Boozy Strawberry Basil Lemonade

By vealam

Ingredients

• Strawberry Basil Infused Vodka:
• Fresh strawberries, washed, air dried, and hulled
• fresh basil leaves, washed and air dried
• fair quality vodka
• Also needed:
• One clean canning jar with a new, two-piece lid
• Lemonade:
• ice
• 1 ounce (2 tablespoons) simple syrup
• 2 ounces (4 tablespoons) Strawberry Basil Infused Vodka*
• 2 fresh strawberries, divided
• 1 fresh basil leaf plus extra for garnish
• 1/4 of a lemon plus two slices, divided
• splash of well-chilled plain seltzer water, optional

Details

Servings 1
Adapted from foodiewithfamily.com

Preparation

Step 1

Infused Vodka:
Cut strawberries into pieces and load into the jar, layering in the basil leaves among the strawberries. You shouldn't squish the strawberries into the jar, but you should fill it full and to within 1/2-inch of the rim of the jar.

Important Note about the Basil: For a quart jar, add 2 large or 4 small basil leaves. For a pint, add 1 large or 2 small basil leaves.

Fix the lid tightly in place on the jar and shake vigorously 4 or 5 times. Let the vodka infuse in a cool, dark place for 3 days. Open the jar and sniff... Does it smell strongly of strawberries? You're ready! You can strain it into a clean jar and store in a cool dark place for up to a year as long as the temperature doesn't fluctuate. For optimal flavour retention, strain out the fruit and basil and store, tightly lidded, in the freezer.

Lemonade:
Fill a cocktail shaker with ice then add the simple syrup, Strawberry Basil Infused Vodka, and 1 fresh basil leaf and 1 whole strawberry. Squeeze the 1/4 lemon into the cocktail shaker and drop the squeezed lemon piece into the shaker as well. Add 1 of the slices of lemon. Put the lid on the shaker and shake vigorously for 30 seconds to 1 minute, or until the shaker feels very cold. Strain the Boozy Strawberry Basil Lemonade into a martini or cocktail glass and add a splash of plain seltzer water. Garnish with the remaining slice of lemon and strawberry and a sprig of fresh basil.