Basil Cucumber Smash Recipe

This Basil and Cucumber Smash recipe creates a light and fragrant cocktail, muddled with basil leaves, cucumber, and ice, then finished off with gin and a splash of club soda.  It’s a refreshing drink you’ll want to drink all through summer!

Basil and cucumber pair great with the earthy floral notes in gin, making for a refreshing and unique cocktail.

For those looking for a reason to celebrate, next on the calendar is Flag Day–I have had a mad crush on a boy born on Flag Day–and if that isn’t reason enough, June 14, also happens to be National Gin Day!

In celebration of all things June, fashionable straw designer Straw Envy offers this refreshing recipe to sip with style this holiday.

Gin or Vodka?

You can celebrate again on October 4th, for National Vodka Day by reaching for the vodka instead of the gin.

it’s totally your preference. 

Drink this Cucumber and Basil Smash every day in between National Gin Day and National Vodka Day.

Cucumber and basil are a winning combination. 

What is a Smash?

A “smash” is a category of cocktails somewhat similar to a julep.

The most common Smash may be the Whiskey Smash which is basically whiskey, mint and sugar. 

Smash however has come to include citrus, most commonly lemon juice.

Think of a Smash as a boozy lemonade.

The “smash” part gets its name from when you muddle the fruit or herbs.

Consider also muddling seasonal berries for a flavorful variation.

How to Muddle:

Muddling is a technique used in drinks to gently mash herbs or fruit to release their juices.

Think of Muddling,  as an art.

The art of crushing fruit, sugar, and herbs to pull out flavors and help them bind with alcohol.

It’s a technique that’s sure to make you a sought after hostess and one of the skills needed in the art of mixology.

Muddling is used in many popular cocktails, like the Mojito and this one.

You don’t need much skill, but it’s important to note, you don’t want to muddle your herbs to the pulp.

Place the mint leaves at the bottom of a cocktail shaker or sturdy glass..

Using a wooden cocktail muddler or unfinished wooden spoon, gently mash, by pressing down on the “muddled” and twisting, the herb 3 to 4 times to release the juices.