The gin basil smash is the youngest cocktail to make it into the canon of modern classics – invented in Hamburg in 2008 and a fixture on every good bar menu since. The original recipe calls for fresh basil, a muddler and patience.
Our version takes a shortcut without cutting corners on flavour: Basilico, our basil-lemon liqueur, delivers that green, peppery basil aroma ready-made – no muddling, no herb confetti in the strainer. Alongside it: our Madame Geneva Gin, a retro-style gin that goes looking for gin's roots and finds them, with clear juniper notes that make you want that first sip. Lemon juice adds the fresh kick, and a touch of sweetness keeps everything in balance. The result: a drink that tastes alive without overwhelming – which is exactly why it works every single time.
The recipe
Ingredients
- Ice cubes
- 3 cl Basilico basil-lemon liqueur
- 3 cl Madame Geneva Gin
- 1 cl fresh lemon juice
- Basil leaves & lemon slice to garnish
Method
- Fill a rocks glass generously with ice.
- Pour in Basilico, gin and lemon juice.
- Stir well, garnish with fresh basil and lemon.
Purist upgrade: shake everything with ice for 10 seconds and strain over fresh ice – colder still, with the flavours knitted more tightly together.
The bottles behind it
Basilico (0.7 l): basil was once considered an aphrodisiac; today it's the star of Mediterranean cooking – and in our liqueur its spicy-sweet aroma meets the cheerful zing of lemon. Madame Geneva Gin: back to the roots – a gin that tastes the way gin might have tasted a century ago, with juniper at its heart. Both distilled by Krugmann in Meinerzhagen, where tradition has met curiosity since 1867.
FAQ
How does this differ from the original gin basil smash?
The original (Bar Le Lion, Hamburg 2008) muddles fresh basil with sugar syrup. Our Basilico replaces both – basil aromatics and sweetness – in one step. Faster, more consistent, and no leaf debris in the glass.
What's the right glass?
Classically a rocks glass with plenty of ice. For an aperitivo round, a small coupe works too – shake first and serve without ice.
Can I use a different gin?
Yes – just pick a juniper-forward gin that can stand up to the basil. Floral, citrusy new-western gins tend to get lost in the Basilico.
More gin moments
Please enjoy responsibly. Not for sale to anyone under 18.
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