Berry Basil Gin and Tonic Cocktail
This berry basil gin and tonic is a fresh and fruity summer cocktail made with muddled berries, basil, lime, gin, and tonic water. It’s simple and easy to make, and perfect for warm evenings and summertime gatherings.
I created this berry basil gin and tonic cocktail last summer for a quick happy hour with friends on our patio. Our backyard blackberries were at their peak, my herb garden was thriving, and since gin and tonics have always been one of my faves, it felt like the perfect excuse to give the classic cocktail a fresh summertime twist.
I muddled the berries and basil with a little sugar and lime juice, then let everything sit for a few minutes so the berries became nice and juicy and the basil could infuse its fresh herbal flavor. Topped with gin, tonic water, and plenty of ice, it’s light, refreshing, and made for warm summer evenings. I added blueberries to this recipe here for extra berry flavor, and to show just how easily this cocktail can be adapted with whatever fresh berries you have on hand.
Why you’ll love this summer cocktail
- The flavor is very light and refreshing, perfect for summer!
- You can use whatever berries you have or like.
- It feels like what you’d get at a nice restaurant or bar.
- But very simple to make at home!
Ingredients you’ll need
- Mixed berries: Use blackberries, blueberries, raspberries or strawberries, or a combination.
- Fresh basil: Adds a lightly sweet, herbal flavor that pairs beautifully with berries and gin.
- Lime: Brightens the flavor.
- Sugar: Adds just a touch of sweetness, and helps the berries release their natural juices.
- Gin: Use whatever gin you like! Use London Dry for a very crisp flavor, or a gin with more dynamic botanical flavor.
- Tonic water: Fever tree and Q Drinks are my favorite brands.
- Ice
How to make berry basil gin and tonic
- Muddle berries and basil along with sugar and lime juice, smashing them with a muddler or fork until berries are broken up.
- Let mixture rest in the fridge for at least 15 minutes to let flavors mingle (or longer if you want to prep this step ahead of time).
- Make drinks. Divide berries between two glasses, then add gin, plenty of ice, and top with tonic.
- Serve and enjoy! Garnish with more berries and basil.
Variations
Of course, there’s a wide variety of ways you can play with this simple summer cocktail recipe!
- Use other fruit like peaches or cherries— either instead of, or combined with, mixed berries.
- Try different herbs like mint or thyme.
- Make it non-alcoholic by leaving out the gin and increasing the amount of tonic water.
- Make a pitcher for a bigger group! Scale up the recipe, making the berry mixture in a pitcher before adding gin and ice. You can add tonic water to the pitcher, or to individual servings.
More summer cocktail recipes
Berry Basil Gin and Tonic
Ingredients
- ¼ cup berries (blackberries, blueberries, raspberries, strawberries
- 2 teaspoons granulated sugar
- ½ lime , juiced
- 1 stem fresh basil with leaves
- 3 ounces gin
- Ice
- 8 ounces tonic water , or as needed to top glasses
- Whole berries, more basil, fresh lime , for garnish (optional)
Equipment
Instructions
- Add berries, sugar, lime juice and basil stem to a bowl and muddle or mash with a fork until berries are broken up. Let this sit for at least 15 minutes in the fridge until sugar is dissolved and berries have released their juices.
- Divide berry mixture between 2 glasses. You can remove the basil entirely or divide the leaves between the glasses, discarding the stem.
- Add 1 ½ oz of gin to each glass and fill most of the way with ice. Top with tonic water and garnish with berries, fresh basil and/or lime, as desired.
Notes
- Make ahead instructions: Berry mixture will keep in an airtight container in the fridge for at least 24 hours. You may wish to remove the basil after a few hours so the herb flavor isn’t too overpowering.
- Variations: Use a combination of berries or just one type of berry, use other fruit like peaches or cherries. Use other herbs like mint or thyme.
