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Refreshing Watermelon Basil Bourbon Smash: Easy Summer Cocktail

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This Watermelon Basil Bourbon Smash is a refreshing summer cocktail that combines juicy watermelon, aromatic basil, and smooth bourbon for a perfectly balanced drink. Quick and easy to make in under 10 minutes, it’s the ideal crowd-pleaser for backyard barbecues, pool parties, or quiet evenings on the porch.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 cups fresh watermelon, cubed (seedless if possible)
  • 8–10 large fresh basil leaves, plus extra for garnish
  • 3 ounces bourbon (about 6 tablespoons, e.g., Buffalo Trace or Maker’s Mark)
  • 1.5 ounces fresh lime juice (about 3 tablespoons)
  • 1 ounce simple syrup (2 tablespoons)
  • Ice (for shaking and serving)
  • For the Simple Syrup (if making from scratch):
  • 1 cup granulated sugar or demerara sugar
  • 1 cup water

Instructions

  1. Prepare the watermelon: Cut your watermelon into 1-inch cubes. You’ll need about 2 cups total. Remove any seeds you see. Set aside a few small cubes for garnish if desired.
  2. Muddle the basil and watermelon: Place the basil leaves and about half of the watermelon cubes into your cocktail shaker. Gently muddle them together—about 10 to 12 presses. You want to release the basil oils and watermelon juice without turning everything into mush. Stop when the basil looks bruised and the watermelon starts breaking down. This takes about 30 seconds.
  3. Add the remaining ingredients: Add the rest of the watermelon cubes, the bourbon, fresh lime juice, and simple syrup to the shaker. Drop in a generous handful of ice—enough to fill the shaker about halfway.
  4. Shake vigorously: Seal the shaker and shake hard for 15 to 20 seconds. You should hear the ice moving around. The goal is to chill and dilute the drink slightly, which mellows the bourbon and melds the flavors. Your hands will feel cold—that’s how you know it’s ready.
  5. Strain into a glass: Fill your serving glass with fresh ice. Hold the fine-mesh strainer over the glass and pour the cocktail through it. This catches the pulp and basil bits, leaving you with a smooth, beautiful pink liquid. If you like a little texture, you can skip the strainer—just pour it all in.
  6. Garnish and serve: Slap a basil leaf between your palms to release its oils and float it on top. Add a small watermelon wedge or a lime wheel if desired. Serve immediately.

Notes

Don’t over-muddle the basil to avoid bitterness. Use ripe watermelon for best sweetness. Chill your glass in the freezer for 10 minutes before serving to keep the drink colder longer. For a party, batch the ingredients in a large pitcher and serve within an hour to prevent basil from turning bitter. If the drink is too watery, shake for exactly 15 seconds and use larger ice cubes. Adjust sweetness with extra lime juice or simple syrup as needed.

Nutrition

Keywords: watermelon basil bourbon smash, summer cocktail, bourbon cocktail, watermelon drink, easy cocktail recipe, refreshing cocktail

Find it online: https://gleamgulp.com/refreshing-watermelon-basil-bourbon-smash-easy-summer-cocktail/