Tag: basil

vodka

Black Lemon and Basil Cocktail| A Sublime Cocktail with Lemon Basil & Black Lemon

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This Black Lemon and Basil Cocktail is an exotic drink with a clean taste; it's made with fresh lemon basil, black lemon sparkling tea, lemon juice, and simple syrup. This lemon basil & black lemon cocktail is perfect for lemon lovers who want to venture beyond the Lemon Drop.
This Black Lemon and Basil Cocktail is an exotic drink with a clean taste; it’s made with fresh lemon basil, black lemon sparkling tea, lemon juice, and simple syrup. This lemon basil & black lemon cocktail is perfect for lemon lovers who want to venture beyond the Lemon Drop.

I never win anything. Giveaways, cherry pies in cakewalks, knock-off plushies in claw machines, money from lottery tickets, free sandwiches. Nada. Statistically speaking, I’m sure most people in the world would say “me either.”

Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliate links. If you buy a product via my affiliate link, I will receive a commission. This is at no additional cost to you. I only recommend products I actually like! 

I don’t feel like a “lucky” person. I guess I don’t fully *believe* in Luck (maybe It knows). But when I think about my old coworker who’s won TWO cars and tens of thousands of dollars from gambling, I’ve gotta chalk it up to something. I guess it is luck and I just don’t have much of it.

But that changed a few weeks ago. I WON A GIVEAWAY. An Instagram giveaway, at that. I must’ve quadruple-checked the message when I saw it. And before you get all excited and start trying to figure out where I live, I didn’t win anything crazy.

I won a sampler of Sparkling Botanicals sparkling teas. A 12-pack y’all 🙌 I had seen these gorgeous cans sporadically in my Instagram feed and oohed and ahhed at all the flavors. Ooh and ahh is all I did though because these babies are pri-cey. I hopelessly entered the giveaway, as I often do, and went about my life until the fateful DM that ushered in my stroke of luck.

This Black Lemon and Basil Cocktail is an exotic drink with a clean taste; it's made with fresh lemon basil, black lemon sparkling tea, lemon juice, and simple syrup. This lemon basil & black lemon cocktail is perfect for lemon lovers who want to venture beyond the Lemon Drop.

A couple days later a friend texted me. “I went to the farmers’ market today and got some lemon basil. The guy gave me a one-pound bag– I’ll never be able to eat it by myself. Can I bring you some tomorrow?” Seriously. Get you some friends that support your cocktail creating habits. As soon as I saw the words “lemon basil”, I knew I wanted to use it in combination with the black lemon flavor of Sparkling Botanicals.

Just in case you’re wondering if you read that right, yes- it does say black lemon. I’d never heard of it before but I was intrigued. Turns out, black lemons are actually limes (usually) that have been dried. They’re soaked in a brine solution before being left to dry out in the sun. Black lemon is a common ingredient in Iranian cooking and has a distinguishable taste. If you’re intrigued, too, you can buy a bag of them on Amazon. Supposedly they’re a sublime addition to stews and soups.

This Black Lemon and Basil Cocktail is an exotic drink with a clean taste; it's made with fresh lemon basil, black lemon sparkling tea, lemon juice, and simple syrup. This lemon basil & black lemon cocktail is perfect for lemon lovers who want to venture beyond the Lemon Drop.

If you can’t purchase Sparkling Botanicals’ black lemon flavor, you can use lemon sparkling water instead. Instead of calling it a Black Lemon and Basil, you can just dub it a Lemon and Basil. It won’t taste the same but it’ll still be good, especially if you’re able to get your hands on some lemon basil.

Lemon basil tastes exactly what it sounds like and it smells straight-up divine. This was my first time ever having it & that’s a crying shame. I put some of these cuttings in a bottle of water to propagate and they’re just about ready to transplant into a pot. Then I can have an endless supply of lemon basil at home. Well, if I keep it alive. If you need some tips on how to grow your own basil at home, check out this great article written by Okra In My Garden.

This Black Lemon and Basil Cocktail is an exotic drink with a clean taste; it's made with fresh lemon basil, black lemon sparkling tea, lemon juice, and simple syrup. This lemon basil & black lemon cocktail is perfect for lemon lovers who want to venture beyond the Lemon Drop.

If you’re looking for other exotic drinks, check out my Golden Pothos cocktail that also calls for cardamom simple syrup and turmeric, and my Rub of the Green that utilizes matcha simple syrup and cardamom bitters.

Have you ever had a black lemon cocktail or used lemon basil in a cocktail? Let me know in a comment below!

Ingredients for a Black Lemon and Basil Cocktail

  • 1 1/2 oz vodka, or gin
  • 1/2 oz fresh lemon juice
  • 4-6 lemon basil leaves
  • 1/2 oz cardamom simple syrup
  • 3+ oz black lemon sparkling water

How to Make a Black Lemon and Basil Cocktail

Add the liquor, freshly-squeezed lemon juice, cardamom simple syrup, and lemon basil leaves to a cocktail shaker. Gently muddle the basil, making sure to only bruise the leaves and not obliterate them. Add ice and shake well for about 20 seconds. Strain into a highball or Collins glass that’s been filled with ice. Top off the rest of the glass with the black lemon sparkling water. Garnish with additional lemon basil leaves.

Black Lemon & Basil Cocktail

This cocktail has bright notes of lemon warmed up by black lemon sparkling water and cardamom syrup. It's refreshing with a subtle complexity that'll make you want to take sip after sip.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 3 mins
Course Drinks
Servings 1

Equipment

  • cocktail shaker

Ingredients
  

  • 1½-2 oz vodka, or gin
  • ½ oz lemon juice, freshly squeezed
  • 4-6 leaves lemon basil
  • ½ oz cardamom simple syrup*
  • 3+ oz black lemon sparkling water

Instructions
 

  • Add the liquor, freshly-squeezed lemon juice, simple syrup, and lemon basil leaves to a cocktail shaker.
  • Gently muddle the basil, making sure to only bruise, not obliterate them.
  • Add ice and shake well for about 20 seconds.
  • Strain into a highball or Collins glass that's been filled with ice.
  • Top off the rest of the glass with the black lemon sparkling water.
  • Garnish with additional lemon basil leaves and a lemon wheel.

Notes

*You can find the easy recipe for cardamom simple syrup here.
Keyword beet simple syrup, black lemon, gin, lemon basil, sparkling water, vodka
This cocktail has bright notes of lemon warmed up by black lemon sparkling water and cardamom syrup. It's refreshing with a subtle complexity that'll make you want to take sip after sip.
gin

Cucumber Basil Refresher | A Magical Gin Cocktail with Fresh Cucumber Juice

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This Cucumber Basil Refresher combines fresh cucumber juice, basil, & club soda for a perfectly refreshing cocktail. Make it with gin or vodka and sweeten it up a touch with a splash of simple syrup.

When I set out to make a drink last night, this Cucumber Basil Refresher is not what I had in mind. It’s hot here in Texas so I was craving something refreshing. I originally wanted to make a cucumber margarita but when I realized I didn’t have any limes, I switched gears. I got on Instagram and started scrolling through my feed until I saw something that caught my eye. I saw this recipe by City Gal Cocktails and I got so excited because the main ingredient was pineapple juice! I definitely have that from making my Easy Colada. Sweet.

Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliate links. If you buy a product via my affiliate link, I will receive a commission. This is at no additional cost to you. I only recommend products I actually like! 

Buuuut then I saw that I needed lime juice for that recipe, too. Shoot. It’s okay. I’ll just make a classic Tom Collins. Those are always refreshing. Only…. NO LEMONS EITHER! What’s going on?! I had no limes and no lemons to speak of– can I even call myself a home mixologist? Of course there are plenty of cocktails that don’t call for citrus juice, but all the bright & refreshing ones do. I hung my head a bit as I opened the fridge for one last futile scan of its contents.

Cucumber. I have half of a cucumber! Yes yes, I can work with this. Usually, I muddle cucumber slices to impart their flavor in a drink, but since I was going to need liquid besides liquor, I pulled my juicer out of the pantry.

This is the exact juicer I have and I really, really like it. It’s easy to clean and has never clogged on me. Two musts when it comes to investing in a good juicer. It was actually a birthday gift from my longest-time bff (hi Han, ilu!) and she bought it so that I could incorporate fresh juices into my cocktails. Y’all. Get you friends who support you in your crazy endeavors like starting cocktail blogs.

You don’t need a juicer to make this recipe, though. If you’ve got a blender, that will work! Pour the gin (or vodka, tequila, or water if you want a mocktail) in the blender and add the cucumber & blend until you make a puree. Cucumbers have a high water content so it shouldn’t seize up on you. However, if you’re using a blender instead of a juicer, only use about 1/3 of the cucumber if you’re wanting only one Cucumber Basil Refresher. When I used my juicer, I went ahead and juiced the half cucumber that I had and stored the rest in a mason jar to give my daughter as a special treat with breakfast.

Once you’ve made the gin/cucumber puree, you’ll have to strain it using a fine mesh strainer like this one. Push on the pulp to squeeze every last drop out. You should be left with about 2 1/4 ounces.

This Cucumber Basil Refresher combines fresh cucumber juice, basil, & club soda for a perfectly refreshing cocktail. Make it with gin or vodka and sweeten it up a touch with a splash of simple syrup.

When I took my first sip of the cocktail, it was good but it needed to be a little brighter. Ugh, if only I had a dang lemon. I opened my fridge back up and suspiciously eyed the bottle of lemon juice.

I know, I know. I said in this post to ALWAYS use fresh citrus juice. But since I was only wanting a splash, I knew the bottled juice wouldn’t kill the cocktail. I may have had to eat my words as I drank my Cucumber Basil Refresher but you can’t call me dishonest.

This Cucumber Basil Refresher combines fresh cucumber juice, basil, & club soda for a perfectly refreshing cocktail. Make it with gin or vodka and sweeten it up a touch with a splash of simple syrup.

If you have a lemon, use the lemon. But if you need to use bottled lemon juice, I won’t tell if you won’t.

Also, I’ve gotta give my mom a quick shout out because she’s the real hero of this story. After all, she’s the reason I had the cucumber to begin with. She grew it in her garden and it tasted simply divine. But since you probs don’t have homegrown cukes at your disposal, store-bought will work just fine.

Cheers!

Ingredients for a Cucumber Basil Refresher

How to Make a Cucumber Basil Refresher

Add the gin and basil to a cocktail shaker and gently muddle the leaves. Add in the fresh cucumber juice, lemon juice, simple syrup, and ice. Shake well. Strain into a lowball glass filled with ice. Top off the rest of the class with the club soda. You may have to take a few sips to make room.

Cucumber Basil Refresher

A refreshing cocktail with fresh cucumber juice and basil. Use with gin or vodka!
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 7 mins
Course Drinks
Servings 1

Equipment

  • juicer or blender
  • cocktail shaker

Ingredients
  

  • 1 ½ oz gin (or vodka)
  • ¾ oz fresh cucumber juice* (see note about how to make it)
  • ½ oz simple syrup
  • 6 fresh basil leaves
  • â…›-¼ oz lemon juice
  • 1+ oz club soda or sparkling water

Instructions
 

  • Add the gin and basil to a cocktail shaker and gently muddle the leaves.
  • Add in the fresh cucumber juice*, lemon juice, simple syrup, and ice.
  • Shake well.
  • Strain into a lowball glass filled with ice.
  • Top off the rest of the class with the club soda. You may have to take a few sips to make room.

Notes

*You can make fresh cucumber juice using either a juicer or a blender. If you’ve got a blender, here’s what to do:
Pour the 1.5 oz of gin (or vodka) in the blender and add a 1/3 of a cucumber & blend until you make a puree. Cucumbers have a high water content so it shouldn’t seize up on you. If it does, you can add the simple syrup and lemon juice in, too, to help it blend better. Once you’ve made the gin/cucumber puree, you’ll have to strain out the pulp using a fine mesh strainer like this one. Push on the pulp to squeeze every last drop out. 
MOCKTAIL OPTION: Leave out the alcohol and use either extra cucumber juice, lemon juice, or club soda in its place.
Keyword basil, beet simple syrup, cucumber, gin, lemon juice, vodka
vodka

The Novelist’s Garden | A Botanical & Bright Custom Cocktail for Maddie Deer

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The Novelist’s Garden is a custom cocktail I made for Maddie over at MaddieDeer.com. We recently connected on a Facebook group for female bloggers. I announced to the group that one of the services I offer is designing custom cocktails for brands and Maddie was one of the first people to reach out to me. You can check out the post that I made for her here.

Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliate links. If you buy a product via my affiliate link, I will receive a commission. This is at no additional cost to you. I only recommend products I actually like! 

Maddie Deer is a lifestyle blog that covers topics like vegan and plant-based recipes, vintage finds, DIY & crafting, travel, and fitness. She also blogs about the book writing process–she’s written a novel and is now working on her second one, hence the Novelist’s Garden. My favorite posts of hers at the moment are her 6 Superfoods to Add to Smoothies and her spring book list. I’ve recently gotten back into reading for pleasure so I love seeing what other people are reading.

I really love Maddie’s aesthetics. I had a pretty good idea of which direction I wanted to go in terms of her custom cocktail after just browsing her site, but to gain more insight into her and her brand, I sent her my Custom Cocktail Word Board. Maddie then selected several words from different categories that she felt best described her brand.

Some of the words she chose were earthy, steady, and sophisticated. If you’re familiar with her blog, you’ll see those words really align with her vibe. Let me know in a comment if you think The Novelist’s Garden does, too.

This is the cocktail I imagine Maddie sipping on while she works on her novel, surrounded by her plants in beautiful Portland, Oregon. The Novelist’s Garden is whimsical and bright with a touch of effervescence. Maddie loves plants so I wanted to utilize as many fresh herbs as possible. The basil and lavender lend a warm botanical feel without being overpowering. To impart a bit of Maddie’s refined and yet approachable style, I added a drop of orange blossom water. The bubbly citrus sparkling water keeps things light and lively.

It has been a dream to work with Maddie. She’s genuine and down-to-earth. I’m sure you’ll pick up on those vibes real fast when you browse her blog.

Maddie, thank you for trusting me to create a cocktail tailor-made for you and your brand!

The Novelist's Garden is a bright and botanical cocktail that is perfect to enjoy outdoors. The basil, lavender, and orange blossom pair perfectly with citrus to create an earthy, sophisticated drink. | cocktails with lavender | herb cocktail recipes | orange blossom water | cocktails with basil | drinks alcohol recipes | drinks with vodka | garden cocktail party | garden drinks

Ingredients for The Novelist’s Garden

  • 2 oz vodka (gin is also great in this & creates a more botanical feel)
  • 3/4 oz freshly-squeezed lemon juice
  • 3/4 oz lavender simple syrup- here’s my homemade recipe
  • 5-7 fresh basil leaves
  • splash of citrus sparkling water (unsweet)
  • 1 drop of orange blossom water– optional but it adds a floral perfume touch

How to Make The Novelist’s Garden

  1. Add the basil and vodka into a cocktail shaker and muddle the leaves. you don’t need to destroy them–just bruise them well so that they release their oils.
  2. Add a generous amount of ice, the lemon juice, the lavender simple syrup, and the DROP of orange blossom water (literally a drop, the stuff is potent. To do this, I dip a swizzle stick into the bottle and then dip it in the cocktail shaker).
  3. Shake well, 20-30 seconds.
  4. Strain into a coupe glass.
  5. Add a splash of lime sparkling water.
  6. Garnish with an extra sprig of basil.

The Novelist’s Garden

A custom cocktail created for MaddieDeer.com. This cocktail is botanical, whimsical, and bright.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 3 mins
Course Drinks
Servings 1

Ingredients
  

  • 2 oz vodka or gin*
  • ¾ oz freshly-squeezed lemon juice
  • ¾ oz lavender simple syrup (see the note on how to make your own)
  • 5-7 basil leaves
  • splash citrus sparkling water unsweetened
  • 1 drop orange blossom water** (optional)

Instructions
 

  • Add the basil and vodka into a cocktail shaker and muddle the leaves.
  • Add a generous amount of ice, the lemon juice, the lavender simple syrup, and the DROP of orange blossom water*.
  • Shake well, about 20-30 seconds.
  • Strain into a coupe glass.
  • Add a splash of lime sparkling water.
  • Garnish with an extra sprig of basil.

Notes

*Using gin in place of the vodka will create an even more botanical feel.
**To do this, I dip a swizzle stick into the bottle and then dip it into the cocktail shaker.
To make your own lavender simple syrup, check out my recipe here.
Keyword basil, lavender, Novelist’s Garden, orange blossom water, sparkling water, vodka

If you enjoy using herbs in your cocktails check out these other recipes:

Desert Elixir

vodka + mint + lime + sparkling coconut water

earthy & not very sweet

South Side

gin + mint + lemon + simple syrup

Campari To-Kill-Ya

tequila + Campari + mint + orange + lime + soda

tequila

Spicy Basil Margarita | A Simple & Spicy Cocktail with Kashmiri Chili Powder

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Spicy Basil Margarita with Kashmiri Chili Powder is the best drink for summer. It's bright, refreshing, with a little kick to it. If you've never had a spicy cocktail before, give it a try.

This Spicy Basil Margarita is easy to make and perfect for summer. It’s finally warming up in central Texas (after an unseasonably cool spring) and that means Margarita season is beginning. Actually, I think it’s always Margarita season in the south. But whether you still have snow on the ground, like my friend Laura at We Galavant The Globe, or whether you’ve been sweating for weeks now, this Spicy Basil Margarita is sure to hit the spot.

Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliate links. If you buy a product via my affiliate link, I will receive a commission. This is at no additional cost to you. I only recommend products I actually like! 

This is going to sound very un-Texan of me, but I have to be in the right mood for a Margarita. I’m always down for one at a Mexican restaurant or when lounging at a pool. But casually sipping on one in the living room? Never really had that craving. Until I was thinking about a way to utilize my new Kashmiri chili powder that my friend brought me back from South Africa. How could I utilize this exotic spice? Then I realized I have yet to post a Margarita recipe on Girl & Tonic so I knew I had to make a spicy Margarita recipe for sure.

Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliate links. If you buy a product/service or sign up via my affiliate link, I would receive a commission. This is at no additional cost to you. I only recommend products I love and believe in.

If you don’t have Kashmiri chili powder, you can use tajin (yo, Texans- I know you have access to this) or regular chili powder. Kashmiri powder is used more commonly for its color than its heat, but it does have some heat to it and a really beautiful flavor. Its spiciness falls between mild paprika and fiery cayenne. I used 2 pinches in my Spicy Basil Margarita and then dusted some on top. You can also rim your glass with it. I opted for a swatch because it looks artsy. I got the Kashmiri chili powder to stay exactly where I wanted it by using agave syrup and then sprinkling dumping the chili powder over it.

Now, maybe the thought of a spicy cocktail is a new concept to you or maybe you’re already a fan. If you’re the former, I challenge you to try this Spicy Basil Margarita. It’s fresh and bright with a little kick to it. It’s not going to light your mouth on fire, I promise. (Well, not unless you’re a total spice wimp… I once knew a girl whose eyes watered when she put black pepper on her food. How..?) You can always taste as you go and add more to your liking. You might be surprised by how much you can actually handle.

Spicy food releases endorphins and dopamine, your “pleasure” and “reward” sensations, which is why you often can’t stop eating- or drinking- something spicy. Your mouth is feeling the burn, but your brain is translating the consumption of the spicy substance as a rewarding experience, so you are compelled to consume more. Your Brain on Capsaicin is an in-depth science-y article that goes into more detail about the science behind spicy foods. In fact, I was today years old when I found out that we don’t actually have tastebuds associated with “spiciness”. Yeah. You should read that article.

While we’re talking about food science, let’s chat about adding sweeteners to spicy Margaritas. This may sound crazy, but adding agave or simple syrup into a spicy Margarita doesn’t make it sweeter– it actually makes it taste spicier. Yeah. It may sound counter-intuitive, but it’s true and there’s science to prove it. Jess Dang wrote an informative article called A Study of Flavor Profiles. If you don’t have time to read the article, check out this helpful infographic from it:

Spicy and sweet flavors bring balance to one another and create a more dynamic flavor. Then take into account that this Spicy Basil Margarita also has the sour flavor going on with the lime juice. Wow. Talk about flavor dynamics.

Honestly, when I first made this cocktail, I only put a splash of agave in. I didn’t want it to be too sweet, after all. I tasted it. Good. I took some photos. I added more Kashmiri chili powder. Tasted again, and yet it didn’t taste much spicier. Then I remembered reading the aforementioned article a few days ago and doubled the amount of agave. Tasted again. BOOM. Instantly spicier and richer.

If for no other reason, make this cocktail as a science experiment and see if me and Jess Dang are right. Or leave out the chili powder & basil and enjoy a classic Margarita.

Ingredients for a Spicy Basil Margarita

  • 1 1/2 oz tequila (blanco is traditionally used for Margs but you can certainly use reposado)
  • 1 oz triple sec/orange liqueur
  • 3/4 oz fresh lime juice (freshly-squeezed makes all the difference)
  • 1/3 oz agave nectar (or simple syrup)
  • small handful of fresh basil leaves
  • Kashmiri chili powder (or other chili powder)

How To Make a Spicy Basil Margarita

For rimming your glass: Rub a juicy lime wedge around the top rim of a glass.  Fill a place or shallow bowl with either chili powder, salt, or a combination of the two. Dip the rim in the spice. Fill with ice.

Add the tequila and basil leaves to an empty cocktail shaker. Using a muddle or the back of a spoon, muddle the basil leaves until they’re bruised. Then add ice, orange liqueur, lime juice, agave, and 1-2 pinches of chili powder to the cocktail shaker. Shake well. Taste and see if you want more spice. Strain into your Margarita glass (or a lowball glass or a Solo cup or a mug for all I care). I’m partial to my super cute cactus Margarita glasses that I THOUGHT were a vintage at a thrift store but joke’s on me ’cause they’re from Dollar Tree. There are some really similar ones on Amazon, too.

vodka

Effortless Jam Cocktail & Mocktail | An Easy 3 Minute Drink Using Ingredients You Already Have on Hand

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Knowing how to make a jam cocktail or mocktail is a game-changer. It's easy to whip up in a moment's notice and feels very fancy.

Knowing how to make a jam cocktail is a game-changer. It’s easy to whip up in a moment’s notice and feels very fancy. The best part is, you’ll probably always have the ingredients on hand– who doesn’t have a jar or three of random jelly, jam, or preserves hiding in the back of the fridge? And if you actually do go out to grab a new jar, you’ll find soo many inspiring possibilities.

Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliate links. If you buy a product via my affiliate link, I will receive a commission. This is at no additional cost to you. I only recommend products I actually like! 

Blueberry preserves, raspberry jalapeno jam, ORANGE MARMALADE, mango habanero, and of course the classic strawberry and grape. Did you know that there’s such a thing as mint jelly? Yeah. That rocked my world, too. Add a spoonful of jam into any mixed drink and you’ve upped the flavor complexity.

Knowing how to make a jam cocktail or mocktail is a game-changer. It's easy to whip up in a moment's notice and feels very fancy.

Jam cocktails are so customizable. Want something refreshing and light? Add sparkling water. Feeling like a strong drink? Skip it & pour everything into a coupe or martini glass. Don’t feel like imbibing? Forgo the alcohol and enjoy sipping on something besides water. Mocktails require no thought when you know the secret about jam + tonic. And all the pregnant ladies said BLESS.

Flavor Combinations to Try

Need some flavor inspo? Here are some ideas to get you started:

  • gin + blackberry jam + lemon juice + basil + tonic water
  • vodka + apricot preserves + lemon juice + mint + lemon sparkling water
  • tequila + orange marmalade + grapefruit juice + rosemary + club soda
  • white rum + blueberry jam + lime juice + mint + club soda
Knowing how to make a jam cocktail or mocktail is a game-changer. It's easy to whip up in a moment's notice and feels very fancy.

An Outline of Ingredients for a Jam Cocktail or Mocktail

  • 1 1/2 – 2 oz vodka (or gin, whiskey, rum, or tequila… but vodka has the cleanest profile to work with, meaning it won’t compete with your other flavors)
  • 3/4 oz lemon juice or lime juice – fresh is always best
  • spoonful of jam
  • a sprig of a fresh herb – mint & basil pair well with all fruit flavs
  • tonic water, club soda, or unsweetened flavored sparkling water
  • [optional- if you like extra sweet drinks] 1/2 oz simple syrup or honey simple syrup

How to Make a Jam Cocktail or Mocktail

In a cocktail shaker, add vodka, lemon juice, and the herb. Muddle the herb leaves with a muddler or use the back of a spoon to release the flavor. Add the spoonful of jam and several ice cubes. Shake. Strain into a lowball glass that’s filled with ice. Top off the glass with your tonic or sparkling water. Garnish with any leftover herbs.

Jam Cocktail & Mocktail

The easiest way to make a cocktail using ingredients you already have on hand.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 3 mins
Course Drinks
Servings 1

Ingredients
  

  • 1½-2 oz liquor like vodka, gin, whiskey, rum, tequila (omit for a mocktail)
  • ¾ oz fresh citrus juice like lemon or lime
  • 1 spoonful jam (any jam will do!)
  • fresh herb like mint, basil, or thyme
  • 2+ oz sparkling water, club soda, or tonic
  • ½ oz simple syrup OPTIONAL

Instructions
 

  • In a cocktail shaker, add vodka, lemon juice, and the herb. Muddle the herb leaves with a muddler or use the back of a spoon to release the flavor.
  • Add the spoonful of jam and several ice cubes.
  • Shake well, about 30 seconds.
  • Strain into a lowball glass that's filled with ice.
  • Top off the glass with your tonic or sparkling water.
  • Garnish with a sprig of herb.½

Notes

If you want to forgo the liquor, this makes a nice and refreshing mocktail.
If you enjoy sweeter drinks, add the 1/2 oz of simple syrup.
Keyword club soda, jam, lemon, lime, sparkling water, tonic
Knowing how to make a jam cocktail or mocktail is a game-changer. It's easy to whip up in a moment's notice and feels very fancy.