I set out to pair fresh clementine and garden sage in a Clementine Gin Cocktail and landed on a clever bartending twist few people know.

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I thought a bright drink could be predictable until I met this Clementine Sage Gin Smash. I used gin as the backbone and the aroma of fresh sage leaves kept tugging at me, like I was trying to place a song I almost remembered.

It behaves like a Clementine Gin Cocktail but somehow refuses to be boxed in, sometimes sharp sometimes soft, it keeps you paying attention. I messed up my first try because I overcomplicated things, and then laughed at myself.

If you like a little mystery in your glass, this one will make you curious.

Ingredients

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Gin: Juniper forward spirit, no real nutrients, adds botanical pine and peppery bite, boozy.
Clementine juice: bright sweet citrus, provides vitamin C and natural sugars, tangy and fragrant.
Lemon juice: sharp sour kick, adds acidity balances sweetness, small vitamin C boost.
Simple syrup: pure sweetness, mostly sugar so adds carbs and body, use sparingly.
Sage leaves: aromatic herb, low calories, adds savory earthy perfume, muddled releases oils.
Club soda: optional effervescence, adds bubbles without calories, makes drink lighter.

Ingredient Quantities

2 oz gin (London dry works well)

1 oz fresh clementine juice (about 1 medium clementine)

1/2 oz fresh lemon juice

3/4 oz simple syrup (1:1)

6 fresh sage leaves plus a sprig for garnish

Ice (crushed or cubes)

Optional splash club soda or sparkling water

Clementine wheel or wedge for garnish

How to Make this

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1. Put 6 fresh sage leaves in a shaker or sturdy mixing glass, add 3/4 oz simple syrup (1:1) and muddle gently to bruise the leaves and release oils, dont over muddle or it gets bitter.

2. Add 1 oz fresh clementine juice and 1/2 oz fresh lemon juice, give a quick stir so the juices mix with the sage syrup.

3. Pour in 2 oz gin (London dry works great) and fill the shaker with ice cubes.

4. Shake hard for about 10 to 15 seconds until the shaker feels cold and a little frosty.

5. Fill your serving glass with crushed ice or fresh cubes, then double strain the cocktail into the glass to keep leaf bits out, use a fine mesh strainer if you got one.

6. If you want a lighter finish add an optional splash of club soda or sparkling water on top and gently stir once.

7. Smack the reserved sage sprig between your palms to wake up the aroma, run a clementine wheel over the rim to express oils, then garnish with the sage sprig and the clementine wheel.

8. Serve immediately, sip and enjoy the bright citrus and herb combo while the ice is still crunchy.

Equipment Needed

1. Cocktail shaker or sturdy mixing glass (or a mason jar if youre short on gear)
2. Muddler or sturdy wooden spoon to bruise the sage leaves
3. Jigger or measuring spoons for accurate pours
4. Citrus juicer or hand reamer for fresh clementine and lemon juice
5. Fine mesh strainer for the double strain so no leaf bits get in
6. Cocktail strainer or the shaker’s built in strainer to hold back solids
7. Bar spoon or long spoon to stir and gently top with soda
8. Paring knife and small cutting board for the clementine wheel and garnish
9. Ice scoop or tongs and a tumbler/rocks glass to serve in

FAQ

2 oz gin (London dry works well)

1 oz fresh clementine juice (about 1 medium clementine)

1/2 oz fresh lemon juice

3/4 oz simple syrup (1:1)

6 fresh sage leaves plus a sprig for garnish

Ice (crushed or cubes)

Optional splash club soda or sparkling water

Clementine wheel or wedge for garnish

Q: Can I make this without alcohol? A: Yes, swap the gin for chilled soda water or a mild non alcoholic gin substitute and maybe add a tiny bit more clementine so it still tastes full.

Q: How do I store leftover fresh clementine juice? A: Keep it in an airtight container in the fridge and use within 24 to 48 hours for best flavor.

Q: What gin is best? A: A London dry is classic here because it has bright botanicals that play well with citrus and sage. But use what you like, a softer gin will make it more mellow.

Q: Can I prep this ahead? A: You can mix the juices and syrup and keep them chilled, but add gin and ice and shake right before serving so it stays bright.

Q: Why did my drink get bitter? A: You probably over muddled the sage or left the leaves with hot ice too long. Be gentle when muddling and taste as you go.

Q: How many does this recipe serve? A: It makes one cocktail. Multiply the ingredients for more servings and mix in a pitcher if you want to batch it.

Clementine Sage Gin Smash Recipe Substitutions and Variations

Gin: swap the 2 oz London dry gin for 2 oz vodka for a cleaner, more neutral drink, or 2 oz blanco tequila for a brighter, herb-y twist; vodka keeps the clementine front and center, tequila gives a savory kick.
Clementine juice: use 1 oz tangerine or mandarin juice, or 1 oz fresh sweet orange if clementines arent available; if the orange is sweeter add a little extra lemon to balance.
Simple syrup: replace the 3/4 oz simple syrup with 3/4 oz honey syrup (1:1 honey and warm water) or agave nectar; honey adds floral depth so you might want slightly less.
Sage: swap the 6 fresh sage leaves for 6 basil leaves for a brighter, peppery note, or use a few thyme sprigs for subtle earthiness, or a small rosemary sprig if you want a piney punch; muddle gently so it doesnt turn bitter.

Pro Tips

– Muddle the sage super gently, youre trying to bruise the leaves not shred them. A wooden spoon or a muddler wrapped in a paper towel works better than smashing, and muddling with the syrup first helps pull the oils without turning the herbs bitter.

– Double strain if you dont want tiny leaf bits in the glass, use a fine mesh strainer and even a coffee filter for extra silky texture. Also think about the ice: crushed gives that crunchy, fast dilution vibe, while one big cube keeps the drink colder longer and waters it down less.

– Taste as you go, dont just follow rules. Citrus and sweetness vary so start a little lighter on syrup and soda, you can always add more; if it feels too bright a tiny splash more syrup will calm it down.

– Play with the garnish to boost aroma. Smack the sage between your palms and rub the clementine peel around the rim to wake up the oils, and if you want a smoky note you can very briefly torch the sage but be careful with flames, it goes a long way.

Clementine Sage Gin Smash Recipe

Recipe by Sam Ecclestone

0.0 from 0 votes

I set out to pair fresh clementine and garden sage in a Clementine Gin Cocktail and landed on a clever bartending twist few people know.

Servings

servings

Calories

235

kcal

Equipment: 1. Cocktail shaker or sturdy mixing glass (or a mason jar if youre short on gear)
2. Muddler or sturdy wooden spoon to bruise the sage leaves
3. Jigger or measuring spoons for accurate pours
4. Citrus juicer or hand reamer for fresh clementine and lemon juice
5. Fine mesh strainer for the double strain so no leaf bits get in
6. Cocktail strainer or the shaker’s built in strainer to hold back solids
7. Bar spoon or long spoon to stir and gently top with soda
8. Paring knife and small cutting board for the clementine wheel and garnish
9. Ice scoop or tongs and a tumbler/rocks glass to serve in

Ingredients

2 oz gin (London dry works well)
1 oz fresh clementine juice (about 1 medium clementine)
1/2 oz fresh lemon juice
3/4 oz simple syrup (1:1)
6 fresh sage leaves plus a sprig for garnish
Ice (crushed or cubes)
Optional splash club soda or sparkling water
Clementine wheel or wedge for garnish

Directions

Put 6 fresh sage leaves in a shaker or sturdy mixing glass, add 3/4 oz simple syrup (1:1) and muddle gently to bruise the leaves and release oils, dont over muddle or it gets bitter.
Add 1 oz fresh clementine juice and 1/2 oz fresh lemon juice, give a quick stir so the juices mix with the sage syrup.
Pour in 2 oz gin (London dry works great) and fill the shaker with ice cubes.
Shake hard for about 10 to 15 seconds until the shaker feels cold and a little frosty.
Fill your serving glass with crushed ice or fresh cubes, then double strain the cocktail into the glass to keep leaf bits out, use a fine mesh strainer if you got one.
If you want a lighter finish add an optional splash of club soda or sparkling water on top and gently stir once.
Smack the reserved sage sprig between your palms to wake up the aroma, run a clementine wheel over the rim to express oils, then garnish with the sage sprig and the clementine wheel.
Serve immediately, sip and enjoy the bright citrus and herb combo while the ice is still crunchy.

Notes

Below you’ll find my best estimate of this recipe’s nutrition facts. Treat the numbers as a guide rather than a rule—great food should nourish both body and spirit. Figures are approximate, and the website owner assumes no liability for any inaccuracies in this recipe.