Green Basil Gimlet

Name: Green Basil Gimlet
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 5 min
Total time: 15 min
Yield: 1 drink; the batch below makes 6
Ingredients: 0.5 cup sugar; 0.5 cup water (120 ml); 1 cup packed fresh basil leaves; 2 oz gin (60 ml); 0.75 oz fresh lime juice (22 ml); 0.75 oz basil syrup (22 ml); basil leaf; 1.5 cups gin (360 ml); 0.5 cup + 1 tbsp lime juice (135 ml); 0.5 cup + 1 tbsp basil syrup (135 ml); 0.5 cup cold water (120 ml)

A gimlet is gin, lime and sugar, and nothing else, which is why it rewards good ingredients. A basil syrup turns it from a classic into something your guests will ask about. It is a perfect pre-dinner drink: sharp, aromatic and light.

1 drink; the batch below makes 6Yield

EasyDifficulty

What you'll need

0.5 cup sugar
0.5 cup water (120 ml)
1 cup packed fresh basil leaves
2 oz gin (60 ml)
0.75 oz fresh lime juice (22 ml)
0.75 oz basil syrup (22 ml)
basil leaf
1.5 cups gin (360 ml)
0.5 cup + 1 tbsp lime juice (135 ml)
0.5 cup + 1 tbsp basil syrup (135 ml)
0.5 cup cold water (120 ml)

How to make it

Dissolve the sugar in the hot water. Drop the basil into the hot syrup for 10 seconds, then plunge the pan into ice water, blend, strain and chill. It will keep its green colour.
Shake the gin, lime and syrup hard with ice for 12 seconds.
Double-strain into a chilled coupe and float a basil leaf on top.
Glass: Chilled coupe. Garnish: A single basil leaf floating on top.

Chef's secrets

Blanching the basil briefly keeps the syrup bright green instead of brown.

A good London dry gin is exactly right.

Good to know

Make ahead

The syrup keeps for a week. The 6-drink batch can be mixed and kept chilled for a day; pour over ice or shake briefly to serve.