Basil Cocktail Recipes With Delicious Depth

Basil is considered by many culinary experts, and amateur chefs to be a fundamental herb that everyone should include in a variety of dishes. The same can be said for basil cocktails, which also exude a similar sense of delicious depth. As summer turns the corner and the gardeners anticipate their overflowing bounties, take a look at some of these refreshing basil cocktail recipes and see which one of them you're most looking forward to trying.

Honey Basil Whiskey Sour

The classic whiskey sour gets an upgrade in this basil cocktail recipe, which combines both basil, honey, and whiskey to create a richly flavored drink.

Ingredients

• 1 lemon slice
• 10 basil leaves, halved
• ½ ounce simple syrup
• 2 ounces honey whiskey
• 2 dashes orange bitters

Instructions

1. In a cocktail shaker, muddle the lemon slices, half of the basil leaves, and simple syrup.
2. Pour in the honey whiskey and bitters; add ice and shake until chilled.
3. Strain into a rocks glass filled with ice and garnish with basil leaves.

Grapefruit Basil Cocktail

Grapefruit is considered one of the most versatile flavors to use when mixing alcoholic drinks, and this grapefruit basil cocktail proves that herbs and fruits are just meant to go together. To mix this recipe, just combine basil simple syrup with grapefruit juice and gin.

Ingredients

• ½ ounce basil simple syrup
• ½ ounce grapefruit juice
• 2 ounces gin or basil-infused vodka
• Ice

Instructions

1. In a cocktail shaker, combine the basil simple syrup, grapefruit juice, and gin or basil vodka.
2. Add ice and shake until chilled.
3. Strain the mixture into a cocktail glass filled with ice and serve.

Chartreuse Gin and Tonic

This chartreuse gin and tonic combats the woodsy aspects of the historic cocktail with it's incorporation of lemon juice and fresh basil.

Ingredients

• ½ ounce freshly squeezed lemon juice
• 4 basil leaves
• 2 ounces gin
• Ice
• Tonic water
• Lemon twist for garnish

Instructions

1. In a cocktail shaker, muddle the lemon juice and basil leaves.
2. Add gin and ice. Shake to chill.
3. Strain the mixture into a collins glass filled with ice and top with tonic water.
4. Garnish with a lemon twist and serve.

Texas Afternoon Highball

In order to escape the overwhelming heat of a Texas afternoon, take a stab at mixing up this simple highball recipe which combines whiskey with basil simple syrup, lemon juice, and peach seltzer.

Ingredients

• ½ ounce freshly squeezed lemon juice
• ½ ounce basil simple syrup
• 1½ ounce whiskey
• Ice
• Peach seltzer

Instructions

1. In a cocktail shaker, combine the lemon juice, basil simple syrup, and whiskey.
2. Add ice and shake until chilled.
3. Strain into a highball glass filled with ice and top with peach seltzer.

Watermelon Basil Tom Collins

Perfect for lake-side vacations and backyard barbeques, this watermelon basil Tom Collins elevates the original recipe by adding watermelon juice and basil simple syrup to the iconic formula.

Ingredients

• ½ ounce watermelon juice
• ½ ounce basil simple syrup
• 2 ounces gin
• Ice
• Watermelon seltzer

Instructions

1. In a cocktail shaker, combine the watermelon juice, basil simple syrup, and gin.
2. Add ice and shake until chilled.
3. Strain the mixture into a cocktail glass filled with ice and top with watermelon seltzer.

Blackberry Basil Mojito

The Blackberry Basil Mojito is made for the adventurous types who enjoy tending to their own herb gardens and exploring the natural world. This particular mojito muddles basil, blackberries, lime, and simple syrup for a drink that evokes memories of summer camp and childhood.

Ingredients

• ½ ounce simple syrup
• 2 lime slices
• 3 blackberries
• 5 basil leaves
• 2 ounces white rum
• Ice
• Club soda

Instructions

1. In a cocktail mixer, add the simple syrup, lime, blackberries, and basil leaves and muddle.
2. Pour in the white rum; add ice and shake until chilled.
3. Strain the mixture into a cocktail glass filled with ice and top with club soda.

Delicious Cocktails With Basil

In the iconic words of legendary chef, Emeril Lagasse, add basil to all of your cocktails with a 'BAM.' Use just a taste of it or coat your next drink liberally in it; either way, basil cocktails are here to stay.