party cocktails
These two easy and delicious party cocktails—Gin Basil Smash and Whiskey Ginger Fizz—are perfect for any celebration. Refreshing, vibrant, and quick to make, they're crowd-pleasers that impress with minimal effort.
Prep
: 10
Total
: 25 minutes
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 360 ml gin
- 240 ml fresh lemon juice
- 12 fresh basil leaves plus extra for garnish
- 90 ml honey syrup equal parts honey and warm water, stirred to combine
- 360 ml whiskey bourbon or rye
- 180 ml ginger syrup store-bought or homemade with fresh ginger and sugar
- 360 ml soda water chilled
- 4 ice cubes per glass, plus extra for shaking
Instructions
Preparation Steps
- For the Gin Basil Smash: in a cocktail shaker, combine 45ml gin, 30ml fresh lemon juice, 1.5ml (1/4 tsp) honey syrup, and 3 basil leaves. Fill shaker 2/3 with ice and shake vigorously for 15 seconds. Strain into a rocks glass filled with ice. Gently muddle 1 or 2 basil leaves in the glass for aroma, garnish with a basil leaf and lemon twist, and serve immediately.
- For the Whiskey Ginger Fizz: in the same shaker (no need to rinse), pour 45ml whiskey, 22.5ml ginger syrup, and 30ml fresh lemon juice. Add ice 2/3 way and shake well for 15 seconds. Strain into a highball glass over fresh ice. Top with about 45ml chilled soda water. Do not stir—pour slowly to preserve effervescence. Garnish with a lemon slice or candied ginger and serve with a straw.
- Repeat steps for remaining guests. Prepare all bases ahead of time (pre-shake and chill in sealed bottles) and only add soda water and garnishes just before serving to maintain fizz and freshness.
Notes
To make honey and ginger syrups ahead: mix 200g honey with 200ml warm water, stir until smooth. For ginger syrup, simmer 200g sugar, 200ml water, and 100g sliced fresh ginger for 10 minutes, then strain and cool. Store syrups in airtight jars in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.