Basil Smash Gin: History, Botanicals, and Our Basilisk Interpretation
Fresh, herbaceous, and luminous: Gin Basil Smashis one of the most beloved contemporary cocktails, a burst of greenery that combines the purity of gin with the vitality of fresh basil. In this article, we explore its origins, the botanicals that reveal it, and our artisanal interpretation: Basilisk – Gin Basil Smash Ready to Drink, a tribute to the Mediterranean and its scents.
The Story of the Basil Smash: The Green Cocktail That Revolutionized Mixology
The Gin Basil Smash was created in Hamburg in 2008 by German bartender Jörg Meyer. The idea was simple yet revolutionary: replace the mint in the Mojito with fresh basil, while maintaining a structure based on gin, lemon, and sugar.
The result is an immediate and vibrant cocktail, which has given a new direction to modern mixology: a drink capable of enhancing the herbaceous botanicals of the gin without covering them.
The botanicals featured in Basil Smash Gin
Fresh basil: the aromatic soul
Basil is the heart of Basil Smash. Its herbaceous notes and Mediterranean scent emerge clearly thanks to the muddling, the light crushing that releases the essential oils.
Gin: Botanical Structure and Precision
A quality Basil Smash requires a gin that can support the basil without overpowering it. The most suitable botanicals are:
- Juniper– the aromatic backbone
- Lemonor fresh peel – to add brightness
- Mediterranean herbs– bay leaves, mint, rosemary (depending on style)
Lemon and balanced sweetness
The scent of fresh lemon and a balanced sweet component complete the balance between acidity, aroma and structure.
Basilisk: Our artisanal interpretation of Basil Smash Gin
At Naturæ Spirits, we chose to reinterpret Basil Smash through a Mediterranean, botanical, and natural vision. This is how Basilisk was born, a Ready-to-Drink Basil Smash Ginmade with:
- Naturæ Gin Fructetum– fresh and bright botanical base
- Natural basil syrup
- Lemon juicebalanced to the millimeter
The name recalls the basilisk, a legendary creature symbolizing power and magnetism: just like the brilliant and irresistible character of this green cocktail.
Why Basilisk is different from other Basil Smash games
1. Authentic freshness
We use fresh basil and natural ingredients, without artificial flavors.
2. Professional balance
The balance of acidity, sweetness, and herbaceousness is designed to faithfully replicate the cocktail bar experience.
3. Comfort without compromise
Serving the perfect Basil Smash has never been so easy: all you need is ice and a garnishof fresh basil.
Come and enjoy a handcrafted Basil Smash at its best.
- Serve cold: Refrigerate for a few hours or serve over ice.
- Use compact iceto avoid excessive dilution.
- Choose a lowball glassto enhance the aromas.
- Add a fresh basil leafas a finishing touch.
A Mediterranean journey in a glass
Basilisk is not just a ready-to-drink cocktail: it is an invitation to experience the green freshness of the Mediterranean, a natural and authentic tasting experience, ready to serve.
