Vision: A Baijiu Smash

Recipe: Gina Broyles , Beautiful South , Charleston, South Carolina

Photo: Andrew Cebulka

October 10, 2024

This baijiu smash from Gina Broyles of Charleston’s Beautiful South demonstrates the versatility of the Chinese spirit. Broyles balances its earthiness with an herbaceous basil syrup and the tropical sweetness of pineapple juice.

Ingredients

1 1/2 oz. baijiu (Beautiful South uses Ming River)
3/4 oz. fresh lime juice
3/4 oz. pineapple juice
1/2 oz. basil simple syrup
soda water

Tools:shaker, strainer
Glass:rocks
Garnish:pineapple fronds

Preparation

Add all of the ingredients, except the soda water, to a shaker with ice. Shake vigorously and strain over fresh ice in the glass. Top with soda water and garnish.
Basil simple syrupCombine 1 cup of water, 1 cup of sugar, and 15 basil leaves in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil, stirring until sugar dissolves. Reduce heat and simmer for 1 minute. Remove from heat and let syrup steep for at least 30 minutes. Drain syrup through a mesh strainer into a glass jar. Let cool, then cover and store in the refrigerator for up to 1 month.