Strawbasil Fields

STRAWBASIL FIELDS

    What hot Summer day doesn't consist of Strawberries and Basil.  No matter where you live, Summer doesn't happen until fresh strawberries are picked and Basil is grown.  When you combine these two flavors together, your taste buds receive some of the most refreshing sensation you will experience.  When I first came up with this cocktail a few years ago, people thought I was crazy because I added a pinch of fresh ground pepper.  What most people don't understand is that the pepper will bring the natural juices from the Strawberry as well as open up the Basil.  It ended up being a match made for the ages.

    Now that you know the history, it is time for me to share the ingredients needed to remake this refreshing, mouth watering, delicious cocktail.  We always start with the fresh ingredients, if you are lucky enough to have your own Strawberry and Basil plants, then you already have the freshest around (if your a normal human then getting your produce from a local farmers market or local grocery store will do).  When choosing a fresh Strawberry remember these tips to make sure it is the freshest you can get (Firm to the touch,bright red, free of bruising or mold, and the caps should be bright green and fully attached to the stem).  For the Basil always look for fresh vibrant green leaves with no dark spots of withering (you can store your basil by layering it in damp paper towels in a zip lock bag for up to four days).  For the best part of the cocktail, the vodka ( I will always stand by Titos Handmade Vodka) choose the perfect one for you but never go to cheap because of the hangover the super cheap vodkas give you (you know the one's that are named after a time of day).  Pure sugar cane is best to use in this recipe and not your homemade Simple Syrup because fresh sugar cotes to the Strawberries bringing out extra sweetness.  Always use your fresh lime juice you have in your bar, and with the black pepper I really like to grind my own into the cocktail because I know exactly how much I am putting in.

    I think you are ready to get the recipe for this amazing Summer Cocktail.

• 2 oz of your favorite Vodka ( I choose Titos)

• 2 Basil leaves torn in half

• 1 Fresh Strawberry cut in quarters

• 1/2 oz Pure Sugar Cane

• 1/2 a lime juiced

• Dash Black Pepper (2 grinds on a grinder will work) 

    Always rim your glassware with Basil to bring out more aromatics, in Old Fashioned glass, put the Strawberry, Basil, Sugar, Black Pepper, Lime juice, and a dash of water (this helps dissolve the sugar).  Muddle lightly to break up the Basil and Strawberry (we are not trying to make Jam, just releasing the flavors), add your Vodka and ice, pour mixture into Cocktail Shaker and hard shake for 5-10 times.  Strain Cocktail into an iced Old Fashioned glass and garnish with Fresh Strawberry slice.

     Finally, as always remember to enjoy your cocktails with people that make you happy and ALWAYS ENJOY LIFE.  Life is to short not to enjoy an amazing cocktail with the ones we love!!!!!