This week’s Friday Cocktail is my fresh Basil Gimlet. This fragrant twist on the gimlet cocktail gets its clean green notes not from lime juice but from fresh basil. For extra glamour and aroma, tuck small sprigs of additional basil into each glass and yes I got my Basil from my garden which makes it extra special. This is a perfect last day of summer cocktail!
Traditional gimlets are made of gin, lime and simple syrup, shaken with ice and strained into a martini glass. They’re similar to gin martinis, but with lime juice instead of vermouth. In my twist on a traditional gimlet, I added basil and substituted agave nectar for local honey and vodka instead of gin.
This cocktail came right on time since I had a un-nerving, scary experience with a shooting across the street from my son’s school. I got a call from him that there was a shooting at school and he was barricaded in the bathroom with his classmates. Panic traveled thru my body but thankfully he was okay and only one child and one teacher had wounds that weren’t fatal.
What’s is happening to our world?
Ali in the Valley
Friday Cocktail: Basil Gimlet
This cocktail has satisfying combination of mint and basil flavors. It’s perfect for sipping in warm weather or any time you want a zippy, refreshing drink.
Ingredients
6 large basil leaves – cut into strips or finely chopped
Zest from ½ lime
Juice from one lime mine was 1/25 oz
½ oz simple syrup or honey which I used
2.5 oz vodka
Directions
- Muddle the basil leaves, lime zest, lime juice and simple syrup at the bottom of a cocktail shaker.
- Let it stand approximately 5 minutes to let the flavors blend
- Add the vodka and fill the cocktail shaker ½ to ⅔ of the way full with ice
- Shake and strain if you aren’t into the basil leaves.
- Pour into a glass and add a basil spring for a garnish, if you desire.
