Garden cocktail recipes
Lemon basil spritzer You can transform this spritzer into a happy hour version by replacing half of the sparkling water with white wine. Ingredients: 1 to 2 tablespoons Lemon Basil Simple Syrup, a basic infusion of basil, water and sugar (see recipe online) Sparkling water Lemon slice Method: Fill a tall glass with ice and add Lemon Basil Simple Syrup as directed or to taste. Top it with sparkling water and stir vigorously to incorporate the syrup. Squeeze in a slice of lemon juice for an added lemony tang.
Watermelon/Mint Prosecco Ingredients: 2 pounds (907 grams) watermelon pulp 15 mint leaves, roughly chopped 1 tablespoon superfine sugar (optional) Prosecco Method: In a blender, make a purée of watermelon, mint and superfine sugar. (Superfine sugar dissolves better in cold or room-temperature liquid. You can make your own by grinding regular sugar in a blender or with a mortar and pestle.) Strain the watermelon and mint purée through a fine-mesh sieve and discard the solids. Add 5 tablespoons of purée to a fluted champagne glass and top with chilled prosecco.
Lemon basil simple syrup This simple syrup can be used to make a variety of drinks. You can substitute the lemon basil with sweet Genovese, Thai or purple varieties, or go in a different direction entirely with mint, anise hyssop and lemon verbena. Ingredients: 3/4 cup sugar 1/2 cup lemon basil leaves, loosely packed Method: Bring sugar and 3/4 cup water to a boil in a medium saucepan and continue stirring until the sugar has dissolved completely. Add the basil and simmer for one more minute. Keep stirring to keep it from sticking to the pan or burning. Remove from heat and cover with a lid. Allow the mixture to continue steeping at room temperature for 2 to 4 hours or overnight. Strain into a glass bottle and store in the fridge for up to 1 month. Makes 1 cup.
Lemon basil gimlet This refreshing herbal take on the traditional gimlet updates the classic subtly yet deliciously. Ingredients: 1/2 ounce Lemon Basil Simple Syrup 1 ounce gin 1/2 ounce lime juice 2 ounces sparkling water Method: Fill a cocktail shaker with ice and add Lemon Basil Simple Syrup, gin and lime juice. Shake vigorously. Strain into a glass filled with fresh ice cubes and top up with sparkling water. Garnish with a sprig of lemon basil.