The Basil Smash: A Complete History & Classic Recipe

A handful of fresh basil hits the bottom of a shaker and releases an explosion of aroma—peppery, green, sun-warmed, unmistakably alive. Lemon juice brightens the air. Gin cascades over the herbs, dissolving oils into liquid. Ice rattles. When strained, the drink glows a vibrant herbal green, light catching tiny specks of basil. It smells like a garden after rain.

This is the Basil Smash—a modern classic that emerged not from Prohibition-era lore or tiki exotica, but from the contemporary craft movement. Invented in Germany, beloved worldwide, it redefined what a modern sour could be: bright, herbal, aromatic, and irresistibly fresh.

Let’s explore how the Basil Smash became one of the most influential cocktails of the 21st century, what techniques make it truly shine, and how you can craft the perfect version at home.

I. Origins

The Basil Smash—sometimes called the Gin Basil Smash or simply the Basil Smash—is a relatively young cocktail with a fully documented origin.

Created in 2008 by Jörg Meyer, Hamburg, Germany

The drink was invented at Le Lion • Bar de Paris by bartender and owner Jörg Meyer. Meyer was inspired by the Whiskey Smash and Mojito, wondering what would happen if he treated basil like mint—muddled vigorously into a citrus-forward sour.

He posted an early version of the drink on his blog, prompting bartenders across Europe to recreate it. The cockpit-green drink quickly went viral.

Why Basil?

Herbs were increasingly being explored in cocktails, but basil was rarely the star. Meyer’s insight was that basil pairs beautifully with:

• gin’s botanicals

• lemon’s acidity

• sugar’s softness

The result was herbal, refreshing, and unmistakably modern.

A Smash by Structure

A “smash” in cocktail tradition involves:

• fresh herbs

• citrus

• sugar

• spirit

• an energetic, aromatic build

The Basil Smash follows this formula precisely—but modernizes it with a single, dominant herb.

II. Historical Evolution

2008: Rapid Spread Across Europe

Within months of its creation, the Basil Smash appeared:

• in Germany’s top bars

• across the UK

• in Scandinavian cocktail menus

• in cutting-edge European hotel bars

Its bright green color and herbaceous punch made it instantly iconic.

2010: International Bartender Association Recognition

Though not (yet) an IBA official recipe, the drink became widely cited in new cocktail guides, print media, and industry seminars.

2010s: The Craft Herb Revolution

The Basil Smash helped launch a wave of herbal cocktails that used:

• sage

• thyme

• rosemary

• cilantro

• basil variations

It opened the door for a more culinary, ingredient-driven era of mixology.

Today: A Modern Classic

Widely recognized as one of the defining cocktails of the early 21st century, it appears on menus from Tokyo to New York.

III. Ingredients & Technique

Gin

The drink’s backbone. The ideal style is:

• London Dry (classic and crisp), or

• New Western (botanical and citrus-forward)

Avoid heavily juniper-dominant gins that overpower the basil.

Basil

The star ingredient, and it must be:

• fresh

• aromatic

• bright green

• not wilted or bruised

Sweet basil is traditional, though Thai basil can create an edgier variation.

Lemon Juice

Fresh is mandatory. The acidity balances basil’s grassy qualities.

Simple Syrup

Typically a 1:1 ratio (equal parts sugar and water).It mellows the herbal profile and rounds the sourness.

Technique: The Shake-and-Smash

Basil is muddled—not too lightly, not too aggressively.Over-muddling introduces bitterness.Proper muddling extracts essential oils without tearing the leaves into harsh fragments.

Hard shaking emulsifies:

• basil oils

• gin botanicals

• lemon

• sugar

The drink is always double-strained for a smooth texture.

IV. Cultural Significance

A Defining Cocktail of the Modern Era

While most classics trace to pre-Prohibition or mid-century tiki culture, the Basil Smash is one of the few cocktails from the post-2000 era to gain true global classic status.

A Symbol of “Green Mixology”

It helped drive interest in:

• herbs

• garden cocktails

• culinary techniques in bartending

• fresh, vibrant flavors

Instagram and Visual Culture

Its bright green color made it an early social-media darling—long before Instagram became ubiquitous.

A Cornerstone of European Cocktail Culture

The Basil Smash established Europe, especially Germany, as a source of world-class contemporary cocktails.

V. How to Make the Classic Version Today

Recipe — The Classic Basil Smash

Ingredients

• 2 oz (60 ml) gin

• 1 oz (30 ml) fresh lemon juice

• ¾ oz (22 ml) simple syrup (1:1)

• 1 large handful of fresh basil (10–12 leaves + a small sprig for garnish)

Method

1. Add basil and simple syrup to a shaker.

2. Gently—but firmly—muddle to extract oils.

3. Add gin and lemon juice.

4. Fill the shaker with ice.

5. Shake hard for 10–12 seconds.

6. Double-strain into a rocks glass filled with fresh ice.

7. Garnish with a fresh basil sprig.

Specs

• Glass: Rocks or double Old-Fashioned

• Ice: Cubes

• Garnish: Basil sprig

• Style: Herbal, sour, fresh

Technique Notes

• Don’t pulverize the basil—extract, don’t shred.

• Use fresh basil; older leaves create bitterness.

• Adjust syrup based on lemon sharpness.

• Fine-straining prevents leafy bits from muddling the sip.

Variations & Lineage

• Thai Basil Smash: Use Thai basil for spice and licorice notes

• Gin Basil Fizz: Top with soda water

• Basil Margarita: Replace gin with tequila and lime

• Berry-Basil Smash: Add raspberries or strawberries

• Mezcal Basil Smash: Smoky, herbal, complex

Service & Pairing TipPairs beautifully with:

• Caprese salad

• seafood

• grilled vegetables

• Mediterranean dishes

• citrus desserts

Avoid pairing with heavily spiced dishes—they overshadow the basil.

VI. Modern Variations & Legacy

A Modern Classic with Global Influence

The Basil Smash has inspired countless herb-based sours around the world. It may be the most influential herb-forward cocktail of the last 20 years.

A Drink of Craft Identity

It symbolizes:

• freshness

• simplicity

• technique

• balance

• seasonal ingredients

Legacy

The Basil Smash will likely endure for decades because it captures the essence of modern mixology:fresh, vibrant, aromatic, and deceptively simple.

It is the perfect cocktail for gin lovers, herb lovers, and anyone craving a drink that tastes like summer in a glass.