With Memorial Day just around the corner, we’re rolling up our sleeves with a completed outdoor space and grill to celebrate. There’s something about the classic days of summer and to keep your grill classic and inspired, I’ve collaborated with 50 other recipe bloggers from around the country to give you the best virtual cookout we can think of. When I think of summer in the South, I think of light nights, walks around the pond, and refreshing pitchers of lemonade, to bring a bit of relief to the thick humidity. This adult version, adds the crisp bite of gin and a kick of basil.
Keep reading for the full recipe and paired music for this drink!
Basil Gin Lemonade
Serves: One cocktail
Ingredients:
- Juice of 2 lemons
- 1/2 C sugar
- 1 C water
- 4 sprigs of fresh basil
- 3 oz gin
- sparkling water
- rounds of lemon and basil for garnish
- 4-5 large ice cubes
Directions:
Using a juicer, juice lemons. Pour into a highball glass and set to the side. In a small saucepan, combine water and sugar. Over high heat, let sugar dissolve and stir. Once sugar is dissolved, add sprigs of basil and let steep for 10 minutes. Once cool, add 2 T to cocktail. Stir in lemon juice. Add ice. Using jigger, measure out gin. (If you want to make it extra cold, add everything from the glass to a cocktail shaker and shake vigorously for 1 minute.) Fill the rest of the glass with sparkling water. Garnish with a sprig of fresh basil and a few rounds of fresh lemon. Add a straw and enjoy!
Cheers to a long and wonderful summer!
Appetizers
Korean BBQ Tofu Sliders with Kimchi Slaw by Hello Little Home
Corn, Black Bean, and Feta Dip by Lizzy is Dizzy
Crab, Bacon & Guacamole Crostinis by That Square Plate
Cocktails and Drinks
Blackberry Gin Slush by The Speckled Palate
Homemade Lemonade by Winstead Wandering
Blood Orange Mocktail by Body Rebooted
Fleur Collins Cocktail by Hungry Girl por Vida
Fourth of July Sparkler by Mixplorology
Black Stripe Cold Rum Cocktail by Honey and Birch
Fresh Watermelon Mojito by Twin Stripe
Mint Hibiscus Lemonade by The Little Epicurean
Wine Slushy by Living Well Kitchen
Basil Gin Lemonade by Glisten and Grace
Entrées
Salt Plate Shrimp by The Mexitalian
Jamaican Jerk Chicken Burgers by Simple and Savory
Roasted Vegetable Grilled Pizza with Garlic Herb Oil by Ciao Chow Bambina
Memphis Style Pulled Pork by Two Places at Once
Balsamic & Honey Chicken Skewers with Strawberry-Kiwi Salsa by No Spoon Necessary
Amazing Basic Spice Rub for Grilling by An Oregon Cottage
Mediterranean Chicken Kebabs by PasadenaDaisy
Smoked Porchetta Pork Loin by Tasty Ever After
Pressure Cooker Pulled Pork by Appeasing a Food Geek
Peach Barbecue Sauce by The Beach House Kitchen
Tuna Stuffed Sweet Peppers by SugarLoveSpices
Herb Marinated Steak Gyros Plates with Tomato-Onion Salad and Green Tahini Sauce by Feed Me Phoebe
Marinated Skirt Steak with Sweet Corn and Cherry Salad by Domesticate ME!
Sweet & Sour Chicken Kebabs by Tastefully Frugal
Side Dishes
Caprese Pasta Salad by Club Narwhal
Cranberry Almond Broccoli Salad by Two Sisters Kitchens
Coconut Milk Mac & Cheese by A Little Gathering
Cherry Quinoa Salad by Food Lovin Family
Cheddar, Corn and Bacon Potato Salad by Family Food on the Table
Lemon Rocket Pasta Salad by Lauren Caris Cooks
Green Goddess Potato Salad by Love & Flour
Red White & Blue Watergate Salad by A Joyfully Mad Kitchen
Zesty Potato Skewers by Pamela Salzman
Quinoa Tabouli by A Fork’s Tale
Desserts
Banana Pudding Ice Cream Cake by Feast + West
Strawberry Beer Floats by bethcakes
Cherry Cheesecake Dessert by The Little Blonde Baker
Light Berry Angel Food Cake by The Creative Bite
Lemon Cream Tarts with Berries by Girl Heart Food
Fresh Strawberry Muffins by Spiced
Lemon Pie Sundae by Flavours & Frosting
Strawberry Lemon Shortcakes by Dash of Herbs
Grasshopper Pie by 2 Cookin’ Mamas
Berry Mango Smoothie Pops by HÄLSA Nutrition
Mixed Berry Vanilla Bean Cake by Cake ‘n Knife
No Churn Cookies and Cream Strawberry Ice Cream by The Secret Ingredient Is
Coconut Blueberry & Vodka Ice Pops by Nik Snacks
Strawberry Key Lime Margarita Greek Yogurt Ice Pops by Beer Girl Cooks
Cherry & Rhubarb Tart by Crepes of Wrath
Goodness! This Basil Gin Lemonade is like the classic lemonade of our childhoods on steroids… and I cannot wait to give it a try because it sounds SO refreshing and crisp and perfect for a hot day.
Thanks so much for participating in the Great Blogger BBQ with us today! This has been SO much fun!
Thank you so much Erin! It has been so fun today. I’m excited to grill out this weekend and give a few new recipes a try. Hope you have an amazing holiday weekend celebrating with friends.