Drinks News

Signature Drink: Sweetwater’s Basil Smash

A simple twist on a gin classic.

Sweetwater's Basil Smash
A simple twist on a gin classic.
Want to expand your gin-drinking horizons over summer? Sweetwater's Basil Smash takes the classic Gin Sour and freshens it up with the addition of, yes, fresh basil. "The sweetness comes from the basil rather than the sugar and it merges everything together," says Sweetwater bar manager Matteo Scarano. The drink was originally created by Jörg Meyer at Le Lion in Hamburg, but has found plenty of friends Down Under. "It's a really well-balanced drink that's perfect for summer." Sweetwater's version is made with common basil, but other herbs - cinnamon basil and pineapple sage in particular - can also be used to winning effect.
Shake 45ml The West Winds The Sabre gin, 30ml lemon juice, 20ml sugar syrup and five basil leaves with ice and double-strain into a rocks glass or tumbler filled with crushed ice. Garnish with basil and serve.
Sweetwater Rooftop Bar, level 6, 1 Silas St, East Fremantle, WA, (08) 9387 0888, sweetwaterbar.com.au
SHAREPIN