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Sweet Basil Paloma

I was watching Food Network on Sunday morning and Guy Fieri made a Pink Sombrero cocktail and I could not get my mouth to stop watering. My second liquor love behind Captain Morgan would be our good friend tequila. I just love it. I’ve gotten myself into a fair share of trouble with tequila shots (sorry to everyone who’s ever had to witness it – especially my fiancĂ© Ben), but I just can’t stay away. I don’t drink much tequila in the winter months, but it’s been a balmy 50+ degrees here in West Virginia the past few days so here goes nothing!

Guy Fieri used a basil simple syrup and I just had to get into that. I made my own, recipe below, and I used Grapefruit La Croix because I’ve been on a total La Croix binge lately and had some in my fridge.

Spicy Basil Paloma Cocktail

3 oz. tequila
1 oz. basil simple syrup
2 oz. grapefruit juice
2 oz. Grapefruit La Croix
Ice
Juice from one lime wedge
Basil leaf garnish

Basil Simple Syrup

5 basil leaves with stems
1 cup water
1 cup sugar

In a small saucepan, add your water, sugar and basil leaves.

basil simple syrup recipe

Bring to a slow simmer and cook until the sugar is completely dissolved and you have a thicker, syrupy consistency. Pour into a container and store in the fridge until you’re ready to get your tequila on.

basil simple syrup

For the cocktail, start by salting the rim of your glass. Next, fill your glass 3/4 full with ice.

Add your tequila, simple syrup, lime juice and then top with your La Croix. Stir and enjoy!

basil paloma cocktail

basil paloma



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