Basil Martini
Keeping Summer alive with this basil martini cocktail full of fresh herb flavors and tart lime!
While everyone, including myself, is catching fall fever I have a bit of summer left to share in this refreshing cocktail.
I am not a successful gardener but herbs are the one thing I can grow well, and so I tend to grow an abundance.
Currently, there is still enough warmth in our South Georgia days to reward me with bunches of basil. I started from seed in April and with lots of pinching off the top leaves, I’ve had basil to use all summer.
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My husband grew a nice crop of tomatoes and we enjoyed loads of Caprese, made plenty of pesto and I even submerged the basil leaves in olive oil and froze in ice cube trays to use all year in sauces and soups.
But when I pinned a recipe for a Basil Gimlet I discovered a new way to use handfuls of my harvest.
Basil simple syrup!! Just heat equal parts sugar and water until dissolved and, off heat, add in a few cups of basil leaves, it’s all to taste so start with a cup of basil for each cup of sugar, let the basil infuse the syrup until cooled and store airtight for up to two weeks in the fridge.
You’ll love the combination of basil and black pepper with just a hint of sweetness served up in a chilled martini glass.
If you love martinis like I do, check out my dirty martini cheese ball and this espresso martini!
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Basil Martini with Lime and Black Pepper
Ingredients
Basil Simple Syrup:
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup water
- 1 cup fresh basil leaves washed
Basil Martini:
- 4 oz vodka
- 4 oz basil simple syrup
- 4 oz fresh lime juice
- Ice cubes
- Fresh basil leaves
- Freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
Basil Simple Syrup:
- Combine the sugar and water in saucepan and heat until sugar dissolves.
- Remove from heat and add basil leaves.
- Let stand until room temperature, transfer to airtight container and store in the fridge for up to two weeks.
Basil Martini:
- Fill martini glasses with ice and water to chill.
- Pour out ice and water.
- Shake first three ingredients in a cocktail shaker, strain into empty, chilled martini glasses.
- Add one to two turns of freshly ground black pepper and a basil leaf for garnish.
Notes
Nutrition
Recipe inspired by Modern Wifestyle.
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Good guest post by Chrissy :). We have basil herbs in our garden, and lime too, just need to get black pepper for recipe. So healthy to taste it, need to add less sugar to make more healthy. My mom used to give me honey, basil and a black ingredient (don’t remember the name) when I was suffering from fever , it worked like medicine 🙂 (it was holy basil, I think).
I love when she visits because she has the BEST ideas!! She is the person I steal all my fresh basil and mint from since I can’t keep them alive at my house. Thanks for reading and if you remember that black ingredient I would love to know what it was!
The basil and the pepper! Dying for one of these. Sorry it took me so long to get over here. Dog be kickin’ my butt.
Sounds like your pup can use a cocktail too!
It’s 5 o’clock somewhere. If I could drink and get my work done I’d be drinking a bloody mary at 7 am!
Me too! Still freezing mine for the Fall so I can relive Summer when it’s cold!
It’s 9am on a Monday and I really want to make this cocktail! Is that bad???? 🙂 Looks soooo yummy!
I love using fresh herbs in cocktails, this martini sounds wonderful!
Wow!I love this! I love strawberry and black pepper, but not tried lime and black pepper before, it sounds awesome! And with basil? amazing!
Thanks Michelle! I love strawberries and black pepper too. Also balsamic! Lime and black pepper is just as good:)
Looks so refreshing,amazing flavors!
Thanks so much!!! I hope you like it!
Basil simple syrup is one I haven’t tried yet!!
This is a must for your awesome cocktails list!! I love all your syrups!
Now this is my kind of martini! The flavor combination sounds out of this world!
Thanks! It’s definitely different and tasty!!
Let the party get started with this drink!
Thanks Kristen!! I hope you like it!
I’m always looking for unique cocktails and this definitely fits that description! I love the basil simple syrup. This looks perfect for Friday Happy Hour or a Sunday afternoon football party!
It’s always 5 o’clock somewhere! Thanks for reading!!
I’ve made drinks with basil but never with black pepper. That is simply brilliant. I will love these.
I thought it would be weird but it totally works!
I am so intrigued by this cocktail. I have all the ingredients too. I will have to give it a try while my fresh basil is growing strong.
Thanks! I hope you like it! I have consumed so many this past week!
I love the idea of making simple syrups with fresh herbs! Still a chance to do that even up here in New Hampshire. Even though today is the first day of fall, I’m having a hard time letting summer go! Cheers!
YEEESSSS! I know it’s only Tuesday, but can I have one please? I like the sound of the basil syrup. As soon as I get my hands on some basil I’ll be making some and trying out this delish sounding drink (by which time it might be Friday and therefore more acceptable to hit the vodka).
It’s always acceptable to drink vodka! If I didn’t have to drive the kids to school and then work I’d drink a bloody mary for breakfast. I guess I will have to stick to protein shakes:(