Herb Infused Cocktail ~ Basil Honey Strawberry Smash

 

Strawberries and watermelon are the fruits of summer. Nothing says summer like a cool refreshing cocktail made from fresh strawberries and beautiful summer basil. With three types of basil growing in our garden our choices are plentiful and tasty. The honey in this drink is hot honey so it adds a kick of spice and a little sweet at the same time.

 

A key point for this drink is to muddle the strawberries, honey and basil until it’s almost liquid. This will help to mix the strawberries, basil and honey with the bourbon better once it is all combined. If you do not happen to have a muddler you can use a wooden spoon to break everything down.

 

Basil Honey Strawberry Smash

 

3-4 fresh or frozen strawberries

4-5 basil leaves

1/2 ounce hot honey

1 1/2 ounces bourbon or whiskey

Ice

 

Muddle together strawberries, basil and honey until liquid. Add in bourbon or whiskey. Mix well and top with ice. Garnish with strawberry and basil. These measurements are for one drink, add more for multiple drinks.

 

             

The hint of spice is just perfect in this drink for those who like an easy extra kick with their cocktail. Make this a mock tail by adding in club soda or sparkling water instead of bourbon. We selected a mix of purple basil and green basil for our drink to mix our basil flavors together.

 

This is a great drink to make as a batch to enjoy with friends on the upcoming holiday. As always enjoy responsibly by having a designated driver. Cheers!

Herb Infused Cocktail ~ Strawberry Mojito

 

 

               As the temperature starts to creep up in Texas, our herb infused cocktail for April is the perfect drink for sipping and enjoying together.  This month’s cocktail of the month, from The Oaks Bed and Breakfast is a Strawberry Mojito.  Our mint is looking amazing already this Spring and we wanted to take advantage of its bounty early.

               Simple in flavor and ingredients, this drink will be a crowd pleaser for sure.  Unless you are allergic to strawberries, be sure to put this drink on your must make list. If you are allergic change out with watermelon or blackberries.  This strawberry mojito is easy to scale up for larger groups to enjoy together.  If you have friends who do not drink alcohol, leave out the rum and finish off with sparkling water. 

Ingredients

 

3 fresh strawberries, diced

10-15 fresh mint leaves

½ medium lime, juiced about 1 tablespoon

1 ounce simple syrup

2 ounces of white Rum

Ice

Sparkling Water

 

Combine strawberries, mint, lime, and simple syrup into a glass and muddle the group together.  Stir in Rum.  Fill glass with ice, and then top with sparkling water.  Garnish with mint leaves, limes, and a fresh strawberry.

 

               While this is just a single serving for this drink, it can easily be made in a pitcher for friends to enjoy.  I just love how the mint really comes out in this drink when muddled well with the strawberries. The lime adds just the right amount of tart, to balance out the sweetness of the simple syrup. 

 

Mocktail version, sparkling water only.

               Let us know what you think and be sure to share your photos with us when you make one of The Oaks Bed and Breakfast, herb infused cocktails. As always please drink responsibly and have a designated driver.  Cheers!

 

Herb Infused Cocktail ~ Strawberry Basil Lemonade

    

     This month we wanted to feature a drink that brought out a bit of the American spirit.  What shows that more than a Lemonade.  This light and easy summer drink can be made for one or twenty.  So grab your friends and blend it up, everyone is sure to like this cocktail.

    You can customize your drink to fit your taste.  How you make your lemonade will determine how your drink is flavored for you.  We like our homemade lemonade to be a little bit more tart than sweet, so we add a little less sugar than maybe you would like.  Customize your drink to your tastes, we give you the starting points and you can work from there.

    If you enjoy the taste of strawberries, add a few more to your drink to really bring out the flavor.  It is pretty easy to make it what you want for you and your guests.  The simplicity is the best part of this drink, but the flavor and easy of creation, it a crowd favorite.

Strawberry Basil Lemonade

3 Lemons

1/4 cup sugar

1 cup warm water

4 strawberries

1/8 cup fresh basil

2 ounces Vodka

    Squeeze your lemons directly into a pitcher or blender.  Add in the sugar and warm water.  Stir till the sugar is dissolved.  Add in the strawberries, basil and vodka.  Mix until everything is well blended.  Pour over a sugar rimmed glass of ice for a added touch.  Garnish with a small strawberry, and basil.  Or a small slice of lemon and basil.  Enjoy with friends responsibly.  

    I felt liked we over blended ours, I should have stopped a little sooner.  The use of an immersion blender could also help reduce the "foam," but I really wanted to have that basil broken up.  Although I was disappointed with the froth at the top of the cup.  I should have strained it better to get a prettier cup, but did not think of that until later.  Either way the drink was smooth and refreshing.  You could not really taste the vodka in this drink, so you know it was a good mix.  

    As always, you can make it a mocktail, by eliminating the vodka and just using the above ingredients for your strawberry lemonade.  I would say, this recipe could easily make for two people so make your adjustments for the number of people and enjoy!  Always have a designated driver.  Cheers!