Shake up a delightful bouquet of citrus from limes and herbal notes from basil, sweetened with a Southern staple, simple syrup. This is one cocktail that’s perfectly refreshing on a warm afternoon.
Lemonade is a drink that most often comes to mind in the spring and summer months. But so often the lowly lime is forgotten. Unless you’ve been to Costco and bought limes, then you best be creative!
A classic gin and tonic is one of our favorite drinks though I’m always trying new things. Looking through a stack of recipes for ideas I ran across a recipe for a basic limeade. I had limes (a lot of limes) and I had simple syrup (always). So why not mix the two drinks? Starting with a great spirit is important when blending any cocktail. Nolet’s Dry Gin Silver is ideal for this cocktail, with its fresh floral and fruity layers. The recipe I found for the limeade included mint, which I didn’t have on hand but I had basil growing on the patio. In place of tonic, I poured in a splash of club soda for that touch of fizz!
If you’re looking for a new spirit to try, do a little research and look for additional information on the flavor notes. The essence of the spirit will change depending on a number of factors including ingredients, distilling process and the aging process. Then keep in mind any mixers and other ingredients you’re planning to add to your cocktail.
It’s Friday and we’ve made it through another week. So shake up a cocktail, head to the patio and enjoy!
Gin and Basil Limeade
10 to 12 fresh basil leaves
4 tablespoons simple syrup*
4 tablespoons freshly squeezed lime juice, about 2 limes
8 tablespoons good gin
4 to 6 tablespoons club soda
1 cup ice, plus extra for serving
Extra basil leaves for garnish, optional
Drop the basil leaves into a cocktail shaker and pour in the simple syrup.
Muddle the basil leaves together with the simple syrup.
Pour in the fresh lime juice along with the gin.
Fill the shaker with ice and shake vigorously until the cocktail is chilled, about 20 seconds.
Divide the cocktail between two highball glasses filled with ice. Top with 2 to 3 tablespoons of club soda per glass and stir to mix.
Garnish with sprigs of fresh basil.
Makes 2 cocktails.
*To make a basic simple syrup:
3 cups of sugar
2 cups of water
Combine in a small saucepan and warm over medium heat. Cook, stirring occasionally until the sugar has completely dissolved, about 10 minutes.
Let the syrup cool and keep refrigerated. Makes about 2-½ cups of simple syrup.
Gin and Basil Limeade
Equipment
- cocktail shaker
Ingredients
- 10 to 12 fresh basil leaves
- 4 tablespoons simple syrup*
- 4 tablespoons freshly squeezed lime juice, about 2 limes
- 8 tablespoons good gin
- 4 to 6 tablespoons club soda
- 1 cup ice, plus extra for serving
- Extra basil leaves for garnish, optional
- For a batch of simple syrup:
- 3 cups sugar
- 2 cups water
Instructions
- Drop the basil leaves into a cocktail shaker and pour in the simple syrup.
- Muddle the basil leaves together with the simple syrup.
- Pour in the fresh lime juice along with the gin.
- Fill the shaker with ice and shake vigorously until the cocktail is chilled, about 20 seconds.
- Divide the cocktail between two highball glasses filled with ice.
- Top with 2 to 3 tablespoons of club soda per glass and stir to mix.
- Garnish with sprigs of fresh basil.
- For the simple syrup: Combine in a small saucepan and warm over medium heat. Cook, stirring occasionally until the sugar has completely dissolved, about 10 minutes.
- Let the syrup cool and keep refrigerated. Makes about 2-½ cups of simple syrup.
