Martinis are often thought of as a sophisticated cocktail, but maybe you think of them as being too spirit forward to be enjoyable. Thankfully, the world of cocktails is ever-evolving, and people have begun to branch out and experiment, giving the world the little-known basil martini. Basil martini recipes are simple, and you don't need fresh basil leaves at all times, you can consider making or using a basil simple syrup, as well. As with all drinks, how you craft your basil martini recipe is up to you.
Basil Martini
The basil martini is, at its core, nothing more than your preferred spirit between gin and vodka, with some muddled basil and lime. It's simple, beautiful, and your next go-to martini.
Ingredients
- ¼ ounce simple
- 3-4 fresh basil leaves
- 2 ounces vodka, gin, or basil-infused vodka
- ½ ounce dry vermouth
- Ice
- Cucumber slice for garnish
Instructions
- Chill a martini glass or coupe.
- In a cocktail shaker, muddle basil leaves with a splash of simple syrup.
- Add ice, vodka, lime juice, and the remaining simple syrup.
- Stir rapidly to chill.
- Double strain into chilled glass.
- Garnish with cucumber slice.
Gin Basil Martini
The counterpart to the vodka basil martini, this recipe includes green chartreuse to complement the basil and juniper flavors.
Ingredients
- 3-4 fresh basil leaves
- ¼ ounce simple syrup
- 1½ ounces gin
- ½ ounce freshly squeezed lime juice
- ¼ ounce green chartreuse
- 2 slices of cucumber
- Ice
- Cucumber ribbon for garnish
Instructions
- In a cocktail shaker, muddle basil leaves and sliced cucumber with a splash of simple syrup.
- Add ice, gin, lime juice, green chartreuse, and remaining simple syrup.
- Shake to chill.
- Double strain into chilled glass.
- Garnish with cucumber ribbon.
Cilantro Basil Martini
Cilantro can be fairly dividing, but the cilantro is used as a garnish to create an added nose to the cocktail.
Ingredients
- 1½ ounces vodka
- ¾ ounce freshly squeezed lime juice
- ½ ounce simple syrup
- 3-4 fresh basil leaves
- Ice
- Lime wedge, sugar, and cilantro leaf for garnish
Instructions
- Chill a martini glass or coupe.
- Rub the rim of the martini glass or coupe with the lemon wedge.
- With the sugar on a saucer, dip either half or the entire rim of the glass in the sugar to coat.
- In a cocktail shaker, muddle basil leaves with a splash of simple syrup.
- Add ice, vodka, lime juice, and remaining simple syrup.
- Shake to chill.
- Double strain into chilled glass.
- Garnish with a fragrant cilantro leaf.
Strawberry Basil Martini
The savory flavors of the basil play so well with the fruity and juicy strawberry.
Ingredients
- 1 ounce vodka
- ¾ ounce strawberry liqueur
- ½ ounce freshly squeezed lime juice
- ½ ounce basil simple syrup
- Ice
- Basil leaf for garnish
Instructions
- Chill a martini glass or coupe.
- In a cocktail shaker, add vodka, strawberry liqueur, lime juice, and basil simple syrup.
- Shake to chill.
- Double strain into chilled glass.
- Garnish with a basil leaf.
Decadent Basil Martini
This basil martini twist incorporates pieces of a whiskey sour to give a little extra kick. If you are hesitant or prefer not to use egg whites, consider substituting two tablespoons of aquafaba.
Ingredients
- 1½ ounces gin
- ¾ ounce lime juice
- ½ ounce basil simple syrup
- 1 egg white or aquafaba
- Ice
- Basil leaf for garnish
Instructions
- Chill a martini glass or coupe.
- In a cocktail shaker, add gin, lime juice, basil simple syrup, and egg white.
- Dry shake for approximately 45 seconds to mix ingredients and create a froth.
- Add ice to shaker.
- Shake to chill.
- Double strain into chilled glass.
- Garnish with basil leaf.
Lime Basil Martini
Gimlets have just two ingredients, gin and sweetened lime juice. This follows that basil recipe but adds basil to give it a more herbaceous flavor.
Ingredients
- 3-4 fresh basil leaves
- ½ ounce simple syrup
- 1¾ ounces gin
- ½ ounce freshly squeezed lime juice
- Ice
- Lime wheel for garnish
Instructions
- Chill a martini glass or coupe.
- In a cocktail shaker, muddle basil leaves with a splash of simple syrup.
- Add ice, gin, lime juice, and remaining simple syrup.
- Shake to chill.
- Double strain into chilled glass.
- Garnish with lime wheel.
Rosemary Basil Martini
Layering two different herbs into a martini might seem ludicrous, but when you consider all the herbs that go into one dish, two suddenly seem like not enough. This drink gets its color from Empress 1908 gin, which contains butterfly pea flowers that give it its lovely purple color. Give it a try.
Ingredients
- 1½ ounces Empress 1908 gin
- ½ ounce lime juice
- ½ ounce basil simple syrup
- 1 egg white or aquafaba
- Ice
- Rosemary sprig for garnish
Instructions
- Chill a martini glass or coupe.
- In a cocktail shaker, add gin, lime juice, basil simple syrup, and egg white.
- Dry shake for approximately 45 seconds to mix ingredients and create a froth.
- Add ice to shaker.
- Shake to chill.
- Double strain into chilled glass.
- Garnish with rosemary sprig.
Regal Basil Martini
The purple gin gives this basil martini a regal feel, while still being a refreshingly simple recipe.
Ingredients
- 1½ ounces Empress 1908 gin
- ½-¾ ounce basil simple syrup
- Ice
- Champagne to top off
Instructions
- Chill a martini glass or coupe.
- In a cocktail shaker, add ice, gin, and basil simple syrup.
- Stir rapidly to chill.
- Double strain into chilled glass.
- Top off with champagne or sparkling wine.
Watermelon Basil Martini
Watermelon, basil, and feta are a classic summer flavor pairing but don't worry, this recipe skips the feta.
Ingredients
- 1½ ounces watermelon vodka
- ½ ounce raspberry liqueur
- ½ ounce basil simple syrup
- ½ ounce freshly squeezed lime juice
- Ice
- Watermelon chunk for garnish
Instructions
- Chill a martini glass or coupe.
- In a cocktail shaker, add ice, vodka, liqueur, basil simple syrup, and lime juice.
- Shake to chill.
- Double strain into chilled glass.
- Garnish with chunk of watermelon.
Lemon Basil Martini
This lemon basil martini uses lemon liqueur in place of lemon juice to give that citrus flavor without the pucker.
Ingredients
- 1½ ounces vodka
- ¾ ounce lemon liqueur
- ½ ounce simple syrup
- 3-4 fresh basil leaves
- Ice
Instructions
- Chill a martini glass or coupe.
- In a cocktail shaker, muddle basil leaves and a splash of simple syrup.
- Add ice, vodka, lemon liqueur, and simple syrup.
- Shake to chill.
- Double strain into chilled glass.
Stuck in the Muddle With You
Try to use fresh basil; there are few other ingredients, so hiding a subpar herb is difficult. Basil martinis aren't difficult, but they do require a gentler hand than mojitos or other muddled cocktails. You don't need to be as aggressive to draw out the flavor-- rather than pounding the basil, you'll gently grind it to release the essence. As you learn the ebbs and flows of the basil, you can start to add other muddled ingredients, including other herbs or berries. Soon you'll have the answer to what to do with your thriving basil plant.
