Skip advertisement Advertisement

Gin Basil Sour

Difford’s Guide
Discerning Drinkers (95)
Gin Basil Sour image
Measurements in:
Serves:
1
Ingredients
12 fresh Basil leaves
2 fl oz Hayman's London Dry Gin
3⁄4 fl oz Lemon juice (freshly squeezed)
1⁄3 fl oz Sugar syrup 'rich' (2 sugar to 1 water) 65.0°Brix
1⁄2 fl oz Egg white (pasteurised) or 3 dash Fee Brothers Fee Foam cocktail foamer
3 drop Saline solution (20g sea salt to 80g water) or merest pinch of s

Read about cocktail measures and measuring

Difford’s Guide remains free-to-use thanks to the support of the brands in green above.

How to make

Glassware

Serve in a Coupe glass

Prepare

  1. Select and pre-chill a COUPE GLASS.
  2. Prepare garnish of basil leaf.

Method

  1. MUDDLE basil sprigs (no need to pluck leaves from stem) in base of shaker.
  2. Add other ingredients, SHAKE with ice and strain back into shaker.
  3. DRY SHAKE (without ice) to emulsify.
  4. FINE STRAIN into chilled glass.

Garnish

  1. Garnish with a basil leaf boat floated on surface.

Flavour Profile

No alcohol
Medium
Boozy
Sweet
Medium
Dry/sour
More cocktails with similar strength and taste profile

Health & Nutrition

Alcohol content:

We don't have enough information to calculate the alc./vol., but based on known ingredients, this recipe contains at least:

  • 19.5 grams of pure alcohol

Allergens:

Recipe contains the following allergens:

  • Egg white (pasteurised) — Eggs

Values stated for alcohol and calorie content, and number of drinks an ingredient makes should be considered approximate.

History

I'd love to claim credit for this silky riff on Jörg Meyer's contemporary classic Gin Basil Smash, but while the proportions are mine, I've merely reworked Jordan Ajmal's Gin Basil Sours which he added to Difford's Guide as a fellow Discerning Drinker in 2021. Many thanks, Jordan.

When I showed this Gin Basil Sour to Jörg, he reminded me that it's very close to Erik Lorincz's Green Park, created ten years earlier.

Review

As the name suggests, a basil-flavoured gin sour. Yum.

Variations/similar cocktails

Gin Basil Smash
Basil Gimlet
Green Park

Difford’s Shop logo
$2.92 per cocktail*

Makes a minimum of 12.5 cocktails.
Shipping and applicable tax calculated at checkout.


Orders are processed by a licensed Fulproof retailer. The buy now button is added simply for convenience.

Checkout

* May not include all ingredients. Price per cocktail is an estimate based on cost of one cocktail with ingredients shown above and does not include shipping.

Visit Difford’s Shop USA

Gallery

Comments & Discussion

S J H Desmond
Instead of saline, I've used a pinch of salt as an abrasive to help with muddling the leaves.
score: 1
Peter M Premium Member
Like most recipes with leaves, there's a lot of room for variability (leaf sizes, muddling length/intensity, etc.) (especially so with the recipe calling for 12). More precision would be nice, otherwise this may require some experimentation to achieve balance. Nonetheless, a nice option if you're in the mood for a refreshing basil drink, especially at the end of a hot summer day.
score: 1
Paul MATEJCEK Premium Member
Peter, I understand your concern, and I share it. It's as bad a "juice of half a (lime, lemon, whatever)". But what can be done? It's easy to specify a volume of juice, but what could be done about leaves? And what about the variability of muddling technique? I don't see a solution. For me, I sometimes make dated notes on the recipe, just as I do when 'tuning' someone else's recipe to my (or my wife's!) tastes. Sometimes the outcome is multiple variations. In my case, that would include margaritas and daiquiris.
score: 2
Peter M Premium Member
I don't think all variability can be avoided, but I'd imagine something like "X grams of basil (about 12 leaves)" could provide more consistency for those new to the recipe.
score: 2
Giuseppe Commisso
Have you seen my GINovese recipe ?
score: 3
Simon Difford Verified User Premium Member
You have a very similar recipe. Your use of almond milk is a nice touch!
score: 2

View 3 comments and discussion

See more...

Aperitivo/aperitif Cocktails

Aperitivo/aperitif Cocktails image

Palate-cleansing, pre-dinner cocktails, often bittersweet and moderately alcoholic.

View more

Herbal Cocktails

Herbal Cocktails image

Cocktails made with fresh herbs or herbals liqueurs.

View more

Sours (citrus) Cocktails

Sours (citrus) Cocktails image

Cocktails made with sour citrus juice balanced by sugar, honey, liqueur or other sweet ingredient.

View more
Difford’s Shop logo
$2.92 per cocktail*

Makes a minimum of 12.5 cocktails.
Shipping and applicable tax calculated at checkout.


Orders are processed by a licensed Fulproof retailer. The buy now button is added simply for convenience.

Checkout

* May not include all ingredients. Price per cocktail is an estimate based on cost of one cocktail with ingredients shown above and does not include shipping.

Visit Difford’s Shop USA

Desk Job

Desk Job Image

Characterful rums combine and shine in this Rum Manhattan.

View more

Long Martini

Long Martini Image

This "Martini" might be lengthened with lemonade, but it retains the essence of a proper Dry Martini, both in flavour and punch. As with a Martini...

View more

Pompanski Martini

Pompanski Martini Image

Zesty with the sharp freshness of grapefruit and a hint of orange, rounded with dry vermouth.

View more

Geisha Martini

Geisha Martini Image

A Vodka Martini given a Japanese influence with sake and Japanese whisky. Omit the sugar syrup if you like your Martinis bone dry.

View more

Sangaree

Sangaree Image

A light summertime aperitivo.

View more

Port Sangaree

Port Sangaree Image

When perfect dilution is achieved, a Port Sangree is delicious, and that requires good cubed ice, cold dry crushed ice, and powdered sugar. Even a...

View more