← Recipe archiveCocktail
Basil Gimlet
A bright gin gimlet shaken with fresh basil and lime — herbal, citrusy, and served cold in a coupe.
DifficultyEasyTotal time5 minServes1
Overview
Prep5 min
Cook0 min
Total5 min
Servings1
DifficultyEasy
Ingredients
Equipment
- Cocktail shaker
- Muddler
- Cocktail glass
Method
01
Muddle the basil
In a cocktail shaker, muddle 5 of the basil leaves with the lime juice and rich simple syrup until the basil is very aromatic.
02
Shake with gin
Fill the shaker with ice and add the gin. Shake vigorously until the shaker frosts on the outside.
03
Strain and garnish
Strain into a chilled cocktail glass and garnish with the remaining basil leaf. Serve immediately.
Tips
NoteMake rich simple syrup ahead: boil 2 parts sugar to 1 part water, then cool.
NoteUse a chilled coupe so the gimlet stays cold to the last sip.
NoteSwap gin for vodka if you want a softer, cleaner herbal note.
Nutrition
NoteNutrition varies by ingredient brands and serving size.
Storage
Best freshShake and serve right away so the basil stays bright green.
SyrupRich simple syrup keeps in a sealed bottle in the fridge at least 1 month.
Frequently asked
Can I use vodka instead of gin?+
Yes, the recipe works with either; gin leans more botanical, vodka more neutral.
What is rich simple syrup?+
It is 2 parts sugar to 1 part water, boiled then cooled, thicker than regular syrup.
How many basil leaves do I need?+
Six total: five to muddle and one pretty leaf to garnish.
Related recipes
Little thoughts from readers
A small corner for words, memories and gentle feelings.
No notes yet. Leave the first little message.
Leave a little note
Tell June what this page made you feel.