Whip It Up: Week 6

The worst part about this recipe--this delicious, refreshing summer cocktail recipe--is that I am telling it to you at the end of the summer. I actually only just discovered this drink when I was at Rye last month, otherwise I swear I would have shared it sooner. I also would not have spent June drinking Jose Cuervo pre-mixed margaritas.

I don't have an exact recipe for this drink, but I watched the bartender very closely. I'm not going to give you precise measurements, because I don't know any precise measurements. And, also, I think once you get the basic idea you can add more sugar or more lime juice or more vodka to make it sweeter, tarter, or, um, more alcoholic to your liking.  I'll also provide a link at the end for a real recipe with actual measurements for those of you who are, like, WTF? I NEED preciseness! I NEED unambiguous instructions! I NEED exact details! To which I say: WHOA, you definetely NEED this drink. Maybe three or four of them. And maybe some therapy.

Here's what you are going to need: limes, fresh basil, simple syrup, vodka, ice.

Let's make two drinks. You'll want to make four, but only two fit in the shaker so start with two.

Squeeze three limes into a cocktail shaker. Add four or five fresh basil leaves and some simple syrup. Maybe 1/8 cup of the simple syrup, give or take. Mash the ingredients together to release the basil flavor. This will also create itty bitty bits of basil that will make the drink pretty.

Add two (or three) generous shots of vodka and a bunch of ice to the lime-basil-sugar mixture and shake. Shake, shake, shake.

Strain into a glass, garnish with a sprig of basil if you want to be fancy, and enjoy!

If you don't like basil, you could try it with mint leaves instead, which I guess would be a sort of vodka twist on the mojito. If you run out of simple syrup, just pour some granulated sugar into the shaker and add a bit of water.

There's a "real" recipe for a Basil Vodka Gimlet at Epicurious, although it's not quite the same and uses lemon instead of limes. Go with the limes, people. Go with the limes.

Comments

[RA]

Ooh, yum! And more importantly, where did you get that cute top?

[Nicole]

Sounds delicious! Can't wait to try it!

[Insta-mom]

Please tell me that I am seeing Will's MONOGRAM on your cocktail shaker. Because that totally cements my image of him (in the best way possible, I promise).

[heidikins]

Lime Rickies!! These are one of my favorite drinks EVER! Heart! :o)

xox

[Zandria]

Oooh, I remember that drink! Yummy! :)

[Belle]

That sounds delicious...I believe I'll have to have one tomorrow night when I get home from the big move!

[PomJob]

Sounds yummy! Love your shirt, too.

[kathryn]

yeah that shirt is CUTE!!!