Seems like I’m determined to use the basil from my AeroGarden in cocktail recipes only! I came across this particular libation on Food & Wine’s website and it is delicious! The perfect alcoholic dessert at the end of a meal! Mixologist Jose Zepeda of Fix at the Bellagio in Las Vegas, NV has a knack for crafting refreshing seasonal martini and this particular one, which pairs basil with strawberries is a perfect and fun summer drink!
It’s also quite simple to make and calls for gin and vodka, two staples in any liquor cabinet. Start by making a simple syrup by combining half a cup of sugar and half a cup of water in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil then simmer until the sugar is dissolved, which should take about 3 minutes. Make sure you allow the syrup to cool completly before mixing it into your cocktail. To make one strawberry-basil martini, you only need 1/2 oz (or 1 tbsp) of the simple syrup, so you will have some left over, which can be refrigerated in a glass jar for up to one month.
Once you have your cool simple syrup, muddle 1 tablespoon (or 1/2 oz) of syrup with 3 strawberries (don’t forget to remove the stems beforehand!) and 3 basil leaves. In a shaker filled with ice, add the sweetened strawberry-basil mixture, 1 oz gin (2 tbsps), 1 oz vodka (2 tbsps) and 1/2 oz (1 tbsp) fresh lime juice. Shake well and strain into a chilled martini glass garnished with a strawberry slice.
A la vôtre!
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