Just like with food, cocktails are better with fresh ingredients. So I’m always curious as to what’s coming in to season and what might make good ingredients for a tasty drink. For example, this spring, we had a great mint crop and so there were lots of mint juleps and newcomers like the Añejo Smash.
Well, this summer the Beloved has had a bumper basil crop and this past week we got a gorgeous bunch of red grapes in our CSA box. These two items tickled a couple of neurons and I remembered a great summer drink: The Four Aces.
To start, add 6-8 grapes and 6-8 basil leaves to the your shaker. Muddle.
To that add:
- 1 oz vodka
- 1 oz Domaine de Canton ginger liqueur
- ½ oz simple syrup
- ½ oz lime juice
Shake vigorously with ice and fine strain into a cocktail glass (this drink is fine on the rocks too, but I like it up). Garnish with a basil leaf.
- Four Aces
The grapes and basil come together in a remarkably wonderful way, sweet and earthy all at the same time.
Oh look, mine’s done. Happy Summer!!
Stevil 
Nice…will try the grapes…and CSA or garden-based cocktails are the best…
I can’t believe that people would still buy mixes for cocktails. SO much better to use fresh ingredients.
Agreed! And the garden provides some inspiration…
putneyfarm — each CSA box is like a tiny Christmas. It’s what we use to plan our meals.
I would like to come to your house for happy hour!
And you should! Heck, we’ll even serve you dinner… :)
I can’t say I’ve ever thought of basil in a cocktail…..I’m intrigued because I love it!
This one is really good — very good for summer.
How would this taste without the vodka? Only one way to know..mmm..lets see..
you mean with gin or rum instead of the vodka — or as some sort of mocktail? Mocktails make me sad. Unless you’re 14. Or pregnant. And you’re not 14.
Oh look! Mine’s gone! :-)
And so’s the next one!
Love cocktails! I’d certainly try this one!
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Valety — it’s certainly not on most peoples’ short list, but it’s a great refresher!