Strawberry and Basil Lemonade Cocktail

It’s been so hot and steamy outside – so let’s shakeup something cold, floral, and refreshing!

This gorgeous cocktail starts with three fresh summer ingredients. First are strawberries, now at their peak, their fragrance grabbing you as you stroll in the market. Then there’s an herbal note from basil and the intoxicating aroma released the minute you brush your hand across those deep, green leaves. And lemons, with their tart flavor and unmistakable scent that’s as bright as their color.

Looking for cocktail inspirations I stumbled across this idea while perusing through my files and books. Using these amazing flavors there was no doubt it was going to be a delicious twist on a classic lemonade. For the spirits, start with my one of my favorites – Plymouth Gin. It’s a perfect addition with aromatic notes of juniper, coriander, cardamom, lemon, and orange. Add a luscious splash of Cointreau to embolden the citrus profile. Pour in fresh lemonade and give it a good shake with ice until it’s chilled!

Pour the spirited lemonade over the berries, muddled with the herbs, then top it off with the effervescence of lemon soda.

Add a slice of strawberry on the side, a slice of lemon on top and you have one refreshingly beautiful cocktail!

Strawberry and Basil Lemonade Cocktail

2 large ripe strawberries, hulled

8 fresh basil leaves

¼ cup good gin, such as Plymouth

½ cup lemonade*

¼ cup Cointreau

½ cup lemon soda, lemon club soda or sparkling lemon water

Ice for shaking and serving

Extra strawberries and lemon slices for garnish

*For the lemon soda I use either San Pellegrino or Lorina French Soda.

Toss 1 strawberry and 4 basil leaves into two large highball glasses and muddle the berries with the basil leaves, crushing them together.

In a cocktail shaker add the gin along with the lemonade and the Cointreau.

Fill the shaker with ice and shake until very cold, about 1 minute.

Fill each highball glass with ice and divide the cocktail between them. Pour ¼ cup lemon soda in each glass to top off the cocktail. Stir to blend well.

Garnish with a strawberry slice and a slice of lemon. Makes two large cocktails.

*You can use fresh or your favorite store bought lemonade.

For fresh lemonade:

3-½ cups water, divided

1-½ cups sugar

1-½ cups freshly squeezed lemon juice, about 10 lemons

Extra lemon slices and ice for serving.

Pour ½ cup of the water into a small saucepan. Add the sugar and warm over medium heat. Stir frequently until the sugar has completely dissolved, about 5 to 7 minutes. Let the lemon simple syrup cool for about 10 minutes then pour it into a pitcher. Add the lemon juice.

Pour in the remaining 3 cups of water and stir to mix well. You can add more lemon juice or water if desired to suit your taste.

Squeeze every last drop of juice from the smallest lime to the largest grapefruit. The simple one handed operation from Breville’s Citrus Press allows you to create a delicious juice with minimal effort. After juicing, simply flip the juicing spout upwards to prevent drips. https://go.shopmy.us/p-63620778

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