Since summer is fast approaching, I thought I would kick it off with some booze. Strawberry and basil muddled together to make a fun drink for an afternoon or evening sip session. HELLO!
I listen to the Joy the Baker Podcast, and this week the ladies have assigned some fun homework. They want listeners to blog about what’s on their summer bucket list! Awesome! To contribute I have come up with five things that I want to do this summer:
1. Go strawberry picking and make jam with hand-picked strawberries. –> Done!
2. Make homemade dill pickles.
3. Go camping on a lake with my boy. –> Done!
4. Go to a drive-in movie theatre.
5. Cross two items off of my 30 things to do before 30 list (maybe learn to french braid my hair)!
I hope I can get these things done! And I can think of ways to make it happen with a drink….
To begin, make your strawberry syrup.
Then use the back of a spoon or a muddler to bruise the basil in the bottom of the glass.
Add the strawberry syrup and ice.
Add rum.
Top off the drink with sparkling water. Give it a taste here. If it’s not sweet enough you can either add more strawberry syrup or simply add some extra sugar to the drink. I did! Garnish with strawberry slices and basil leaves and serve immediately.
Enjoy! And happy weekend. What’s on your summer bucket list?
Strawberry-Basil Mojitos
Recipe adapted from Pink Parsley
Makes enough for 2 drinks
Strawberry Syrup:
2 cup sliced strawberries
4 tbsp sugar
2 tsp lemon juice
Pinch of salt
4 tbsp cold water
Combine all the ingredients in the bowl of a food processor and puree until smooth. Strain the syrup through a strainer to remove the seeds (or not if you like them). Chill until ready to use.
For each Mojito:
2-3 fresh basil leaves
5 tbs strawberry syrup
Ice
1 1/2 oz. light rum
Sparkling water (enough to fill up whatever glass you’re using)
*optional: extra sugar to taste
Strawberry slices and basil leaves for garnish
Use the back of a spoon or a muddler to bruise the basil in the bottom of the glass. Add the strawberry syrup, ice, and rum, and top off the drink with sparkling water. Give it a taste here. If it’s not sweet enough you can either add more strawberry syrup or simply add some extra sugar to the drink. I sure did!
Garnish with strawberry slices and basil leaves and serve immediately.
Warm Vanilla Sugar 
I know how to french braid.. if only I could get there…My list? Probs to try this drink for sure!
Love the idea of a summery bucket list! And cocktails involving basil!
Oh! Yum . . . even though it’s only 10am, that looks really refreshing to me. I can tell it’s going to be a very hot day here. I’ve never used basil in a drink but I love the idea. And who can resist the strawberries?? Lovely!
I always drool when I see cocktails that fresh as this one, and I never prepare them… Boo me. I think I should start! With this one :)
this looks awesome! + i love your summer bucket list. i need to add the drive-in to mine, too – hubs + i haven’t been in probably 2-3 years. and that’s just not acceptable! =)
I have a whole pinboard of fun mixed drinks to try on Pinterest and this is going on there for sure. Yum! Joy the Baker is the cutest, isn’t she?
YUM! And beautiful photos
Strawberry basil is one of those crazy flavor combos that I happen to go crazy for! Drinking does seem to help get those creative juices flowing doesn’t it…can’t wait to see how you tackle that summer bucket list AND your 30 by 30!
Oh this sounds wonderful. And I’ve been looking for more ways to use my out of control basil!
Holy YUM! So when is the cocktail party????
Anytime here…haha!
mmm these look so great and summery! i love using basil in place of mint!
love this! i made fresh strawberry mojitos a few weeks ago – sooooo goood!
Oh these look perfect for an afternoon refresher!! :)
Love strawberry mojitos! Adding basil is a fantastic idea! A pitcher of this would really do me some good now! :)
I love your summer bucket list! Going to the drive-in is one of my favorite summer activities :) This mojito sounds amazing, and a perfect way to use some of the herbs I’m growing on my deck!
Awww no way! I have no idea where to even find a drive-in! I think there is one about 30 minutes away – I’m totally going :)
These look and sound fantastic! I will have to make this for sure. Thanks!
What a nice cool beverage! I like your list. I should make one.
YES! You totally should :)
I LOVE your bucket list!! and mojitos too of course.
I want this now!!!! It looks so perfect for summer! And I love your list, looks like a great summer for you!
I want to drink these alllll summer long. That is my bucket list :) Lovely as usual!
Wow … interesting beverage combo!
I like 1 and 4, I love a raspberry jam and I always wanted to go to the drive in cinema :)
Whoa. Hold the phone. This looks insaaaaane. (Insane as in awesome, of course.) I want to have a party just so I can make a bunch of these for my guests. Also, camping on lakes is awesome (I would imagine even better with a boy), and I have heard so many people talking about going to drive-ins; I’m jealous you can even go to a drive-in! I’m pretty sure the last one in Colorado was torn down years ago.
Dang! Yeah, I think the closest one is about 30 minutes away – they sure aren’t common anymore!!
I totally want to go to a drive-in movie now! Great list–over from the Joy the Baker podcast!
You have such a beautiful blog; I’m so glad to have found it through the homefries hw assignment! I might try going to a drive-in too this summer–thanks for reminding me of my desire to do that :D
So happy you stopped by!! I checked out your bucket list and I totally need to read more too. Great idea!
YUM! This sounds delicious! I love your summer bucket list, it’s quite close to mine!
AHHHHHHH! Looks so good! Found you from Joy the Baker podcast— look forward to reading more!
@graylinsample
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I love Joy and Tracy! The cocktail looks amazing! I can’t wait to try!
This sounds refreshing! I just ran into your blog! Love it!