Dragonwell Gin Smash
A botanical gin cocktail infused with Dragonwell tea, muddled with fresh basil and lime—herbaceous, nutty, and dangerously smooth.
Dragonwell's toasted, chestnut-like character pairs beautifully with the juniper and botanical notes of a good London dry gin. The tea rounds out gin's sharpness into something silky and layered.
Infuse the gin for just one hour—Dragonwell is delicate and over-infusing will extract bitterness. You want a subtle golden tint and a gentle nutty aroma, not a tannic wallop.
Fresh basil adds an herbal dimension that bridges the tea and gin, while muddled lime brings the acid punch every great cocktail needs. A touch of simple syrup balances everything into a seamless sip.
For a non-alcoholic version, cold-brew the Dragonwell, add basil, lime, simple syrup, and top with tonic water. The tea's complexity makes it a genuinely satisfying mocktail rather than an afterthought.
Ingredients
- 60 ml London dry gin
- 1 Dragonwell tea bag or 1 tbsp loose leaf
- 6 fresh basil leaves
- 30 ml fresh lime juice
- 15 ml simple syrup
- Sparkling water or tonic (optional top)
- Ice cubes
- Basil sprig and lime wheel for garnish
How to make it
- 1Infuse gin: add tea to gin in a sealed jar for 1 hour. Strain and discard tea.
- 2In a cocktail shaker, gently muddle basil leaves with lime juice and simple syrup.
- 3Add infused gin and fill shaker with ice. Shake vigorously for 10 seconds.
- 4Double-strain into a rocks glass filled with fresh ice.
- 5Top with a splash of sparkling water or tonic if desired. Garnish with a basil sprig and lime wheel.
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