Notes of lime and basil dance in this dreamy cocktail. An easy late summer sip to savor the seasonal flavor and cool down with this mellow herbal blend.
Prep time: 5 minutes
Serves: 1
Pairs well with: Salads, Thai cuisine, or with a great appetizer plate
Ingredients:
- 7 fresh large basil leaves
- 1 oz of simple syrup (recipe follows)
- ¾ ounces of freshly squeezed lime juice
- 1.5 ounces of dry gin
Method:
- Make your simple syrup: mix ½ cup water and ½ cup granulated sugar in a small saucepan over medium to high heat, stir, and bring to a boil to dissolve the sugar. Remove pan from heat and let cool. This can easily be made up to a week ahead of time and stored in the fridge for later use.
- In the bottom of a cocktail shaker, using a muddler, muddle down the basil leaves well to release the oils. Add in the simple syrup, freshly squeezed lime juice, gin, then add the ice.
- Cover, and shake well to incorporate all the ingredients.
- Strain into your martini glass, and garnish with a basil leaf or lime wheel.
Notes:
- Use only fresh basil for this, preferably organic if you can for the freshest flavor.
- Tanqueray Gin is for wonderful for this, but Bombay Sapphire or Aviation Gin would be great as well.
- Not a fan of Gin? No problem! Substitute it with your favorite vodka.
- Chill your martini glasses in the freezer before serving to keep this cocktail extra cool.
All photos by Marla Smith Photography
