This rhubarb basil smash is the perfect summer cocktail. Delicious homemade rhubarb syrup combined with fresh basil, vodka, and bitters. You’ll love this drink!
Summer is here! If you have been following my blog for awhile you know that every winter I do a little event called The Boozy Days of Christmas. It’s basically two weeks straight of warm winter drinks that will keep your belly warm and ready to take on all the crazy holiday festivities.
This summer I decided it take this event and bring it into the warm weather. With all the all freshness of summer, it was dying to be done. Plus I was getting a little tired of doing tons of mulled wine, cider, and eggnog cocktails.
So, for the next two weeks, I will be sharing nothing but summer drinks. It will include lots of drinks made with fresh fruit, herbs, and nothing but quality spirits, bitters, tonics, and syrups. I will also be having TONS of fun giveaways. If you enjoy making cocktails will want to come back every day to see what recipe is being served up and if there is a fun giveaway to go along with the post.
For this first drink, I took homemade rhubarb syrup, vodka, lemon, basil, and bitters and created the most delicious summertime drink. It’s slightly sweet and has a light basil flavor. Who knew basil and rhubarb were such good friends? This drink would also be perfect with gin if you are a fan.
I was lucky enough to get to experiment with Fee Brothers bitters and Adirondack Distilling Vodka. While I had never really played around with bitters I was amazed to find the depth of flavor it brings to a cocktail. Plus they come in tons of flavors that work with just about any cocktail you can dream up.
Also, I’m a sucker for local distilleries. I was lucky enough to talk to one of the owners of Adirondack Distilling Company and they sent me a bottle of their fantastic vodka. The thing I love the most about this vodka is that it’s made from New York state corn and distilled in an environmentally friendly process. If you are going to make it a point to eat locally you should also make it a point to drink locally! Who’s with me!
Rhubarb Basil Smash
Ingredients
For cocktail:
- 6 basil leaves
- 1 ounce fresh squeezed lemon juice
- 1 ounce rhubarb syrup
- 1-1/2 ounce vodka
- 3 dashes Fee Brothers rhubarb bitters
For rhubarb syrup:
- 4 cups chopped rhubarb
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 cup water
Instructions
For cocktail:
- In a cocktail shaker add basil leaves, lemon juice, and rhubarb syrup.
- Gently muddle to bruise basil. You do not want to rip the basil apart in the shaker. Just gently release the basil flavor.
- Add in ice and vodka.
- Add shaker lid and shake until cold.
- Pour into a short cocktail glass and add more ice if needed.
- Add rhubarb bitters and give a quick stir.
For rhubarb syrup:
- Add all ingredients to a pot and bring to a boil.
- Lower to a simmer and cook till thick, about 20 minutes.
- Pour through a fine strainer, gently pushing the fruit to extract all the juice. I like to press a little firmer on my fruit so my syrup is more cloudy because more solids make it into my syrup. If you want a clearer syrup make sure to not press any of the solids through the strainer. Store refrigerated in a jar.
Lisa B
Sunday 23rd of June 2013
Pretty food pics would look great in an iPad!
Kathy
Sunday 23rd of June 2013
I would use the ipad for school for my children and for organizing my schedules.
Jo Ann Buller
Sunday 23rd of June 2013
i love to follow your blog. i love the recipes and things you post.
Vanessa
Sunday 23rd of June 2013
I will read my favorite food blog- Nutmeg Nanny!!!
Calees
Sunday 23rd of June 2013
I think I would surf the net and play games on an iPad when I have free time, but I'd love to use it as a calendar. I have issues with using calendars on my phone and don't do so well keeping track of events planned a long ways out. It would help me keep more on top of what's supposed to happen and I feel like I would be better organized than I am now, although I'm really striving to get better this summer.