Gin Basil Smash cocktail

Instructions

Bartender’s method: set aside a single basil leaf. Place the remaining basil leaves and the lemon sour mix into a cocktail shaker. Muddle the basil: using the end of a wooden spoon (or a muddler if you have one), gently press and twist down on the basil to release its flavour. Add ice and gin. Shake well. Double strain into an ice-filled rocks glass or tumbler. Garnish with the reserved basil leaf.
Quick method: combine all the ingredients in an ice-filled cocktail shaker. Shake hard. Dump the contents, ice and all, into a tumbler or rocks glass and enjoy all the bits of shredded basil in the drink.

Fresh lemon sour mix
167ml water
167g sugar
250ml lemon juice
First make a simple syrup. Heat the water and pour over the sugar, stirring to dissolve. Once fully dissolved, combine with the lemon juice to make 500ml fresh lemon sour mix.