Strawberry Basil Crush

Every time I mix up a cocktail, I challenge myself to make an equally delicious non-alcoholic version. Some days, it’s just nice to enjoy a tasty beverage sans booze, and this also means my kids can be “part of the party”. This Strawberry Basil Crush provides a tasty cocktail, or mocktail option, and is a perfect summertime drink!

Summer-fresh flavors.

With all the garden-fresh ingredients, this Strawberry Basil Crush is a love letter to summer. The sweetness of ripe strawberries and the bright, herbaceous flavor of basil come together in a perfect union in this beautiful beverage. It is so easy to make; you just muddle all the ingredients together, shake them up with ice, and top with tonic water.

Booze options for this cocktail.

I love how easily the ingredients in this recipe pair with a number of spirits. My favorite types of alcohol to use in this cocktail recipe are:

• Vodka– This is the liquor I use most often when making this recipe. A good quality vodka provides a nice smooth taste that doesn’t overpower the delicate produce.
• Rum– This is another solid option for this recipe. Rum is made from distilling sugarcane and has an almost sweet taste to it; which works really well with sweet strawberries, and basil.
• Bourbon– I am quite a big fan of bourbon. It has a distinct and unmistakable flavor that harmonizes with the strawberries and basil, but will make it’s presence known.

Making a healthy mocktail option.

With just 2 slight modifications, this cocktail can become not only a delicious, but also a healthy mocktail. By using coconut water instead of booze, and plain sparkling water instead of tonic, this beverage transforms into a super hydrating, and low-calorie way to beat that summer heat!

Print Recipe

Strawberry Basil Crush

(4 votes, average: 4.50 out of 5)

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Drinks – Cocktails

By Amy – Serves: 1

Prep Time: 5 minutes – Cooking Time: 0 minutes – Total Time: 5 minutes

A light and refreshing mocktail or cocktail.

Ingredients

• 2 oz. coconut water or alcohol of your choice*
• 3-5 strawberries, roughly chopped
• 2 basil leaves
• Tonic or plain sparkling water
• Sugar for rim
• Extra basil leaves and strawberry slices for garnish

Instructions

1

Place sugar on a small plate. Take a slice of strawberry and rub around the rim of a glass, and then press rim into the sugar to coat.

2

Combine strawberries, basil, and coconut water or vodka in a cocktail shaker. Muddle ingredients together until well combined. (If you prefer sweeter drinks, you can add some sugar into the cocktail shaker prior to muddling).

3

Add ice to cocktail shaker and shake really well.

4

Fill glass with ice and a few slices of strawberries and basil leaves to garnish.

5

Pour mixture through the strainer into the rimmed glass. Top with tonic or sparkling water.

Notes

* I recommend using vodka, rum, or bourbon in this cocktail.