{"url":"https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1013650-live-basil-gimlet","title":"Muddle Basil for Vibrant Live Gimlet Cocktail","domain":"cooking.nytimes.com","imageUrl":"https://images.pexels.com/photos/7377072/pexels-photo-7377072.jpeg?auto=compress&cs=tinysrgb&h=650&w=940","pexelsSearchTerm":"basil gimlet cocktail","category":"Lifestyle","language":"en","slug":"3b6885d4","id":"3b6885d4-e181-42d9-94f1-686dd1df6b1a","description":"Live Basil Gimlet recipe uses 5 basil leaves, gin, lime juice, and simple syrup.","summary":"## TL;DR\n- **Live Basil Gimlet** recipe uses **5 basil leaves**, **gin**, **lime juice**, and **simple syrup**.\n- Muddle **4 basil leaves**, shake with ice, strain into chilled glass for **1 drink**.\n- Garnish with remaining basil leaf for fresh, herbaceous cocktail.\n\n## The story at a glance\nThe **Live Basil Gimlet** is a simple cocktail recipe featuring fresh basil muddled with **gin**, **lime juice**, and **simple syrup**. It yields **1 drink** shaken and strained into a chilled coupe glass. This herbaceous twist on the classic gimlet highlights seasonal basil for a vibrant summer refresher.\n\n## Key moments & milestones\n- Muddle **4 basil leaves** gently in cocktail shaker.\n- Add **1½ ounces gin**, **¾ ounce lime juice**, **½ ounce simple syrup**.\n- Fill with ice and shake vigorously.\n- Strain into chilled coupe or small glass.\n- Garnish with remaining basil leaf.\n\n## Signature highlights\n- Uses **5 large basil leaves** total for fresh, aromatic flavor.\n- **156 calories** per serving with **12g carbohydrates**, **11g sugars**, **0g protein**.\n- Shaking with ice provides dilution and chill for balanced taste.\n- User tip: Scale for pitcher with **18 oz gin**, **9 oz lime juice**, **6 oz syrup**, handfuls of basil.\n- Variations include subbing **vodka** or **St-Germain elderflower liqueur**, or using **shiso** instead of basil.\n- **Plymouth gin** recommended for complex, balanced profile.\n\n## Key quotes\nOmit—no direct quotes in recipe.\n\n## Why it matters\nFresh herb cocktails like the **Live Basil Gimlet** elevate home bartending with minimal ingredients. Readers can mix **1 drink** in under **5 minutes** using common pantry staples. Watch for summer basil peaks and pitcher scaling tips.","hashtags":["#cocktails","#recipes","#gin","#basil","#summerdrinks","#bartending"],"sources":[{"url":"https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1013650-live-basil-gimlet","title":"Original article"}],"viewCount":2,"publishedAt":"2026-04-05T02:20:11.314Z","createdAt":"2026-04-05T02:20:11.314Z","articlePublishedAt":null}