Its Basil week!!

Welcome to this edition of our cocktail newsletter, where we’re diving into the leafy world of basil! With its rich, aromatic profile, basil isn’t just a garnish—it's the crowning glory of many concoctions. From ancient herb to modern favorite, basil has a story that's steeped in history and tangled with folklore.

This month, we're shaking things up with our spotlight on basil-infused cocktails: Awaiting Grace, Ace Royal, Golden Smash, and Gold Cup. Each drink captures the essence of basil, blending its peppery marveousness with a dash of mixology magic to create sips as regal as the leaf itself!

Did you know basil's name is derived from "basileus," the Greek word for king? It seems only fitting that this herb is considered a royalty among plants. Next time you muddle it into your cocktail, picture yourself adorned in a crown, stirring up splendid flavors!

From its sacred journey through India to enchanting Europe, basil has long been revered for its charms. Today, bartenders across the globe celebrate its aromatic elegance, turning simple drinks into masterpieces. So, grab your muddler and let’s make your cocktail kingdom truly legendary! Cheers!

Happy mixing all

Nick

Sponsor us

Make Me a Cocktail Deep Dive is read by over 20,000 subscribers. Support us by sponsoring an issue.

Some of our favourite Basil cocktails

Invented by New Zealand bartender Corban Hill for the 2003 Suntory Cocktail Championships in Christchurch, and named after his then-unborn child.

Seen at the famous Roland Garros tennis tournament in France, this delightful number uses champagne for its alcoholic base, before infusing cucumber and basil to freshen up the flavours.

Quirky Basil fact!

Basil leaves aren't just a flavorful garnish; they have a delightful connection to royal history! As the botanical symbol of basil is derived from the Greek word "basileus," meaning king, it's believed that wearing a basil leaf could open magical doors to great fortune. So, next time you muddle basil into your cocktail, imagine yourself a mixologist royalty, conjuring up both majestic flavors and a dash of ancient charm in your glass. Cheers!

Some more great Basil cocktails

Celebrate the thrill of scoring a golden goal with the Golden Goal Smash, a refreshing and invigorating cocktail that combines the crispness of apple liqueur with the zest of muddled...

The Wild Geese Whiskey created this Brazilian-inspired cocktail for the 2014 World Cup. It combines the smooth taste of The Wild Geese Irish whiskey with the exotic flavours of Brazil....

We've got 10 Basil cocktails on Make Me a Cocktail!

Find something you might enjoy tonight.

Create your own printable shareable cocktail menus.

Check out our amazing menu creator tool. Take an existing list, or just choose your favourite cocktails. Pick a theme and share your beautifully designed menus with friends and colleagues alike.

Premium members

Are you a premium member yet? For just $5/month you get access to a whole host of world beating cocktail tips, tools and help. From world class masterclass tips, advanced creators, more powerful A.I. to the ability to photo and categorise your bar (to name just a few).

As an email subscriber we're also giving you 10% off for a whole year. Just use the discount code NEWSLETTER10.

Top bartender tip

"Understanding and mastering the classic cocktails provides a solid foundation for your mixology skills. Classics like the Martini, Old Fashioned, Margarita, and Daiquiri have stood the test of time for a reason. Once you know these staples, you can start tweaking them to your taste or using them as a base for more creative explorations."

A quick history lesson

Basil, a staple in cocktail culture, has ancient roots tracing back over 4,000 years to India, where it was revered as a sacred herb. Known as "holy basil" in Hindu tradition, it spread through the spice routes to Egypt and Greece. The Greeks named it "basilikón," meaning "royal plant," reflecting its esteemed status. In the Middle Ages, it was believed to hold protective powers, and by the Renaissance, it had found its way into drinks, celebrated for its aromatic qualities. Today, bartenders embrace basil in concoctions like the Basil Smash, benefiting from its refreshing, peppery notes that elevate any cocktail experience.

Premium membership?

Powerful A.I. search Use our most powerful A.I. search, allowing you to simply type what you're after and we'll find it for you. Go Wizard level
Cocktail creator plus: Access to all our themes, and the ability to pick and choose ingredients to include.
Photo your bar Take a photo of your bar and we'll instantly fill your online bar, telling you what you can make
Ignore kitchen cupboard staples: No need to add every single kitchen item, we'll just assume you have the core basics
Personal My Bar image: All the ingredients you have added to your bar in a beautiful detailed bar graphic
No ads, no intrusions: Just beautiful website content
And more ...

10% off for a whole year with this newsletter. Just use the discount code NEWSLETTER10.

Make Me a Cocktail Home

My bar  •  Listmania  •  Level up  •  Cocktail creator  •  A.I. search  •  Ingredients