This Citrus Basil Smash mocktail blends the vibrant flavors of mandarin with the fresh aroma of summer herbs and a touch of honey. Finished with a sparkling fizz, it’s a refreshing burst of flavor in every sip.
A Modern Classic, Without the Booze
If you’ve ever heard of a gin basil smash, this is its fruitier, more responsible cousin!
With the same bright and herbaceous flavors, this mocktail takes out the dry gin and replaces it with invigorating citrus juice that’ll make any summer day a little more exciting. But let’s be honest, this citrus basil smash is great any time of year.
A modern twist on the classic, this mocktail is as easy as ever! You’ll have it ready in under 10 minutes.
Want more mocktail ideas? Check out my Blackberry Mule, Virgin Bloody Mary, and Cucumber Cooler!
Ingredients
- Fresh juice: I recommend using juice from a navel orange, cara cara orange, mandarin, or tangerine. Your choice!
- Fresh lemon juice: This adds a sour, acidic element that rounds out the sweeter flavors.
- Honey simple syrup: This gets muddled with the basil for a sweet herbaceous note.
- Fresh basil leaves: Fresh herbs like basil are what make mocktails feel fancy!
- Sparkling water OR tonic water: Use whichever you prefer! I love the extra bubbly-ness of sparkling water, but tonic water is a bit sweeter and has a slight bitter note that works well with the other flavors.
- Ice: Don’t forget to add plenty of ice, and preferably use crushed ice for a more refreshing drink.
- Citrus slice & basil sprig: Optional garnishes to add an extra touch of elegance and flavor to your mocktail.
How to Make Honey Simple Syrup
Chances are you won’t easily find honey simple syrup at the store, but you don’t need to. All you need is some honey and water and a stove.
Ingredients
- ½ cup honey
- ½ cup water
Instructions
- Grab a small saucepan and mix the honey and water over medium heat.
- Stir it up until the honey’s completely dissolved.
- Let it cool, then pop it in the fridge. It’ll keep for up to 1 week!
How to Make a Citrus Basil Smash
- In a glass, add the basil leaves and honey simple syrup. Gently muddle to release the basil’s oils, pressing just enough to bruise the leaves without tearing them.
- Next, pour in the orange and lemon juice and fill the glass with ice. Stir until well chilled.
- Top with sparkling water or tonic water and gently stir to combine.
- Garnish with a citrus wheel and a sprig of fresh basil. Enjoy!
Food to Pair with Your Citrus Basil Smash
This great cocktail pairs well with a variety of food options, making it perfect for any occasion. Light appetizers like Cowboy Caviar and Air Fryer Street Corn would be fantastic.
You also can’t go wrong with grilled seafood. My Best Damn Air Fryer Shrimp, Air Fryer Citrus Garlic Salmon, or Oven Baked Mediterranean Cod are some tasty options.
For something fresh and flavorful, try pairing it with my Grilled Chicken and Peach Salad!
Storage
This citrus basil smash makes only one serving, but you can easily scale it up for a larger crowd. I recommend leaving out the sparkling water if you can and storing leftovers in a sealed jar or bottle in the fridge for up to 3 days. You can add the sparkling water when serving to keep it fizzy and fresh.
PrintRecipe
Citrus Basil Smash
- Total Time: 8 minutes
- Yield: 1 serving
Description
The Citrus Basil Smash mocktail combines mandarin, fresh herbs, honey, and a sparkling finish for a refreshing, flavorful sip – perfect for the summer weather!
Ingredients
For the Honey Simple Syrup
- ½ cup honey
- ½ cup water
For the Citrus Basil Smash
- 2 oz fresh juice from a navel orange, cara cara orange, mandarin, or tangerine
- 1 oz fresh lemon juice
- 1 oz honey simple syrup (see below)
- 4–5 fresh basil leaves
- 2–3 oz sparkling water OR tonic water
- Ice
- Optional garnish: citrus slice, basil sprig
Instructions
Making the Honey Simple Syrup:
- Combine honey and water in a small saucepan over medium heat.
- Stir until the honey is fully dissolved.
- Let cool and store in the fridge for up to 1 week.
Making the Citrus Basil Smash:
- In a glass, add basil leaves and honey simple syrup. Gently muddle to release the basil’s oils—press just enough to bruise the leaves without tearing them.
- Pour in the orange and lemon juice and fill the glass with ice. Stir until well chilled.
- Top with sparkling water or tonic water and gently stir to combine.
- Garnish with a citrus wheel and a sprig of fresh basil. Enjoy!
- Prep Time: 3 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Category: Beverages
- Method: Stovetop
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