When the team at Absolut® Elyx Vodka asked us to share some summer bar inspiration, we immediately wanted to create a cocktail. The copper-distilled vodka has an exceptionally clean taste, which makes it perfect for pairing with subtle flavors like basil and berries.
After much experimenting, we came up with this Basil Citrus Berry Smash, which is so beautiful and refreshing that we plan on sipping it all summer long!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe
The Basil Citrus Blackberry Smash is a vibrant and refreshing cocktail that combines fresh, tangy citrus flavors with the herbal notes of basil and blackberries’ sweet, lush taste.
This drink is perfect for anyone looking to enjoy a unique, sophisticated cocktail that’s as pleasing to the eye as it is to the palate. Its bright flavors and beautiful presentation make it an ideal choice for summer gatherings or as a chic refreshment on a warm evening.
Recipe Ingredients
To whip up this delightful cocktail, you’ll need:
- 1/2 ounce of fresh clementine, mandarin, or tangerine juice
- 1/2 ounce of freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 2 teaspoons of local honey
- 10 medium fresh basil leaves (plus more for garnish)
- 3 medium fresh blackberries (plus more for garnish)
- 1 ounce Green Chartreuse
- 2 ounces Absolut® Elyx Vodka
- Crushed ice cubes
These ingredients blend together to create a drink that’s both refreshing and richly flavored, perfect for sipping on a hot day.

How to Make This Recipe
Start by wrapping ice cubes in a clean towel and crushing them until you have a mix of sizes. Dissolve the honey in the citrus and lemon juices in a cocktail shaker. Add the blackberries and basil leaves, muddling well to release their flavors.
Pour the Green Chartreuse and vodka, add ice, and shake vigorously. Strain into a julep cup filled with crushed ice, top off with more ice and garnish with additional basil and blackberries for a stunning finish.
Variations On This Recipe
This cocktail is highly adaptable to your taste and the ingredients you have on hand:
- Swap out the clementine juice for grapefruit or lime for a sharper citrus note.
- Use mint or thyme instead of basil for a different herbal background.
- To adjust the sweetness and color, experiment with other berries like raspberries or blueberries.
- For a non-alcoholic version, substitute the vodka and Green Chartreuse with a splash of soda water or a non-alcoholic spirit.

What To Serve With This Cocktail Recipe
Are you serving this berry smash cocktail as part of a party? You’ll want to check out our more than 35 Cocktail Party Appetizers for everything from healthy-ish dips and comfort food bites to elegant finger food.
Now, go stock up on all your cooking essentials, head into the kitchen, make this, and share it with us by tagging @saltandwind and #swsociety on social!
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Basil Citrus Berry Smash Cocktail Recipe
Ingredients
- 1/2 ounce fresh clementine, or mandarin, or tangerine juice
- 1/2 ounce freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 2 teaspoons local honey
- 10 medium fresh basil leaves
plus more for garnish
- 3 medium fresh blackberries
plus more for garnish
- 1 ounce Green Chartreuse
- 2 ounces Absolut® Elyx Vodka
- Crushed ice cubes
Instructions
- To Crush The Ice: Wrap a few handfuls of ice cubes in a clean towel or ice crusher bag and, using a mallet, rolling pin, or muddler, tap until all the ice is broken up and crushed (you want a mix of ice sizes from pea sized to snowlike).
- To Muddle The Berries: Combine honey, clementine juice, and lemon juice in the bottom of a cocktail shaker and stir with a bar spoon until the honey is dissolved. Add 3 blackberries and the basil leaves and use a muddler until the basil leaves are really well broken up.
- To Make The Cocktail: Add the Green Chartreuse and Absolut® Elyx Vodka to the cocktail shaker, fill halfway with ice, close, and shake until the outside of the shaker is cold to the touch and starts to frost, about 10 seconds.
- Fill a julep cup with the crushed ice then strain the cocktail over the ice. Add more crushed ice to the top of the cup, garnish with basil leaves and a blackberry and serve.