When the sun is blazing, conversations stretch long into golden evenings, and the backyard beckons with its promise of grilled food and lazy laughter, the only thing missing is the perfect summer cocktail. It should be something refreshing yet complex, light enough to sip under the sun but layered enough to hold its own as the stars come out. Whether you’re mixing a single drink for a quiet moment on the porch or preparing a pitcher for an impromptu gathering of friends, this is a cocktail that captures the essence of summer in every glass.
Enter the Citrus Basil Smash—a delicious, herbaceous drink that straddles the line between sophistication and simple pleasure. It’s built on a base of gin (or vodka, if that’s your preference), and brings in fresh lemon juice, muddled basil leaves, a touch of honey syrup, and sparkling water for lift. Think of it as lemonade’s worldly cousin—cool, green, slightly sweet, and endlessly drinkable.
This cocktail is an ideal canvas for summer’s freshest ingredients. Basil adds an aromatic, almost peppery twist that elevates it beyond your typical spritz. Lemon keeps it tart and bright, and the honey smooths it all out with mellow sweetness. The real bonus? It scales up beautifully. Prepare a big batch ahead of time, keep it chilled, and just add sparkling water before serving. It’s perfect for porch hangs, garden parties, or cooling down after a long summer hike.
Citrus Basil Smash
Single Cocktail
- 2 oz gin or vodka
- ¾ oz fresh lemon juice
- ½ oz honey syrup (1:1 honey and hot water)
- 4 fresh basil leaves
- Sparkling water to top
- Ice
Instructions:
In a shaker, gently muddle the basil leaves with lemon juice and honey syrup. Add gin and ice, then shake vigorously. Strain into a tall glass filled with ice and top with sparkling water. Garnish with a basil sprig or a lemon wheel.
Batch Version (Serves 8)
- 2 cups gin or vodka
- ¾ cup fresh lemon juice
- ½ cup honey syrup
- 1 packed cup fresh basil leaves (lightly crushed by hand)
- Sparkling water (about 4 cups or two cans)
- Lemon slices and basil sprigs for garnish
- Ice
Instructions:
In a large pitcher, combine the gin, lemon juice, honey syrup, and basil leaves. Let the mixture chill in the fridge for at least an hour (up to 4 hours) to let the flavors meld. Before serving, give it a stir, strain if you prefer a cleaner look, then pour over ice and top each glass with sparkling water. Garnish generously.
The Citrus Basil Smash is everything a summer cocktail should be—bright, light, and easy to love. It doesn’t shout, it whispers cool elegance with a wink. Serve it up and let the season do the rest.
