Watermelon & Basil Cocktail

Difford’s Guide
Discerning Drinkers (30 ratings)
  • Watermelon & Basil Cocktail Image

    Watermelon & Basil Cocktail

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Watermelon & Basil Cocktail image

Glass:

Photographed in an UB Retro Coupe 1910

Ingredients:
1 slice Watermelon (fresh) chopped
7 fresh Basil leaves
2 fl oz Hayman's London Dry Gin
1⁄2 fl oz Sugar syrup 'rich' (2 sugar to 1 water, 65.0°Brix)
× 1 1 serving
Read about cocktail measures and measuring

Prepare:

  1. Select and pre-chill a COUPE GLASS.
  2. Prepare garnish of watermelon wedge.

How to make:

  1. Cut watermelon into 16 segments, chop the flesh from one segment into cubes and MUDDLE in base of shaker.
  2. Add other ingredients and SHAKE with ice.
  3. FINE STRAIN into chilled glass.

Garnish:

  1. Garnish with watermelon wedge on rim.

Strength & taste guide:

No alcohol
Medium
Boozy
Strength 6/10
Sweet
Medium
Dry/sour
Sweet to sour 6/10
More cocktails with similar strength and taste profile

Review:

Refreshing watermelon with interesting herbal hints from the basil and gin.

View readers' comments

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

Difford’s Guide remains free-to-use thanks to the support of the brands in green above. Values stated for alcohol and calorie content, and number of drinks an ingredient makes should be considered approximate.

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Benedikt’s Avatar Benedikt
23rd July 2025 at 10:13
This was pretty lacking. To sweet, to full bodied and no acidity to balance it out. Added about 10ml of lemon juice and a dash of orange bitters, which made it quite enjoyable.
1
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Cynthia Johnson’s Avatar Cynthia Johnson
12th November 2024 at 23:26
It would be helpful to have a weight measurement for the watermelon. There are very little ones and very big ones. 1/16th isn’t helpful
3
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John Hinojos’ Avatar John Hinojos
27th June 2023 at 00:26
This was delicious. Key is that your watermelon must be ripe and flavourful. Did adjust the sugar down as we find fruit cocktails a bit sweet for us. You get hints of basil, watermelon, and cucumber. Gin add some herbal notes. Also added a few drops of Difford's Daiquiri Bitters. Tamed the sweetness and added some additiona herbal tones.
1
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Richard Forbes’ Avatar Richard Forbes
14th November 2025 at 15:14
Just need to call out, that we added the Daiquiri bitters as you suggested. It makes a massive difference. Well done!
2
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Florian Ruf’s Avatar Florian Ruf
25th April 2022 at 15:21
Although I doubted this cocktail was convincing. I added a barspoon (0,5cl) lime juice (could be even more) and could also imagine some herbal liqueur as addition.
2
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Kalle Wigren’s Avatar Kalle Wigren
23rd May 2025 at 19:04
I tried with 1cl lime juice and 0,75 green herbsl liqueur. Tasty!
1
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Angela Knox’s Avatar Angela Knox
8th March 2022 at 22:38
Bit too sweet for me; I would try half as much sugar syrup. Very refreshing though
2
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Avatar

Anonymous

7th September 2021 at 00:32
We love savory, vegetal cocktails, but this is missing something.
2
reply
Sean Tiernan’s Avatar Sean Tiernan
16th November 2021 at 07:07
I subbed the basil leaves out for a slice of cucumber and it worked a treat. Added an intense savoury note that you wouldn’t get from the basil.
3
reply
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