Cocktail Atlas

Cucumber Basil Smash

A refreshing cocktail with cucumber and basil.

Cocktail Atlas · Updated

Spirit
Gin
Glass
Rocks glass
Method
Shaken
Difficulty
Beginner

Riff on: Whiskey Sour

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A bright green drink over ice in a rocks glass, garnished with a large basil leaf

Cucumber Basil Smash

Ingredients

Ingredients for Cucumber Basil Smash. Tick each one as you add it.
AddedMeasureIngredient
2 oz
1 oz
½ oz

Steps

  1. Muddle cucumber and basil with simple syrup and lime juice.
  2. Add gin and ice, shake well.
  3. Strain into an ice-filled rocks glass.
  4. Garnish with cucumber slice and basil leaf.

Garnish Cucumber slice and basil leaf

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Batch it For a party of 4–20

Makes 8 drinks, about 35 oz · 1050 ml before ice.

Cucumber Basil Smash batch
AmountIngredient
16 oz · 480 mlGin
8 oz · 240 mlLime Juice
4 oz · 120 mlSimple Syrup
Fresh Cucumber
Fresh Basil
7 oz · 210 mlCold water, for dilution (approx.)

The water stands in for the melt from shaking: about 25% for a shaken drink. It is an approximation, so taste and adjust. Chill the batch at least 2 hours and pour over fresh ice.

Use a 2 liter pitcher, or split it between two 1 liter bottles.

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Why it works

A smash is a short, muddled drink. Cucumber gives a cool, fresh juice, basil adds a peppery-sweet aroma, and lime and simple syrup balance each other. Gin’s botanicals pair naturally with both. Shaking with ice releases the flavors, and serving over ice keeps it cold.

Substitutions

  • Mint works in place of basil.
  • Vodka gives a cleaner drink.
  • Lemon in place of lime is softer.

Variations

Questions

What is a smash?
A short drink with muddled herbs and fruit, served over ice.
Should the cucumber be muddled?
Muddling releases more juice; shaking alone gives a lighter flavor.

Making it: Cucumber Basil Smash

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