This easy Gin Cocktail with Basil and Lemon recipe is refreshing and full of delicious spring flavors. This mixed drink is a great one to make if you aren’t sure about gin. And not only is it easy to make at home but it’s also fun to give the ingredients to make it as a gift to friends.

A small white planter holding a basil plant, two lemons and a small bottle of gin next to a cocktail on a table. — Let’s make a refreshing gin cocktail with basil and lemon.

This recipe for a gin cocktail with lemon and basil was made with G’Vine Gin. I was sent a bottle to use in this post. All opinions are my own.

This Gin Cocktail Gift is a Refreshing Idea

If you’re looking for a simple gin cocktail idea to make at home, this one with lemon and fresh basil is a great one. The flavors are bright and citrusy and they pair really well with the herbal flavor of gin.

Gin is a great base for warm-weather cocktails. And I prefer to use Meyer lemons because of their slightly more sweet flavor.

Grab your cocktail shaker and mix up this recipe ASAP! It’s one of my favorite cocktails to make and share with a friend who isn’t sure that they like gin.

This might be the best hostess gift idea ever. I don’t mean to toot my own horn, but it’s kind of great. Sure you can bring a bottle of wine, but that is so DONE. You know what I mean?

It’s so much more fun to put a little gin cocktail kit together! Let me show you how.

Ingredients

A small bottle of gin laying down on a table next to basil leaves and a white container holding lemons. — This is what you will need to make a gin cocktail with basil and lemon.

Scroll down to the recipe card for exact amounts.

As I mentioned above, I think Meyer lemons are crazy yummy. But if you can’t find them, regular lemons are also great.

G’Vine Gin is a grape-based gin (instead of the usual grain-based) and utilizes its aromatic surroundings for creating subtle fruit and floral notes. But you can also use whatever gin you have on hand.

And if you have time, you can always make your own simple syrup. To get even more basil flavor, you can even use basil simple syrup.

If you don’t have bitters, you can skip them. (They’re like the salt and pepper of the cocktail world and help to add a smidge more flavor).

How to Make a Gin Cocktail with Basil and Lemon

A cocktail shaker filled with ice on a table with the lid next to it and a container holding lemons and a basil plant.

Step 1

Add lemon juice, basil and simple syrup to a cocktail shaker.

Step 2

Muddle.

Step 3

Add gin and ice.

Step 4

Shake for 15-20 seconds.

Step 5

Strain into a short glass over fresh ice.

Step 6

Top with bitters, if using.

A Meyer Lemon and Basil Gin Cocktail in a glass on a table.

I’m not sure this cocktail kit would be appropriate for an end-of-the-year teacher’s gift but it would probably be much appreciated.

This would also be an awesome gift idea for someone turning 21, or someone moving into a new house. And it would be especially nice as a hostess gift.

Variations

If you don’t have gin or don’t like it, you can make this cocktail recipe with vodka or tequila instead.

Make it a Gin Cocktail Kit Gift

A mini bottle of gin in a white container with a basil plant and Meyer lemons to create a cocktail kit gift.

To make this gin and basil cocktail into a gift kit, look for mini bottles of gin (or other spirits – or a mix of spirits!) and pair it with the other ingredients in a cute vessel.

Of course, you can use a full-sized bottle of gin, but a small one is always cute (and will also be less expensive).

If you want to give an even better gift, you can also supply the cocktail shaker with the gin cocktail ingredients. Most people have their own already so if you just want to give a little gift, leave it out.

Print out this recipe or rewrite it on a cute recipe card so your pal knows what to put in this gin lemon cocktail.

They’ll just need to add ice!

Are you a gin cocktail fan? I’m certainly starting to be!

If you love this gin cocktail with basil and lemon recipe, don’t forget to pin it to your cocktails board, or save it by clicking the teal heart near the bottom right of the site. It’s my favorite way to save and organize my recipes!

More easy Gin cocktails

Gin Cocktail with Basil and Lemon Recipe

This refreshing gin cocktail recipe is easy to make at home and has tons of bright and delicious flavor from the basil and lemon.

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Course: cocktails

Cuisine: American

Prep Time: 5

Total Time: 5

Servings: cocktail

Calories: 203kcal

Author: Sharon Garofalow

Equipment

▢
1 cocktail shaker

Ingredients

Instructions

Add lemon juice, basil leaves and simple syrup to a cocktail shaker.
Muddle together.
Add gin and ice.
Shake.
Strain in to a cup over fresh ice.
Top with 2 dashes of bitters, if using

Notes

I prefer to use Meyer lemons in this recipe because the flavor is a touch sweeter than traditional lemons, but regular lemons also work.

To add more basil flavor, consider using a basil simple syrup instead of plain.

You can also use vodka or tequila in place of gin if you prefer.

To turn this into a gift kit, just gather all the ingredients to make the drink and package them up in a cute container. Make sure to include the recipe!