Tomorrow we visit Wolf Pine Farm, which I’ll be sure to report on. For now though, here’s a a welcoming drink; a delicious summer cocktail I lifted from the July issue of Gourmet magazine. It was hard to have just one.
adapted from Gourmet magazine
makes 6 drinks
1 cup lemon basil syrup*
3/4 cup vodka
3/4 cup fresh lemon juice
1/2 cup sparkling water
1 cup ice cubes
Fresh basil sprigs, for garnish
Stir together all ingredients in a pitcher until cold, then strain into 8-ounce glasses half filled with ice.
Lemon Basil Syrup
1 packed cup fresh basil leaves
1 cup water
3/4 cup sugar
Zest from 1 lemon, peeled with a vegetable peeler
Bring all ingredients to a boil in a small saucepan, stirring until to dissolve sugar.
Cool; strain syrup through a sieve into a bowl or measuring cup. Chill until cold.
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Ronnie
August 6, 20077:17 pm
This sounds and looks absolutely divine. Just returned from Maine. Miss it already. On our next trip I will have to visit Wolf Pine Farm. I look forward to reading your post.
Karen
August 6, 20077:28 pm
Thanks, Ronnie. They are divine – I’ll be happy to enjoy some more Maine for you …keep you posted.
scottinhawaii
August 6, 20078:05 pm
I too made this recipe. I loved it. Their other suggestion to make lemonade with the Basil Syrup was really nice too.
valentinA
August 6, 20079:40 pm
Oh *slurps!!* your drinks look great & ever so refreshing Karen!
Karen
August 6, 20079:50 pm
Scott, I’m ready to try the lemonade too!
Valentina, I hope you try it…
Deborah Dowd
August 7, 20074:02 am
You are having a Sandra Lee moment brought on by home renovation! A good cocktail will go a long way toward erasing memories of chipping paint, water damage and the sore muscles that come from fixing them! I think I’ll give this one a try!
Karen
August 7, 20077:10 am
Deborah you’re too funny!
Although the thought of Sandra Lee makes me cringe…I might need another gimlet.
Patricia Scarpin
August 7, 20079:46 am
Karen,
My husband makes caipirinha for me and sometimes he adds a few basil leaves to the mixture – it’s just delicious!
I know I’m gonna love this drink of yours!
Grant
August 7, 200710:11 am
Holy cow this sounds great. I love combining herbs in cocktails and vodka with lemonade is one of my favorite summer drinks. I am SO making this.
I am new to your blog and from what I’ve seen so far, I love it. I’m going to have to explore some more. Thanks!
Karen
August 7, 200712:59 pm
Patricia, aren’t you the lucky one?
Here’s to husbands who tend bar – Clink!
Grant, Hello there – thanks for visiting.
I hope you like the drink. Cheers!
Sarah
August 8, 20077:33 am
Love the look of these–I love the trend of using herbs in cocktails. Basil I would think would work especially well because of its wonderful spicy aroma.
Karen
August 8, 20077:48 am
Sarah – I do too!
Although the recipe I just saw somewhere for a Pickled Onion and Parsley Martini might be pushing it.
Nupur
August 12, 20076:45 am
I could use one of these drinks right about now! It is only 9 in the morning and it is already blazing hot…wow, St. Louis summer is worse than summers in Bombay…
Lisa
August 28, 20079:10 am
I made regular vodka gimlets recently, and they were quite refreshing. This version is over-the-top wonderful! I am making these ASAP. Thanks!
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