I started my first herb garden this year. I named my first two little herb sprouts after two of my good friends in Chicago, Katie and Caitlin. I nurtured them for a month and Katie and Caitlin grew into a whole bunch of thyme and rosemary!
I also planted basil and cilantro in another planter and have had some success, specifically with the basil! A little too successful actually. I realized it was getting a little out of control, but I didn’t really know what to do with it once it had grown. I googled ‘what do you do with basil after you’ve grown it?’ and got my first tutorial on pruning herbs. The next step was to ask my friend Lenna to come over and PLEASE help me taste test some cocktails made with my home grown basil. She didn’t put up a fight (thanks Lenna!)
We played around with a few measurements and had three cocktails (each… oops) and I think we came up with a winner!
Cucumber Basil Fizz Cocktail Recipe
3 oz. vodka
1 oz. lime juice
1 oz. simple syrup
2 basil leaves
1 slice cucumber
2-3 oz. soda water
Start by muddling your cucumber and basil. I honestly don’t have a muddler (it’s on my registry, I swear!), so I just used a wooden spoon.
Add your vodka, lime juice and simple syrup and stir to combine. Strain over a glass of ice and then top with your soda water. I actually used lime flavored La Croix in mine, but soda water would work too!
Top with an additional basil leaf and sip!
Note: I think this would be bomb with gin as well! You could also skip the vodka completely and use a little more soda water for an alcohol free drink this summer. Enjoy!
