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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OUR LATEST VIDEOSHi-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:
- 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.
- You can substitute honey for agave, in equal amounts, if desired.
- 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!
- If you want a more prominent basil flavor, add a large basil leaf to the blender with the strawberries when making the syrup.
- 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.
- If alcohol isn’t your thing, you can easily make this cocktail into a mocktail! Simply omit the vodka and use more 7UP!
- 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 👇
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!
- 2 ounces Strawberry Syrup (1/4 cup)
- 3 Basil Leaves
- 1 1/2 ounces Vodka
- 1/2 cup 7UP , chilled (or more to taste)
- ½ Pint Strawberries , hulled and sliced (8 ounces)
- ¼ Cup Agave , or more to taste*
- 1 ounce Lime Juice
- Make the strawberry syrup: Combine the strawberries, agave and lime juice in a blender. Blend until smooth.
- Optional: Strain half, or all, of the syrup through a fine mesh sieve to remove seeds.
- 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.
- Garnish the glasses with strawberries, basil leaves and lime wedges. Enjoy!
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.
Oh I could down a fair few of these in one sitting. Basil and strawberry is such a good combination and perfect for summer! Although I can’t help feeling like you’re teasing me because I am heading into winter 🙂 Pinning for when the warmer weather hits. Thanks for sharing x
I knew you had something going on so since we are friends on Facebook, I just had to go track down the big secret… SO exciting! Can’t wait to hear more when you are ready to share 🙂
As for now, I’ll be making this ALL weekend long! It looks so killer refreshing! I have a huge stash of strawberries in my fridge currently and my little basil garden plant has decided to stick around so I am seriously ready for this – and of course, ready to sip on all the yummy cocktails all weekend long! Pinned!
Cheers my friend and have a fabulous holiday weekend! XO
Can’t wait to hear more about your secret Chey! So exciting! And you know me, I’ll definitely be adding this little libation to my summer rotation. I love the strawberry basil combo. So refreshing. I can’t wait to use local strawberries too in a few short weeks! Happy Memorial Day! Cheers!
I know why you’re so excited 😉 Cocktail goals? That’s too funny! This looks refreshing as heck, Cheyanne! We had our long weekend just last weekend and, guess what? We had a peck of snow! Crazy, huh? No matter, we still have the bbq. I guess we’ll just have to dress warm when outside grilling, lol. Enjoy your long weekend, girl! xo
Summer barbecues, relaxing, and hopefully a few weekend getaways are definitely in my plans for the summer! And I’m SO excited for your big plan! I can’t wait to see final pictures! And yay for ALL the cocktails! You seriously make the most gorgeous ones, Cheyanne! I’m loving the dreamy color of this one. And the strawberry and basil combo sounds just perfect! This is definitely what I want to sip on ALL summer long, and starting today. Pinned, of course! Hope your weekend is off to a great start!
This cocktail looks delicious. I love the strawberry syrup and basil! Who knew basil could be used in a drink? I must try! Hope you holiday weekend is full of fun and sun….and a few of these cocktails! 🙂
I do know your dirty little secret and am so excited for you! I’m also excited that you are planning a beach vacation because I know how much you love the beach! We have one planned for July and I can’t wait. I think we should mix up some of these strawberry basil cocktails to celebrate all things wonderful! XOXO
Summer, beach, and cocktails are the best friends. No wonder you are so thrilled about your cocktail goals. This strawberry basil vodka cocktail looks so pretty and refreshingly delish, Cheyanne. Can’t wait to see your pictures.
YUM! Strawberry basil is a favorite of mine…then again, anything with basil is a favorite of mine! I love that I saw your Insta Story! Woohoooo! Will keep fingers crossed that everything goes as planned! We have a pretty low key summer planned…time in Placid, of course, and a couple trips planned to Boston. Looking forward to the sunshine coming out and staying out!! Have a great weekend, milady! XO
So I don’t drink a lot, but when I do, I like it to be a special drink. THIS drink, my friend, is SO DANG SPECIAL. Strawberry and basil are delish together! And you have me waiting on the edge of my seat to hear more about your big news! I love big news!!! So far as summer plans go, I’m off to Portland, Maine this weekend for MDW and Washington D.C. the weekend after that. I think I’ll go the beach a few times since it’s oh, 20 minutes from where I work. 🙂 hooray for summer & cheers, lady!
Hmmmm. Big plans? Secrets. I’m intrigued. Last time when you had this kind of BIG PLANS, you guys ended up having a house in a different place. Well, probably changing the place would be beneficial cause for those 2 years you’ve been sending the food to Canada, I haven’t received any parcel:) But if you ain’t moving, well please continue shipping food to me. I haven’t lost my hope yet. And what a delicious refreshing cocktail! Strawberry and basil make the perfect combo.
I’ve been gone and I miss you. I had to get that out of the way first. Now let’s get to this delicious looking cocktail. Yes Yes and Yes. This drink is perfect for summer and perfect for Memorial Day weekend, wait… did you plan that?? Of course, you did. I can never resist a sugared rim 🙂
I’ve had zero plans for summer until now. My new plans include drinking, oh, maybe 12 dozen of these gorgeous cocktails. I mean, strawberries and basil? It’s summer in a glass! This looks sooooo unbelievably delicious. (I feel like a broken record but ALL of your posts look unbelievably delicious!) Have a marvelous long weekend, girl!
You have some really beautiful cocktail creations here, Cheyanne. I love the comb of strawberry and basil..refreshing!
Loving this perfectly seasonal cocktail. Tasty and beautiful! Have a wonderful long weekend. Cheers 🙂
Four days?? How could that be?? GURL, felt like it was just yesterday that you were announcing your favorite season had arrived: Spring. And goodness, I feel like spring never even happened. It’s been nonstop snowing, then raining for months! Hopefully the unofficial start of summer means better weather? 🙂 And, obviously, another one of your amazing cocktails is TOTALLY gonna make everything better. 🙂 Thinking all the good thoughts for your plans and totally hoping you have plans for at least 10 beach vacays (with at least 4 strawberry basil vodka cocktails in hand). 😉 2 for me, 2 for you! xoxo
I love basil in my cocktails and love that you paired them with strawberries. These look perfect to bring over to a BBQ tomorrow in a nice big pitcher!!! Done and done 🙂
I’m looking forward to the big secret, Cheyanne – don’t know what it is but I hope it brings you much joy! This summer is crazy busy at work – multiple projects going on – so will be trying to enjoy the summer when I can. I think I will need about 50 of these cocktails to get through it all. Gorgeous pictures – cheers!
You’re so right — spring was but a mere blip on the radar because winter lasted so long! Allergy season was shorter because of the rain and for that I’m so thankful. 🙂 . This cocktail is something I’d enjoy all summer long — it looks so refreshing and I’m loving that color!
This combination looks really good!
I SWEAR I already posted on this. Do you ever do that!? Anyway. This is fantastic. I actually have a little cup full of fresh basil leaves on my counter that are just begging to be thrown into this. Oh, and 7UP in the fridge. Meant to be. Hope you had a great long weekend!
You make me curious! I love secrets or better said finding out what the secrets are. What a beautiful looking drink, a perfect start in the summer!
Hot dayamn – Cheyanne – this drink is GORGEOUS!!!! Wow! And – it’s not just a stunner to look at – with that combo of strawberry and basil and 7UP – it’s gotta be one tasty boozy treat!
By the way – I think I know your secret – but am not sure if it’s what am thinking – if it happens to be…I cannot wait to hear more – and btw I happene to LOVE this ” the saying, ‘when you make plans, God laughs’? ” And you bet – he’s laughed at me quite a few times so now I just follow where he leads! 🙂 even when that means a trip across the pond this year… I’ll wait to go into details as like you know ‘when you make plans, God laughs’
Happy Wednesday to ya xoxo
oh wow that looks so refreshing! I want!!
you nailed it as always. mojitos have a bad history with me, but you run a strong temptation game!
oops, meant to write vodka!
Yummm the combo of strawberries and basil sounds so delicious right now. I love combining herbs and fruit! Peaches and basil is a yummy combo too . I hope you had a great memorial weekend!
This drink looks so amazing and that color! I have a thing for colorful food and drink lately! This looks so refreshing and the perfect weekend companion! Bottoms up! BTW – love the new look of the blog, the header design and font look great! The tag line sums your site up perfectly! Take care.
Basil and Strawberries are in season right now in my neck of the woods, so this sounds like a perfect drink today. Also, good thing vodka is always in season
SO true!!! Thank you so much for the kind comment and stopping by!
I know it seems like the holiday weekend just ended, but I could reeeeally use one of these right about now! Looks SO good!