Common Ground Spirits

Common Ground Spirits Blog June 2025

Watermelon Basil Cooler

Summer tastings are in full swing, so don’t miss a chance to sample our three incredible gins at a location near you! It’s the perfect opportunity to stock up on supplies for our latest favorite summer cocktail, the Watermelon Basil Cooler. Fresh, ripe watermelon contributes nearly all the sweetness in this recipe, and the basil pairs beautifully with our Gin Recipe 01 (basil and elderflower) to create a refreshing, barely-sweet cocktail that tastes like a garden in full summer glory.

Read on for all the good things!

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Watermelon Basil Cooler

A fresh, ripe personal-sized watermelon, a handful of fresh basil leaves, and a tiny pinch of salt and confectioners sugar are all you need to shake up this super easy, super delicious Watermelon Basil Cooler cocktail! The majority of the cocktail’s sweetness comes straight from the watermelon, so no simple syrup required, and in combination with our Gin Recipe 01 and the savory complexity of fresh basil leaves, this cocktail tastes like a summer garden in a glass.

Watermelon Basil Cooler

Serves 1

1 ½ oz Common Ground Spirits Gin Recipe 01 (basil & elderflower)

3 oz. fresh watermelon, cut into large chunks

4 fresh basil leaves, plus extra for garnish

Small pinch of confectioners sugar

Small pinch of salt

Double strain the cocktail into a coupe or rocks glass, garnish with a basil leaf, and enjoy!..

Fill a large cocktail shaker with ice, then add the gin, watermelon, basil, sugar, and salt and shake vigorously until very cold.