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A rocks glass filled with a red strawberry basil smash cocktail over crushed ice, garnished with chopped fresh basil, coarse sugar, and a whole strawberry on the rim, with fresh strawberries beside the glass and bokeh lights in the background.

Refreshing Strawberry Basil Smash Cocktail

A vibrant, garden-fresh cocktail featuring muddled sweet strawberries, peppery basil leaves, bright lemon juice, and your choice of gin or vodka, served over crushed ice.
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Prep Time 5 minutes
Total Time 5 minutes
Servings: 1 cocktail
Course: Drinks
Calories: 180
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 4 large Fresh strawberries Hulled and quartered, plus 1 for garnish
  • 5 leaves Fresh basil Torn, plus a sprig for garnish
  • 2 oz Gin or Vodka Omit for a mocktail
  • ½ oz Simple syrup Or honey/agave
  • ½ oz Lemon juice Freshly squeezed
  • 1 splash Club soda To top
  • 1 cup Crushed ice Essential for serving

Equipment

  • 1 Cocktail shaker To chill the drink
  • 1 Wooden Muddler To extract fruit juices
  • 1 Rocks Glass For serving

Method
 

  1. Place the quartered strawberries, torn basil leaves, and simple syrup into a cocktail shaker.
  2. Use a wooden muddler to firmly crush the strawberries and gently bruise the basil leaves.
  3. Pour the gin (or vodka) and fresh lemon juice into the shaker over the muddled fruit.
  4. Fill the shaker with solid ice cubes and shake vigorously for 15 seconds until very cold.
  5. Fill a rocks glass with crushed ice and strain the cocktail mixture over the top.
  6. Add a splash of club soda and garnish with a fresh strawberry and a sprig of smacked basil.

Notes

When muddling, press the strawberries firmly to extract their juice, but be gentle with the basil to avoid releasing bitter flavors into the drink.