Gin and Cucumber Basil Smash – a light and refreshing drink with muddled basil and cucumber, a hint of lemon and plenty of ice – perfect for summer.

Tall image of gin, cucumber and basil cocktails in mason jars, on a metal tray. There are ingredients for the cocktail scattered on the tray.
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I’ve been making this cocktail for years now (in fact I first published the recipe for this in 2017). It’s such a delightfully refreshing drink.
Everything is perfectly balanced, so no flavour overpowers another.

Serve it up on a hot summers day with a table full of crisps, nuts and nibbles. What could be better!

📋 What do we need?

Ingredients for gin and cucumber basil smash cocktail on a wooden table.

There are some many great gins available – so use your favourite. It’s best to go with a regular gin, rather than a gin that has extra flavours though – as you want the cucumber and basil to really shine through.

📺 Watch how to make it

Full recipe with detailed steps in the recipe card at the end of this post.

  1. Muddle up cucumber and basil in a cocktail shaker or jug (just give it a bit of bash to release the flavours).
  2. Add sugar syrup, gin, lemon juice and crushed ice, then give that cocktail shaker a good shake.
  3. Strain into a glass filled with ice (I like to add a sugar rim to my glass before I strain the cocktail in, but that’s optional).
  4. Decorate with strips of cucumber and fresh basil leaves.

👩‍🍳PRO TIP You can buy sugar syrup in the supermarket, but it’s REALLY easy to make your own. Simply boil 2 parts water with 1 part sugar, stir until dissolved and allow to cool.

Overhead image of three mason jars filled with gin, cucumber and basil cocktails. There are cucumber ribbons and sliced lemons on the tray around the cocktails.

🍹Alcohol-free version

You can of course replace the gin with non-alcoholic gin if you’re looking for a no-alcohol version. My favourites are ‘CleanCo Clean G‘, ‘Caleño Light & Zesty Tropical Non-Alcoholic Spirit‘ and ‘Tanqueray Alcohol Free Spirit‘.

Two gin, cucumber and basil cocktails in mason jars with a sugar rim. There are ingredients scattered around the glasses.

🫙Where to find the mason jars

These are 240ml (8oz) quilted mason jars that I picked up from Amazon.
Here’s the link (fyi – it’s an affiliate link) – to the Mason Jars.

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5 from 4 votes

Gin and Cucumber Basil Smash

Gin and Cucumber Basil Smash – A light and fragrant cocktail you’ll want to drink all through summer!
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes
Servings: 1 glass
Course: Drinks
Cuisine: British

Ingredients

  • 2 tbsp granulated sugar for decorating the glass – optional
  • 8 basil leaves
  • 8 slices cucumber about 5mm thick
  • 2 tbsp sugar syrup *See Tip
  • 50 ml (1.75 oz) gin Tanqueray or Hendricks is a good choice
  • 1 tbsp lemon juice
  • crushed ice
  • splash of tonic water my fave is naturally light Fever Tree
  • strips of cucumber use a vegetable peeler to make these
  • a few basil leaves to decorate
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Instructions 

  • Make a sugar rim on the glass by dipping the rim of the glass in a sauce of water. Spread the sugar on another saucer and dip the rim of the glass in the sugar.
    2 tbsp granulated sugar
  • Place the basil leaves and cucumber in a cocktail shaker and muddle (or gently bash) with a muddler or wooden spoon until the basil and cucumber are bruised and the scent is released.
    8 basil leaves, 8 slices cucumber
  • Add the sugar syrup, gin, lemon juice, and ice. Shake vigorously until frost forms on the outside of the cocktail shaker.
    2 tbsp sugar syrup, 50 ml (1.75 oz) gin, 1 tbsp lemon juice, crushed ice
  • Fill your glass with ice and strain the cocktail into the glass.
  • Top up with tonic water. Decorate with strips of cucumber and basil leaves.
    splash of tonic water, strips of cucumber, a few basil leaves to decorate

Video

Notes

How to make sugar syrup
  • Boil 2 parts cold water with 1 part granulated sugar, whilst stirring constantly for 3-4 mins – until the sugar dissolves.
  • Turn off the heat and leave to cool
  • Use right away, or pour into a sterilised jar and keep in the fridge for up to a month.
I make a little batch of about half a cup of sugar with one cup of of water – which gives me about 15-16 tablespoons.
Can I make it ahead?
You can make the sugar syrup ahead, but I recommend making the cocktail right before you serve it – for the freshest flavours from the basil and cucumber.
The Mason Jars
These are 240ml (8oz) quilted mason jars that I picked up from Amazon.
Here’s the link (fyi – it’s an affiliate link) – to the Mason Jars.
Nutritional Information is per serving (this recipe is for one glass).

Nutrition

Calories: 159kcal | Carbohydrates: 10g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 8mg | Potassium: 103mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 9g | Vitamin A: 210IU | Vitamin C: 8mg | Calcium: 16mg | Iron: 1mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

This post was first published in June 2017. Updated May 2022 with a recipe video and some housekeeping.

Some of the links in this post may be affiliate links – which means if you buy the product I get a small commission (at no extra cost to you). If you do buy, then thank you! That’s what helps us to keep Kitchen Sanctuary running. The nutritional information provided is approximate and can vary depending on several factors. For more information please see our Terms & Conditions.

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Hi, I'm Nicky and I love to cook! I want to share with you my favourite, delicious family friendly recipes. I want to inspire you to create fantastic food for your family every day.

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Comments

  1. Rosie says:

    5 stars
    Deeeeeelicious!!

  2. Donna says:

    5 stars
    So refreshing! Used ROXOR gin and Topo Chico

  3. Nikki M says:

    5 stars
    My cocktail recipe of choice while on vacay in Destin, FL… now home, and my new fave!

    1. Margaret says:

      I don’t like sweet drinks much, is this quite sweet or mildly sweet. I love these flavours.

  4. Diane says:

    Ah basil and cucumber!! The smell and taste of summer in this beautifully fresh cocktail.
    Thank you!

  5. Kath says:

    5 stars
    What can I say, just my new favourite way to enjoy a cheeky G & T 😘