School may have started, but it's not the end of summer yet! Labor Day weekend is upon us, and fall does not officially start until the autumnal equinox on September 23rd. In the "spirit" of prolonging every teacher's favorite season, we gathered a few tantalizing summertime ingredients to create a cocktail we're calling "The Berry Patch" (special thanks to D and J for taste-testing and tweaking the name). Light, sweet, herby and slightly bubbly, these go down nice and easy!
The Berry Patch
(makes a small pitcher, about six drinks)Ingredients:
12-14 fresh strawberries, chopped
6-8 leaves fresh basil, torn
1 cup cranberry juice (100% juice, not cranberry cocktail)
1 cup vodka
ice
club soda (optional)
extra berries and/or basil leaves for garnish
In a pitcher, muddle the chopped strawberries with the torn basil leaves.
Add the cranberry juice, lemonade and vodka.
Add ice, stir and allow to sit for 15 minutes. Strain into chilled martini glasses. Add a splash of club soda on top if you like it bubbly, and garnish as desired.
I would like one of these right now! It sounds so delicious and refreshing. I love it when berries are included in a cocktail during summer!
ReplyDeleteAnything that includes a muddler is good by me. A toast to all teachers who have their summers extended a little with this drink! :)
ReplyDeleteLooks perfect for a hot Summer afternoon!
ReplyDeleteFound you through foodbuzz!
Perfect accompaniment to filling out paperwork, correcting papers, or tossing it aside and relaxing!
ReplyDeleteMmm.... I think I could taste test a whole pitcher of this one right now! It looks so tasty and light! Yum!
ReplyDeleteSounds delicious! I have a strawberry-basil sorbet recipe that's one of my favorites. It's such a great flavor combination...
ReplyDeletemmmmmmm muddled berries. :)
ReplyDeleteWhat a great drink to have to celebrate the end of summer, though, this looks so good, I could hav it year round!
ReplyDeleteWow, that sounds so refreshing!
ReplyDeleteI have a feeling this will be a hit with the staff at school (where I work....SIGH). Thank you for the new idea on a drink...I will need one to celebrate surviving the first week back!!
ReplyDeleteThis sounds amazing! I wish I had some of this right now. Love strawberry and basil flavor combo.
ReplyDeleteWho says healthy cocktail is an oxymoron? This is full on antioxidants! ;)
ReplyDeleteAs if we need a reason...
I love basil in cocktails. I will make these before the end of summer, for sure. :)
ReplyDeleteThis sounds so refreshing, and with that basil in the cocktail, I'm sure it adds such a great herbal note =)
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