italian strawberry basil margarita
Raise a glass to the close of summer as marketing knows it.
I had to squeeze in one more quick Summer Saturday cocktail for you guys, before we swap to more bourbon-heavy, cozier sips for the rest of the year. I mean, the dew point was SEVENTY TWO this morning – yahoo for Florida cold fronts!
So, we’re fishing out this Italian Strawberry Basil Margarita to enjoy for many of ya’lls final warm days before the weather *hopefully* chills out. A quick and simple drink featuring nutty amaretto alongside the classic margarita fare of tequila and lime, and we flavor this baby with muddled basil and a touch of strawberry jam.
5 minutes to make, probably about the same amount of time to enjoy. Particularly because your ice will melt in about that time if you’re sitting outside.
Some Buongiorno For Your Hola
I quite enjoy the texture jams add to cocktails, plus it’s a bit of a flavorful shortcut and provides both the flavor and sweetness drinks need. I always recommend you buy a good-quality preserve for any sort of recipe I share that uses jam, like Bonne Maman.
Once you have your ducks in a row, eggs in a basket, whatever, get your ass started. I like to rim my glass in lime sugar, which is just lime zest and sugar (NO SHIT?!) tossed together. Run a lime wedge around your choice glass, then dip and dunk into the sugar to coat.
Then, muddle some fresh basil with strawberry preserves and lime juice, and throw in the tequila and amaretto. You can also add a bit of agave if you need it, but I found the drink sweet enough with the berries and the liqueur.
Shake it all up with some ice until cold. Strain (or don’t, up to you!) the drink into your rimmed glass and pour on a splash of sparkling water for a bit of fizzy whizpop.
Finish off your drink with some fresh strawberry slices and lime wedges, and you’re good as gold.
Don’t like or have strawberries? This works just as well with any type of berry you prefer. You can also choose fresh muddled fruit instead of the preserves, but the taste won’t be quite as strong.
If you’re one of those dragon types that loves this summer swelter, enjoy! If you don’t, but do enjoy summer drinks, enjoy! Whoever you are or wherever you’re from, just ENJOY, damn it!
Tried this recipe out? Leave a rating and comment below with your thoughts, and don’t forget to come say hi on Instagram and show me what you made!
Strawberry summer:
Fresh Strawberry Green Tea Lemonade
italian strawberry basil margarita
Ingredients
- 3 tbsp sugar
- 2 tsp lime zest
- 6 fresh basil leaves
- 2 tbsp strawberry jam
- 2 oz tequila
- 1 oz amaretto
- 1/2 oz lime juice
- 1-2 tsp agave (to taste, optional)
- sparkling water, to top
Instructions
- On a shallow plate, toss the sugar with the lime zest. Run a lime wedge around the rim of a cocktail glass, then dip and swirl into the lime sugar. Shake out excess.
- In the bottom of a shaker, muddle the basil leaves, strawberry jam, and lime juice. Add the tequila, amaretto, and agave (if using). Fill with ice and sake until cold. Strain or simply pour into a cocktail glass and add extra ice as needed. Top with a splash of sparkling water.
