Basil Lime Smash Mocktail

This bright green mocktail was inspired by the popular Basil Smash cocktail. The Basil Smash combines fresh lemon, muddled basil, and gin for a very refreshing and crisp drink that's perfect no matter the season.

Here we're using a mix of fresh lime, basil, and green grapes to create layers of sweet, sour, and herbal flavor. If you don't drink, are participating in dry January, or just enjoy a fun non-alcoholic drink now and then, this elevated mocktail is worth a try!

Basil Lime Smash ingredients

With any craft cocktail or mocktail, freshness of ingredients is key. You'll need fresh limes, grapes, and a handful or two of basil leaves. The better quality your fresh ingredients, the better your drink will taste! In addition to the produce, you'll also need a little simple syrup and a splash of sparkling water.

Fresh basil

Unlike some herbs, basil is easy to find in the grocery store year round. Look for bright green leaves that are fragrant and not wilted. You'll need about 12 leaves for this recipe (a little more or a little is fine, but more is always better!)

Green grapes

Green grapes add sweetness, tanginess, and a fruity note to the recipe. Green grapes tend to be more acidic-tasting than other types of grapes. Just make sure that they're not too sour.

Lime juice

Fresh lime juice is the backbone of this mocktail. Slice a whole lime in half and squeeze the juice using a citrus reamer, elbow-style squeezer, or even kitchen tongs! One medium lime will yield about 1 ounce of juice.

Simple syrup

I talk a lot about simple syrup and syrup variations here because once you know how to make simple syrup, you can create SO many great cocktails and mocktails. All you need to do to get started is combine equal parts warm water and sugar in a large measuring cup or mason jar and stir until the sugar dissolves. Store in the fridge for up to two weeks.

Sparkling water

You can omit the sparkling water here, but the bubbles add to the refreshment. You can choose any type of soda water, club soda or seltzer you like, but I do recommend unflavored. Be sure to chill your sparkling water in advance.

Tools for this recipe

The most important tool in this recipe is a solid muddler. I really like this wooden muddler from Barfly, but any muddler will do. If you don't have one, you can use the blunt end of a wooden spoon. Here's a list of everything you'll need for this mocktail:

• Cocktail shaker
• Muddler
• Jigger
• Fine mesh strainer

A fine mesh strainer is very helpful for any drink that has muddled ingredients, but you'll especially want one here because of the volume of muddled mush in the bottom of your shaker. After muddling and shaking with ice, you will pour the mocktail through the shaker's strainer and the fine mesh strainer. This will ensure that you don't have any particles of basil or grape in your finished drink.

How to serve this mocktail

I enjoy serving this smash in cocktail glasses (like the oversized '80s martini glass pictured here). It looks like a gorgeous green martini and it's especially lovely with a basil leaf floated on top. However, some prefer this recipe served like the Gin Basil Smash, on the rocks. Serving it over ice will add a little bit more dilution, but it will also keep it extra chilled. There's no right or wrong, whichever you prefer!

You may also enjoy these other mocktails:

• Blood Orange Turmeric Ginger Mocktail
• Two Ingredient Whipped Lemonade
• Spicy Jalapeno Mule Mocktail
• Blackberry Paloma Mocktail