This Strawberry Basil Vodka Cocktail is the perfect smooth sip for summer!  A refreshing mix of fresh strawberries, herbaceous basil, crisp 7UP and subtle vodka, this fruity cocktail is ideal for relaxing or entertaining!

This post is sponsored by 7UP® in partnership with Walmart.  All thoughts and opinions expressed here are my own.  Thank you for supporting the brands that make NSN possible!  #MixItUpALittle

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Hi-ya, friends!

Ummm, can we please talk about the fact that memorial day, and the unofficial start of summer, is only four days away?!

FOUR!!  As in just 96 hours!  Or, merely 5,760 minutes!

I mean, whoa (<- said exactly like Joey Lawrence), right?

Winter seemed to go on for FOOOOOREVER.

And spring has gone by in a FLASH.

I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again.  Father time is a mystery.  But, according to Madonna, I guess that’s just life in general.

I just hope summer decides to mimic winter and stay for a while, because I want to savor every last drop of summer and bask in all its warmth and glory.

So, do you guys have any plans for summer, either big or small?

We have one VERY big plan for summer.  But, it’s a plan I’ve been keeping a secret since, ohhhhh, about November of last year.  🙊

But, if we are friends on the book of face (otherwise known as Facebook for all you cool people), or you happened to peep the ONE Instagram story I’ve shared all year, you already know my dirty little secret.

Hopefully I will be sharing the good news sometime soon on this here blog, but I’m overly superstitious.  So I don’t want to fully broadcast what I’ve been up to until everything is said and done.

You know the saying, ‘when you make plans, God laughs’?  Yeah, that’s my biggest fear.

Anyways, other than my bigger than BIG plan, I definitely see a beach vacation sometime in my future.

And, summer BBQ’s on repeat!

With ALL the fruity, fresh cocktails.  Obviously.  😉

I mean, you simple CAN’T do summer without a refreshing cocktail (or 5), and that’s where 7UP comes into play.

7UP’s crisp, clean taste is THE perfect addition to any, and every, celebratory summer libation!

No 7UP in your pantry?!  Shame on you.  Get your tuchus to Walmart and grab a pack or two.  🙌

Strawberry Basil Vodka Cocktail

The liquid embodiment of summer going on right here!

This libation is sweet, tart, herbaceous and fruit forward.  With prominent notes of strawberry and basil, a sweet sugar coated rim, a refreshing, cool 7UP touch, and a splash of boozy bodacious vodka, this smooth sipper is the perfect way ring in summer.

Pour yourself a pitcher, grab a straw, and toast summer in sassy spritzer style.

Notes, Tips & Tricks for the best Strawberry Basil Vodka Cocktail recipe:

1. The amount of sweetener needed will depend on the ripeness of your strawberries and personal preference.  Start with ¼ cup agave as directed in the recipe, then taste and add more sweetener, one tablespoon at a time, until desired sweetness is achieved.
2. You can substitute honey for agave, in equal amounts, if desired.
3. While not required, I highly recommend garnishing your cocktail glasses with a sugar rim.  It enhances the sweetness of the cocktail and also adds a little aesthetic flare.  Just make sure you coat the rim in sugar BEFORE you muddle the basil leaves!
4. If you want a more prominent basil flavor, add a large basil leaf to the blender with the strawberries when making the syrup.
5. The strawberry syrup can be kept in a sealed container, in the refrigerator, for up to 1 week.  I highly recommend you make a triple batch and have the syrup handy all summer long.
6. If alcohol isn’t your thing, you can easily make this cocktail into a mocktail!  Simply omit the vodka and use more 7UP!
7. I used 7UP Regular in the cocktail pictured, but I’ve used 7UP Diet before, and it is delicious as well!  Both varieties can be found at Walmart.

Accomplish ALL your cocktail goals and add this Strawberry Basil Vodka spritzer to your summer libation rotation!

In light of Memorial Day, I will not be posting on Monday, so until next Thursday friends, cheers – to sippin’ on summer with a refreshing summer cocktail… or two!

XOXO

Cheyanne

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How to make a Strawberry Basil Vodka Cocktail at home 👇

5 from 1 vote

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Strawberry Basil Vodka Cocktail

Prep Time

5 mins

Total Time

5 mins

 

This Strawberry Basil Vodka Cocktail is the perfect smooth sip for summer! A refreshing mix of fresh strawberries, herbaceous basil, crisp 7UP and subtle vodka, this libation is ideal for relaxing or entertaining!

Course: Cocktail, Drinks

Cuisine: American

Keyword: basil, lemon, lime, strawberry, Summer, vodka

Servings: 1

Calories: 197 kcal

Author: Cheyanne Holzworth

Ingredients

Per Cocktail:

• 2 ounces Strawberry Syrup (1/4 cup)
• 3 Basil Leaves
• 1 1/2 ounces Vodka
• 1/2 cup 7UP , chilled (or more to taste)

Strawberry Syrup: (yield = about 1 ½ cups)

• ½ Pint Strawberries , hulled and sliced (8 ounces)
• ¼ Cup Agave , or more to taste*
• 1 ounce Lime Juice

Optional Garnishes: Lime Wedges, Sliced Strawberries, Basil Leaves, Sugar for Rim

Instructions

1. Make the strawberry syrup: Combine the strawberries, agave and lime juice in a blender. Blend until smooth.
2. Optional: Strain half, or all, of the syrup through a fine mesh sieve to remove seeds.
3. For each cocktail: In a cocktail glass*, gently muddle basil leaves. Fill the glass with ice. Pour in ¼ cup of the strawberry syrup. Add in the vodka, and top with 7UP. Stir. Repeat if making additional cocktails.
4. Garnish the glasses with strawberries, basil leaves and lime wedges. Enjoy!

Recipe Notes

1. The amount of sweetener needed will depend on the ripeness of your strawberries and personal preference. Start with ¼ cup agave as directed in the recipe, then taste and add more sweetener, one tablespoon at a time, until desired sweetness is achieved.

 

2. You can substitute honey for agave, in equal amounts, if desired.

 

3. While not required, I highly recommend garnishing your cocktail glasses with a sugar rim. It enhances the sweetness of the cocktail and also adds a little aesthetic flare. Just make sure you coat the rim in sugar BEFORE you muddle the basil leaves!

 

4. If you want a more prominent basil flavor, add a large basil leaf to the blender with the strawberries when making the syrup.

 

5. The strawberry syrup can be kept in a sealed container, in the refrigerator, for up to 1 week. I highly recommend you make a triple batch and have the syrup handy all summer long.

 

6. If alcohol isn’t your thing, you can easily make this cocktail into a mocktail! Simply omit the vodka and use more 7UP!

 

7. I used 7UP Regular in the cocktail pictured, but I’ve used 7UP Diet before, and it is delicious as well! Both varieties can be found at Walmart.

Nutrition Facts

Strawberry Basil Vodka Cocktail

Amount Per Serving

Calories 197

% Daily Value*

Sodium 13mg1%

Potassium 72mg2%

Carbohydrates 24g8%

Sugar 21g23%

Vitamin A 65IU1%

Vitamin C 29.5mg36%

Iron 0.2mg1%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.