It’s been an unseasonably warm, late spring day and we’ve been digging a duck pond.
It’s time for a drink. It’s not quite warm enough for the icy summer staples (gin and tonic, I’m looking at you) but the moody drinks of winter are just too emo for a day of high cirrus clouds against a clear blue sky (sorry, Manhattan, you’re on hiatus until October).
A day like today, with the garden coming up green and the flowers starting to burst open, is perfect for the Basil Bliss.
A classic ratio – equal parts sweet and tart added a serious dose of strong gin – the Basil Bliss earns a place in the cocktailing repertoire because of its namesake herb. Short of pesto-izing the thing, the more sweet and pungent basil you muddle into this drink the better it seems to get.
St Germain, or your elderflower liqueur of choice, adds sweetness to the gin and herbal notes of the basil and a splash of club soda keeps the drink light.
The Basil Bliss
You will need:
- Gin (we use Hendricks for much of our mixing)
- St. Germain, or another elderflower-flavored liqueur of your choice
- Lemon
- Fresh Sweet Basil
- Club soda or your favorite unflavored fizzy water
Muddle together the elderflower liqueur, lemon juice, gin and fresh basil in a mason jar or shaker filled with ice.
Shake hard and strain the drink into a cocktail glass. Garnish with a sprig of fresh basil and serve immediately.
Printable Recipe
The Basil Bliss
Ingredients
- 2 1/4 oz Gin
- 3/4 oz St. Germain elderflower liqueur
- 3/4 oz freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 4 to 6 large basil leaves (more if they are small)
- 1 to 2 oz club soda
Instructions
- Add the basil leaves, St. Germain elderflower liqueur, lemon juice and gin to a cocktail shaker. Half fill with ice and muddle vigorously to bruise the basil.
- Shake, then strain into a cocktail glass. Don't worry if a few flecks of basil make it through.
- Top with a quick splash of club soda and serve immediately with garnish of basil sprig.
Happy weekend! Enjoy your herbal cocktail responsibly!
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Hooray, it’s Friday! (Already?) Your weekly drink recipes have have booted out the calendar app. More fun this way!
I love any cocktail that combines gin with St. Germain. Thank you for sharing! Sounds so refreshing and summery.
As a contingency, if you’re out of club soda (it happens, I know, and always at the worst of moments), reduce the St. Germain by 1/3 to 1/2 to keep the drink from ending up too sweet. CO2 tastes as bitter on the tongue, so if you’re going to carbonate something or add a zesty club soda splash, factor that into your recipe.
Ummm, yes please?
This sounds so refreshing and delicious for a hot afternoon! I’ve never really used St. Germain before — super interesting.
We tried this last night. Well, an approximate version substituting the elder flower liquor for cordial instead so more of a watered down gimlet I guess. Still very nice though. I think I’m going to try it with different herbs like thyme maybe…
This drink sounds perfect for a multitude of reasons: sounds refreshing, I love Gin, I’ve been wanting to try the St. Germain elderflower liqueur, and it just sounds like my type of drink. Lately I’ve been thinking of combining watermelon and basil together. Thinking maybe watermelon cubes skewered with basil and topped with a balsamic glaze for a refreshing appetizer. Gotta love the spring & summer months! Thank you for the recipe.
Ohhhhhhh, man! We tried this over the weekend and LOVED it. Only had enough St Germain to make 2 of these, but I’m stopping by the store tonight to get some more. It is really refreshing and tastes a bit like a sweet tart! When the St Germain ran out, we tried making one with cointreau instead. It was too mellow and boring for my taste (surprisingly), the flowery goodness of the St Germain really does good stuff. Yum.
Enjoying this enormously right now. The basil must be pinched! Thinking that in a few weeks we might garnish it with a cocktail pick loaded with cherry tomatoes and little mozzarella balls…..basil caprese bliss!
Popped over here after you posted on our blog about this drink. OMG it sounds wonderful! I’ going this week to buy gin and st germain. I’ll keep you posted. Thanks!!!
Meant for this comment to appear under Kristin P’s comment because she sent us this direction. Thank you Erica for the recipe!!
All good! Happy to meet you either way! 🙂
Gak! I’m sorry, I just can’t take the taste of gin. I might give this a go with vodka.