Basil Gimlet
This delicious basil gimlet recipe is refreshing and herbal. It's a strong cocktail that is just perfect for slow summer sipping.
Updated by Kathryne Taylor on May 22, 2025
I’ve been on a homemade pesto kick, so I thought it fitting that today’s cocktail also contains basil. Here it is, a basil gimlet. Its light, herbal flavor is refreshing on a hot summer day.
Traditional gimlets are made of gin, lime and simple syrup, shaken with ice and strained into a martini glass. They’re similar to classic gin martinis, but with lime juice instead of vermouth and a splash of sweetener. In my twist on a traditional gimlet, I added basil to the cocktail shaker and substituted agave nectar for simple syrup.
The basil gimlet is very similar to my first summer cocktail, the beautiful red bell, but contains more lime juice and basil in place of the red bell pepper. Both are delightful, but I do think the red bell pepper adds a special sweet flavor and a pretty color. While basil and red pepper are in season, why not give them both a try?
More Fresh Gin Cocktails to Enjoy
PrintBasil Gimlet
This delicious basil gimlet recipe is refreshing and herbal. It’s a strong cocktail that is just perfect for slow summer sipping.
Ingredients
Per gimlet
- 8 medium basil leaves
- 1 ½ ounces gin
- 1 lime, juiced
- 1 to 2 teaspoons agave nectar or simple syrup, to taste
Instructions
- In a cocktail shaker or mason jar, gently muddle the basil leaves.
- Add lime juice, agave nectar and gin.
- Fill with ice, securely fasten the lid and shake well.
- Strain into a martini glass.
Notes
Recipe adapted from Scott Beattie’s Live Basil Gimlet (The New York Times).
Nutrition
The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice. See our full nutrition disclosure here.
This is different. I don’t think I’ve ever had a gimlet. Looks delicious, though
This sounds fantastic!
Oh thank you for this! My husband and I enjoyed basil gimlets the night before we got engaged. I can’t wait to surprise him with one of these!
Just made this! I’m sipping on it right now! So good. Perfect way to enjoy the last of summer basil. Thanks
Thanks, Stephanie! I’m glad you enjoyed the gimlet. I didn’t get much of a response on this recipe when I posted it, so your comment is redeeming! I knew it was good. :)
Boyfriend just made this and OMG it’s so delicious. And easy to make! (Especially from where I’m sitting :)) Thank you for this one!!
You’re welcome, Susannah! Enjoy.
I don’t know why it’s taken me this long to review this. I have been in love with this cocktail for years, a summer must. I regularly serve it at my annual Midsommar party, a crowd favorite! Thank youuuuuu, love the fresh herbal flavor. I look forward to this every year come basil season!
First and most importantly, I love this blog! It’s really helped since my 5-year old decided to become a vegetarian last year.
I like a tart cocktail, but this was too tart for me. Maybe if I’d hand squeezed the lime instead of using a hand-held squeezer it would have worked better? It’d be helpful to have a more exact measurement.
Thank you!
I made this last weekend with fresh basil from my garden. Absolutely delicious. Tonight we’re going to make the red pepper and basil version. Thank you for all the wonderful recipes!
That sounds delicious, Kat!
Found this while looking for a Gimlet. My parents used to enjoy them with Roses Lime juice but my wife cringes at the fructose. This one,with real-time juice is amazing on a hot afternoon on the patio. I went the full recipe and suggestions; large clear ice cube, St Germaine, Agave. Will do this again. Thanks for great recipe
Drop some cucumber in with basil the shaker to really kick this gimlet up another notch.