This Strawberry Basil Smash is a refreshing cocktail with fresh strawberries, basil, bourbon, lemon, and simple syrup, finished with bubbly club soda. (I love a little fizz in my drinks.) Muddling the strawberries and basil releases their bright flavors, making this a true ‘smash’ cocktail. If you love this smash, you might also enjoy my Frosted Blackberry Bourbon Smash, which combines the same bourbon base with the rich, fruity flavor of blackberries. Cheers!

Close up of a glass of Strawberry Basil Smash with fresh strawberries.

Ingredients & Substitutions

Strawberries: It is best to use fresh strawberries in the Strawberry Basil Smash for the best flavor and texture. Fresh strawberries are easy to muddle and release their juices, which helps balance the bourbon and lemon. I also like to use extra strawberries for garnish.
Basil Leaves: The basil leaves add a fresh, slightly sweet, and peppery flavor to the drink. When muddled, they mix with the strawberries and bourbon, giving the cocktail a nice, herbal taste that makes it exciting and unique. I use basil sprigs for the garnish. If you don’t have basil (or aren’t a fan), try using mint instead. Rosemary would also make an interesting flavor twist!
Bourbon: The base of this cocktail is bourbon. No need to go for top-shelf (unless you want to) – just pick one you enjoy sipping! If you don’t have bourbon on hand, rye whiskey works great, or you can switch it up with rum, brandy, or even cognac.
Simple Syrup: Making your own simple syrup is super easy—just granulated sugar and water! It adds sweetness to cocktails like this one, and you can even use it in baking. If you prefer your drink less sweet, just use less simple syrup and add a little more club soda.
Lemon Juice: The lemon juice adds a fresh, tangy taste that balances the sweetness of the strawberries and simple syrup. It also makes the flavors of the bourbon and basil stand out. Without it, the drink might be too sweet or not as flavorful! 🍋
Club Soda: Club soda is fizzy water with added minerals that give it a little extra flavor. Seltzer or sparkling water work just as well, so use whatever you have on hand!

Pouring Strawberry Basil Smash into a glass with square ice.

Can I Use Frozen Strawberries In This Strawberry Basil Smash?

Yes, you can use frozen strawberries if fresh ones aren’t available. They will make the drink colder and slushier, which can be fun and extra refreshing! Just remember that frozen strawberries might be mushier, so you may need to muddle them longer, and they could make the drink a little more watery as they thaw.

Is This Strawberry Basil Smash Sweet?

I was hesitant to try this Strawberry Basil Smash because I thought it would be too sweet, but it wasn’t (at least, I didn’t think so)! I’m not a huge fan of sweet drinks, but I found this cocktail to have a great balance of sweetness that complements the bourbon without overpowering it. If you want it sweeter, just add more simple syrup. If you prefer it less sweet, reduce the simple syrup. It’s easy to customize to fit your taste!

Two glasses of Strawberry Basil Smash on a wooden table shot from overhead looking down at the top of the glasses.

How To Make A Non-Alcoholic Strawberry Basil Smash

It is easy to make this strawberry basil smash cocktail into a mocktail with no bourbon or alcohol required! To make a strawberry basil smash mocktail, just leave out the bourbon and replace it with one of these options:

More club soda or sparkling water
Lemon-lime soda (If using this, I would recommend reducing the amount of simple syrup.)
Lemonade
Ginger beer
Iced tea

Just muddle the strawberries and basil, add your substitute, and top with club soda. It’s just as delicious!

Glasses of Strawberry Basil Smash on a wooden table with fresh strawberries and alcohol.

Strawberry Basil Smash For A Party: Make A Big Batch!

You can easily make a big batch of Strawberry Basil Smash for a party. First, muddle the strawberries and basil in a large pitcher instead of using a shaker. Next, multiply the ingredients based on how many servings you need. Stir the muddled mixture, bourbon, simple syrup, and lemon juice together ahead of time, and keep the pitcher in the fridge to let the flavors blend. When it’s time to serve, pour the club soda into each glass to keep the drink fizzy. This way, serving is simple and the drinks stay fresh and bubbly!

Strawberry Basil Smash

Prep Time 5

Total Time 5

This Strawberry Basil Smash is a refreshing cocktail with fresh strawberries, basil, bourbon, lemon, and simple syrup, finished with bubbly club soda. Muddling the strawberries and basil releases their bright flavors, making this a true 'smash' cocktail!

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Ingredients

Instructions

To a cocktail shaker, add strawberries and basil leaves. Muddle together to release the juices and flavors.
Add bourbon, simple syrup, and lemon juice.
Fill the shaker with ice. Cover and shake well for about 15 seconds.
Fill 2 low-ball glasses with ice. Strain the strawberry mixture evenly between the glasses.
Top each glass with club soda.
Garnish each cocktail with a fresh strawberry and a basil sprig. Serve immediately. Cheers!

Did you make this recipe?

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What the Test Kitchen had to say about this recipe:

Autumn

I really liked this cocktail! It was a good balance of flavors and wasn't too sweet! Very refreshing.

Elizabeth

I was so sure I would not like this cocktail because it would be too sweet. Well, I was proven wrong! It was fantastic, and I still got a taste of bourbon, which I like.