Gather up the basil and a few lemons from the market and you’re on your way to shaking up a bright martini with subtle complexities. It’s an ideal way to toast the last warm days of summer!
At first whiff there’s an undeniable essence of lemon with that fresh herbal note of basil.
But this cocktail has more layers that continue to unfold with each sip. Floral tones from a fabulous gin swirl with sweet red vermouth and its spicy, earthy quality. Limoncello, that playful lemon liqueur dances with the fresh lemon in your glass.
The change on the calendar leaves us yearning for fall but it clearly feels like the peak of summer outside. While looking for a beverage to enjoy on these sunny days, this delightful chilled cocktail seemed to fit!
This martini starts with basil muddled with simple syrup. And in the South anything with simple syrup is promising.
Then pour in the trio of spirits and freshly squeezed lemon juice.
Fill the shaker with ice then give it a good shake until it’s mixed and really, really cold.
Pour it up in your favorite martini glass, top with a touch of basil and enjoy this bit of sunshine in a glass!
For the vermouth, I used sweet red which adds an undertone of spice, but sweet white vermouth can also be used.
Basil and Lemon Martinis
8 basil leaves, 10 to 12 if they’re small
1-½ tablespoons simple syrup*
½ cup good gin, such as Plymouth
2 tablespoons limoncello
2 tablespoons sweet red or white vermouth
2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
Ice for shaking
Extra basil for garnish
Toss the basil leaves into a cocktail shaker. Pour in the simple syrup and using a muddler crush the leaves into the syrup.
Add the gin along with the limoncello, the vermouth, and the lemon juice.
Fill the shaker with ice and shake until the martini is mixed and very cold, about 30 seconds.
Pour the martinis through the cocktail strainer into martini glasses or cocktail coupes. Top with a leaf or two of fresh basil.
Makes 2 generous martinis.
*To make a basic simple syrup:
2 cups water
3 cups sugar
Pour the water into a small saucepan, stir in the sugar. Warm over medium heat, stirring occasionally until the sugar has completely dissolved. Keep refrigerated.
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Basil and Lemon Martinis
Equipment
- cocktail shaker
Ingredients
- 8 basil leaves, 10 to 12 if they’re small
- 1-½ tablespoons simple syrup*
- ½ cup good gin, such as Plymouth
- 2 tablespoons limoncello
- 2 tablespoons sweet red vermouth
- 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
- Ice for shaking
- Extra basil for garnish
Instructions
- Toss the basil leaves into a cocktail shaker. Pour in the simple syrup and using a muddler crush the leaves into the syrup.
- Add the gin along with the limoncello, the vermouth, and the lemon juice.
- Fill the shaker with ice and shake until the martini is mixed and very cold, about 30 seconds.
- Pour the martinis through the cocktail strainer into martini glasses or cocktail coupes.
- Top with a leaf or two of fresh basil.
