Strawberry Basil Vodka Cocktail

5 from 11 votes

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

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Prep Time5 mins

Total Time5 mins

Course: Cocktail, Drinks

Cuisine: American

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

Servings: cocktail

Calories: 150kcal

Author: Cheyanne Holzworth

Equipment

Blender
Fine-mesh Sieve (optional)
Cocktail Shaker
Cocktail Glass

Ingredients

Strawberry Syrup: (yield = about ½ cup or enough for 2 cocktails)

½ Pint Strawberries - hulled and sliced (about 6 large or 12 medium berries)
2-4 TBS Agave or Honey - or more to taste (SEE NOTES)
1 ounce Fresh Lime Juice

Per Cocktail:

3 Basil Leaves
2 ounces Strawberry Syrup (1/4 cup) (SEE ABOVE)
2 ounces Vodka - or more or less to taste
2 ounces Lemon-Lime Soda or Club Soda - chilled, or more to taste

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

Instructions

Make the strawberry syrup: Combine the strawberries, agave and lime juice in a blender. Blend until smooth. Optional: Strain the syrup through a fine mesh sieve to remove seeds.
Muddle the basil: In a cocktail glass, gently muddle basil leaves. Fill the glass with ice.
Prepare the cocktail (SEE NOTES): In a cocktail shaker, pour in ¼ cup of the strawberry syrup. Add in the vodka. Fill the shaker half of way to the top with ice. Shake for about 10 seconds, or until the shaker begins to frost and is cool to the touch.
Add soda & pour cocktail: Add the soda to the shaker. Strain the cocktail into the prepared cocktail glass.
Serve: Garnish the glasses with strawberries, more basil leaves and lime wedges if desired. Enjoy!

Notes

Strawberry Syrup: The strawberry syrup will yield enough for TWO cocktails. The recipe can easily be doubled, tripled, etc. The syrup can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.
- Basil: If you want a more prominent basil flavor, add a large basil leaf to the blender with the strawberries when making the syrup.
- Sweetener: The amount of sweetener needed will depend on the ripeness of your strawberries and personal preference. Taste your strawberries, if they are sweet, start with only 2 tablespoons of agave. If your strawberries are bland, start with 3-4 tablespoons. Blend the syrup and then taste it. If the syrup is not sweet enough, add more agave (or honey), one tablespoon at a time, until desired sweetness is achieved. Remember, you can always add more sweetener, but you can't take it out once it is added!
Garnish: While not required, I highly recommend garnishing your cocktail glasses with a sugar rim! It enhances the sweetness of the cocktail! Just make sure you coat the rim in sugar BEFORE you muddle the basil leaves!
- To rim cocktail with a sugar, wet the rim with lime juice. Dip or roll the rim in sparkling or coarse sugar. Allow the rim to dry.
Mocktail: Use extra strawberry syrup and lemon-lime soda to replace the vodka!
Soda: I use regular sprite or 7 up in my cocktails. However you can use any lemon-lime flavored soda you love! Both diet and regular sodas work well!

Nutritional information is an approximation based upon 1 cocktail. Exact information will depend upon the brands of ingredients and precise measurements used.

Nutrition