Yahoo News Cool down with a glass of strawberry basil vodka lemonade
Fruity and refreshing, this is one of my favourite cocktails to serve during the summer. Basil and strawberries make for an utterly delicious combination, with the sweetness offset by a good dose of lemon juice and vodka. Be sure to use a high-quality vodka for this, as it makes all the difference. You can make the cocktail base a day ahead if you like, adding the soda water just before serving. Just remember to keep it very cold in the fridge, and always serve chilled.
Strawberry basil vodka lemonade
Ingredients
2 punnets strawberries, washed, stemmed and roughly chopped
500g caster sugar
500ml water
A handful of basil leaves
300ml lemon juice
500ml vodka (I like Grey Goose)
500ml soda water
Ice and fresh basil, to garnish
Method
Place the strawberries, sugar and water in a saucepan and bring to a simmer until the sugar is dissolved. Take off the heat, add the basil leaves and allow to infuse for 10 minutes.
Place the mixture into a food processor and pulse until broken down. Sieve into a jug, add the lemon juice and allow it to come to room temperature before adding the vodka. Refrigerate until very cool.
Add the vodka and soda water, stir well and pour into glasses filled with ice up to three-quarters of their height. Garnish with a sprig of fresh basil.
