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FruitHerbalSummer

Blackberry Basil Smash

Muddled fruit and herbs, sharp with lemon. Looks impressive and takes five minutes.

Prep
5 min
Serves
1
Glass
Rocks
Difficulty
Easy

Ingredients

  • 5 blackberries, plus one to garnish
  • 5 basil leaves
  • 0.75 oz fresh lemon juice
  • 0.5 oz simple syrup
  • 2 oz soda water
  • Crushed ice

Method

  1. 1Muddle the blackberries with the lemon juice and syrup in a shaker.
  2. 2Add the basil and press it gently once — bruising basil hard makes it bitter.
  3. 3Add ice and shake for 10 seconds.
  4. 4Double-strain over crushed ice in a rocks glass, top with soda, and garnish with a blackberry and a basil leaf.

Notes

  • Basil goes bitter fast. One gentle press is all it needs.
  • Raspberries or blueberries work identically if blackberries aren't around.
  • A pinch of black pepper sounds odd and is excellent here.

Make one of these next

  • Pink Lemonade

    Coloured with real fruit rather than syrup, and sharp enough to actually be refreshing.

  • Strawberry Lemonade

    Real macerated strawberries rather than syrup, and sharp enough to be worth drinking.

  • Strawberry Mint Cooler

    Sweet, sharp and cold. Uses up strawberries that are slightly past their best.

A new recipe each month

Plus new venues and a Dry January plan when it comes round.