Correction on 9/30/2018: I errored. This IS the Gin Basil Smash. It is NOT the Basito. I’ll post that next weekend. Sorry! Basito uses brown sugar and rum. Yum.
If I say “Mojito” you know the drill. Mint leaves muddled with simple syrup and lemon juice. Add rum, shake with ice, and savor.
Now, let’s do some substitutions: basil for the mint, gin for the rum. Everything else stays the same in terms of the drink mechanics. But the flavor is surely not the same. This is a wonderfully floral drink, distinct yet subtle. It’s easily made and, in our case, a delight. Our herb garden has never been greener or higher. Here’s our basil, carefully protected with netting from all the adoring deer. Deer like basil and don’t need gin to enjoy it.
This drink will become a staple for you. Even if you, too, have deer.
Basito or Gin Basil Smash
Yield: 1 beverage
Ingredients:
- 10 basil leaves
- 1 ounce simple syrup
- Juice of 1 large lemon
- 2 ounces of floral gin [I like Gunpowder Tea]
Preparation:
Put the basil leaves, syrup and lemon juice in a cocktail shaker. Muddle well. I mean well. Basil is harder to milk than mint leaves. You need muscle and patience.
Add the gin, some ice, shake, and pour into glasses filled with crushed ice.
Source: epicurious.com