Bangkok G&T (Gin Cocktail with Thai Basil)
This Gin & Tonic recipe brings an element of pure South-East Asian fragrance with Thai Basil – a refreshing, light and delicious basil infused cocktail. Shake up your next G&T with this easy cocktail recipe.
This thai basil cocktail I've named a 'Bangkok G&T' transforms a run of the mill gin & tonic into something utterly delicious. Fragrant, floral and completely slurpable this is an amazing way to enjoy gin.
I love Thai cooking and always have a big stash of Thai basil (holy basil) at my disposal. It has all the flavour of Italian basil, with its own unique personality - a little more floral and complex - it's one of my favourite flavours
I actually first tasted this drink in Mexico (far away from Thailand!) a few years back at a fancy bar. I took a picture of the menu to remind myself what was in it, then set to recreating it on our return. While not the same mix as the Mexican version, my version is equally refreshing and delicious!
We've been drinking it since and mixing it up for anyone and everyone who visits. It's a wonderful summer cocktail, but also holds its own in the winter and I just love it! It's pretty simple, with only a few ingredients, and the results are the essence of Thailand in a glass:
- Gin - I love Esme gin, a wonderful rounded flavour
- Thai Basil
- Lemon Juice
- Simple Syrup - Make your own or buy simple syrup online
- Tonic Water - A good quality brand like Fevertree Tonic helps with flavour too.
It's lovely poured over ice for a cooling, citrus hit with floral notes. It's pretty much perfect!
What If you can't get Thai basil?
Many Asian stores will stock fresh Thai basil (holy basil), but if you can't get hold of it, you can absolutely substitute it for and Italian version - I've tried both and approve of either!
More tasty cocktail recipes
How to make Bangkok G&T (Gin Cocktail with Thai Basil)
Ingredients
- 20 Thai basil leaves
- 2 oz gin
- 1 oz lemon juice
- 1 oz simple syrup
- 8 oz tonic water
- ice
Instructions
- Add the basil leaves, gin, lemon juice and simple syrup to a cocktail shaker and using a muddler, muddle the leaves to break up a little.
- Strain the liquid into a high ball glass filled with ice. Some of the smaller pieces of basil will escape but that's OK.
- Top up the glass with tonic water, stir and serve!
Nutrition
Did you make my Bangkok G&T (Gin Cocktail with Thai Basil)
How did you go? Let me know in the comments below and be sure to tag @cookeatworld at Instagram.
Excellent! I love gin and tonic. The Thai basil goes perfectly with the basic mix and the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. I have tried it without the lemon and syrup and it is still excellent. I grow my own basil and never knew this was a thing until I tried it by simply experimenting one night. Your recipe is great, but I still like the simpler gin, tonic and Thai basil combination all by itself. Thai basil is very different when used this way. My opinion is the generic sweet basil is OK, but not as good as the Thai. The nose aroma will tell you which is which. Lovely drink. Keep on mixin’!
So happy you enjoyed. I’ll be sure to try with just tonic too – the flavour of Thai basil is so good that I just know I’ll love it too. :)