We’ve teamed up with Fever-Tree to share season-ready drink recipes starring their top-notch cocktail mixers—like the ultra-refreshing Sparkling Lime & Yuzu. Here, bartender Christian Suzuki-Orellana offers two bubbly cocktail recipes made with the…
We’ve teamed up with Fever-Tree to share season-ready drink recipes starring their top-notch cocktail mixers—like the ultra-refreshing Sparkling Lime & Yuzu. Here, bartender Christian Suzuki-Orellana offers two bubbly cocktail recipes made with the Sparkling Lime & Yuzu’s favorite spirits: vodka and tequila.
In the past year alone, Bay Area bartender Christian Suzuki-Orellana, aka Suzu, has taught nearly a thousand virtual cocktail classes. So he knows a thing or two about making bar-worthy cocktails accessible to just about anyone, regardless of skill level or equipment.
Here’s the perfect summer cocktail for when herbs abound: the Gin Basil Smash! Use your basil plant for this refreshing and herbaceous drink.
Got basil? Love gin? Here’s the ideal drink for you: the Gin Basil Smash! This modern spin on the Whiskey Smash is light and herbaceous, pairing peppery basil with botanical gin. If there’s summer in a cocktail glass, this is it! We love drinking our herbs all season long, and this new addition to our summer cocktails perfectly captures that feeling of fresh cut grass between your toes and sticky melted popsicle fingers. (At least, we think so!)
What’s in a Gin Basil Smash?
The Gin Basil Smash is a cocktail made with gin, basil and fresh lemon juice, a riff on the popular Whiskey Smash. First published as a recipe in 1887, the Whiskey Smash pairs lemon, mint, sugar and crushed ice as a refreshing summer cocktail. Substitute in basil and gin, and you’ve got this drink.
This gin variation was invented in 2008 by a man named Jörg Meyer, owner of the Germany bar Bar Le Lion, who posted the recipe on his website. It became an international success and is now made around the world. (Read more about the origin story.) Here’s what you need to make a Gin Basil Smash:
Gin
Basilleaves
Lemon juice
Simple syrup
How to muddle basil
The best time to make a Gin Basil Smash? The summer, when you have a big pot of bright green basil! You’ll need 8 to 10 basil leaves per drink, so it’s more economical to go the home-grown route. The cocktail skill we’ll use to extract that delicious, peppery flavor is called muddling. Muddling is gently mashing herbs to release their juices, which helps the flavors incorporate into drinks.
When it comes to herbs, you’ll want to have a gentle touch when muddling. Here’s how to muddle herbs, including basil:
Place the basil leaves in the bottom of a cocktail shaker. If you don’t have one, you can use a large metal cup or bowl.
With a wooden cocktail muddler or unfinished wooden spoon, gently mash the mint a few times to release the juices. Do not mash the basil with lots of force! The key to muddling is a light touch.
Any type of gin works for a Gin Basil Smash! Try to find a mid-priced bottle, since price is usually indicative of quality when it comes to spirits. Here are a few tips for buying gin:
Every brand is different. There’s a wide range of botanical flavors in different brands of gin. Experiment to find your favorite!
Malfy gin is a good option: it has a nice balance of flavors.
Steer away from Tanqueray gin: in our opinion, it’s a little too floral.
More basil cocktails & mint cocktails
There are so many ways to use fresh herbs in cocktails in the summer! Here are a few more ideas:
Bright, fruit-forward, crowd-pleasing, frozen, something you’d drink on a beach vacation—there’s no cut-and-dry definition of a summer cocktail. It’s a vibe, really. Here, I’ve gathered 22 concoctions you can enjoy pre- or post-sunset, separated into “…
Bright, fruit-forward, crowd-pleasing, frozen, something you’d drink on a beach vacation—there’s no cut-and-dry definition of a summer cocktail. It’s a vibe, really. Here, I've gathered 22 concoctions you can enjoy pre- or post-sunset, separated into "by the glass," individual or two-person servings that could easily be scaled up; "by the pitcher," for a bigger crowd; and "frozen," because it’s the time for all things frozen.
P.S. It’s almost definitely too early to think about this, but I'm going to point you in the direction of red, white, and blue Paloma slushies for upcoming Fourth of July cookouts. You’re welcome.
Make drinks for a crowd with this mojito pitcher recipe! This big batch cocktail has the ideal bubbly, minty flavor and festive vibe. The minty mojito is one of top favorite classic cocktails of all time. But when it comes to entertaining, have you ever tried to shake up more than 2 drinks, one after another? It takes far too long to make them to order. So enter: this mojito pitcher recipe! We created this big batch cocktail for an outdoor dinner party, and it’s infinitely more fun to party with one of these in hand. It’s minty, tangy, bubbly, and gives you that carefree feeling like the last day of school before summer vacation. What’s in a mojito pitcher? The Classic Mojito was invented in Havana, Cuba, though the exact origin is unknown. Some say it goes all the way back to the 1500’s with an early combination of lime, sugar and rum. The modern version of it gained steam in the 1930’s, when writer Ernest Hemingway helped to popularize it. The Mojito made the list of International Bartender Association’s IBA official cocktails, which means it has an official definition. But it’s always defined as a single drink, not a pitcher. The pitcher […]
Make drinks for a crowd with this mojito pitcher recipe! This big batch cocktail has the ideal bubbly, minty flavor and festive vibe.
The minty mojito is one of top favorite classic cocktails of all time. But when it comes to entertaining, have you ever tried to shake up more than 2 drinks, one after another? It takes far too long to make them to order. So enter: this mojito pitcher recipe! We created this big batch cocktail for an outdoor dinner party, and it’s infinitely more fun to party with one of these in hand. It’s minty, tangy, bubbly, and gives you that carefree feeling like the last day of school before summer vacation.
What’s in a mojito pitcher?
The Classic Mojito was invented in Havana, Cuba, though the exact origin is unknown. Some say it goes all the way back to the 1500’s with an early combination of lime, sugar and rum. The modern version of it gained steam in the 1930’s, when writer Ernest Hemingway helped to popularize it.
The Mojito made the list of International Bartender Association’s IBA official cocktails, which means it has an official definition. But it’s always defined as a single drink, not a pitcher. The pitcher version uses a homemade mint simple syrup, which is a little different from the standard method. You’ll need the following ingredients:
Fresh mint
Lime juice
Sugar
White rum
Soda water
The key: mint simple syrup
The standard mojito is made in a cocktail shaker: first you muddle mint, then add simple syrup, lime juice and rum. But for a pitcher version, you don’t want to have to muddle such a large quantity of the herb. That’s where the mint syrup comes in! Make a quick mint simple syrup, and it infuses minty fresh flavor into each drink. It’s similar to this mint simple syrup, but even quicker. Here are the main steps:
Place mint leaves in a pan with equal parts sugar and water.
Bring to a simmer until the sugar is dissolved, then allow to sit at least 5 minutes.
Otherwise, this mojito pitcher recipe is beyond simple. Mix the syrup with lime juice and rum, then add ice and garnishes to the pitcher. Serve topped off with soda water! Speaking of…
Soda water vs club soda
Speaking of soda water…is it club soda? Is it seltzer? In this mojito pitcher recipe, we use the term “soda water” to mean any type of unflavored sparkling water! Here are some of the differences between club soda vs seltzer:
Soda water aka seltzer is carbonated water with no additives — straight up bubbles!
Club soda is carbonated water infused with added minerals, which give it a salty, lightly sweet flavor. It’s great in cocktails, like these top club soda cocktails.
In contrast, tonic water is carbonated water with added quinine and sugar. Don’t use it in a Mojito because of the distinct flavor. But you can use it for a Gin and Tonic, Vodka Tonic, Tequila Tonic or Whiskey Tonic!
Mojito variations
Want a few variations on this Mojito pitcher recipe? Here are a few different ideas to try: you can adapt each of them to work as a pitcher!
Limoncello Mojito Add this Italian lemon liqueur for a citrusy twist
Virgin Mojito Mocktail Go virgin and skip the rum! Use the mint syrup, but you can add a hint of orgeat too if you like.
Strawberry Mojito Muddle 1 pint strawberries for a fruity variation!
Raspberry Mojito Muddle 1 pint raspberries, and add it to the mix.
When to serve this mojito pitcher recipe
This mojito pitcher recipe is perfect for parties! Try it as a:
Add the sugar, water and mint to a small saucepan and heat over medium heat. Bring to a simmer and stir until all sugar is dissolved. Turn off the heat and allow it to sit for at least 5 minutes. Then strain it into a large pitcher.
Add the lime juice and rum to the pitcher. Add the extra mint leaves and the extra lime, cut into rounds. Fill the pitcher with 4 handfuls of ice. Gently stir in soda water just before serving.
We’ve teamed up with Fever-Tree to share season-ready drinks recipes starring their top-notch cocktail mixers—like Sparkling Pink Grapefruit and classic Ginger Beer. Here, Esteban Castillo of Chicano Eats shares two bright, citrusy recipes you can stir…
We’ve teamed up with Fever-Tree to share season-ready drinks recipes starring their top-notch cocktail mixers—like Sparkling Pink Grapefruit and classic Ginger Beer. Here, Esteban Castillo of Chicano Eats shares two bright, citrusy recipes you can stir up in no time flat.
When it comes to cocktails, “the simpler the better,” says Esteban Castillo—the creator of Chicano Eats, a food blog-turned-cookbook that celebrates Chicano (Mexican-American) cuisine and culture through stories, photos taken by Castillo himself, and of course, lots of delicious recipes.
An easy recipe for a refreshing and simple French spritz. This cocktail is made with just 3 ingredients and is perfect for spring and summer or even New Year’s Eve! If you like Champagne and St. Germain this cocktail is for you! Both Champagne an…
An easy recipe for a refreshing and simple French spritz. This cocktail is made with just 3 ingredients and is perfect for spring and summer or even New Year’s Eve! If you like Champagne and St. Germain this cocktail is for you! Both Champagne and St. Germain are made in France and compliment each other […]
It’s finally warming up in Chicago, so we’re cooling off with this mango margarita! To me, it’s the perfect warm weather drink – frosty, refreshing, and blissfully easy to make. Just toss 5 ingredients into the blender, puree un…
It’s finally warming up in Chicago, so we’re cooling off with this mango margarita! To me, it’s the perfect warm weather drink – frosty, refreshing, and blissfully easy to make. Just toss 5 ingredients into the blender, puree until smooth, and enjoy! Yep, making this frozen mango margarita recipe is as simple as that. Another great thing about this recipe? It’s all about the mango. Instead of using mango juice or added sweeteners, I blend up frozen mango to create its thick texture and sweet, tangy flavor. Once you try it, you’ll never make a mango margarita any other way. It’s smooth, […]
This coconut margarita recipe is the cocktail you didn’t know you were missing! It’s zingy and creamy, pairing lime and tequila with coconut. Here’s a drink that’s creamy, cool, refreshing and an absolute must for any margarita lover: this Coconut Margarita recipe! After trying 30+ margarita variations, this one rose to the top because it’s not like any other margarita variation you’ve tried! Tropical coconut pairs perfectly with the zing of lime and bite of tequila. The best part? The toasted coconut drink rim gives you a crunchy, tropical infusion to each sip. We love all our margarita recipes, but this one…this one is special. Ingredients in a coconut margarita The margarita was invented in Mexico in the 1930’s, and today remains one of the most popular classic cocktails of all time. The Classic Margarita has just 3 ingredients: tequila, triple sec and lime juice. For the coconut spin, add cremHere are the ingredients you’ll need for a raspberry margarita: Tequila Triple Sec (or Cointreau) Lime juice Cream of coconut (not coconut cream) Sweetened shredded coconut, for the rim Buy cream of coconut, not coconut cream The most important thing about this coconut margarita is making sure to buy the right coconut product. Buy […]
This coconut margarita recipe is the cocktail you didn’t know you were missing! It’s zingy and creamy, pairing lime and tequila with coconut.
Here’s a drink that’s creamy, cool, refreshing and an absolute must for any margarita lover: this Coconut Margarita recipe! After trying 30+ margarita variations, this one rose to the top because it’s not like any other margarita variation you’ve tried! Tropical coconut pairs perfectly with the zing of lime and bite of tequila. The best part? The toasted coconut drink rim gives you a crunchy, tropical infusion to each sip. We love all our margarita recipes, but this one…this one is special.
Ingredients in a coconut margarita
The margarita was invented in Mexico in the 1930’s, and today remains one of the most popular classic cocktails of all time. The Classic Margarita has just 3 ingredients: tequila, triple sec and lime juice. For the coconut spin, add cremHere are the ingredients you’ll need for a raspberry margarita:
The most important thing about this coconut margarita is making sure to buy the right coconut product. Buy cream of coconut, not coconut cream! A good rule of thumb? Opt for the squeeze bottle, not the can. Here’s more about what to know:
Cream of coconut is a sweetened syrup used for cocktails. It’s made with coconut cream and sugar. It’s sold in handy squeeze bottles to make it easy to add to drinks. Cream of coconut is easy to find online or at your local liquor store. A popular brand is Coco Real.
Coconut cream is unsweetened! It’s thick with a strong coconut flavor and sold in cans next to the coconut milk. Coconut cream is made from chilling coconut milk and then skimming off the layer of cream that floats to the top.
You can save your coconut margarita if you buy the wrong one. Here’s what to do: Use 1/2 ounce coconut cream and 1/2 ounce simple syrup in place of the 1 ounces cream of coconut.
How to make a toasted coconut rim!
The best part of this coconut margarita recipe? The toasted coconut rim! Drink rims are not just fun visually: they add a textural element and pop of flavor to each sip. Here’s what to know about making this drink rim:
Toast the coconut. Here’s how to toast coconut — we used the stovetop instructions which takes just a few minutes. Just make sure to keep an eye on it: coconut can go from raw to burned in a flash!
Use the cream of coconut to adhere the coconut. Alex had a stroke of genius with this drink: he used the cream of coconut to stick the coconut to the glass. It works like a charm!
Dip the rim in cream of coconut, then a plate of toasted coconut. You’ll just want the outer edge of the glass to be covered. It takes a little time, but it’s worth it for the flavor!
Make a coconut margarita pitcher (8 servings)
Serving a crowd? Mix up a coconut margarita pitcher instead! A pitcher is more efficient because it makes 8 servings in just 5 minutes! Here’s what to mix:
2 cups tequila
1/2 cup triple sec
1/2 cup lime juice
1 cup cream of coconut
3 handfuls ice
Throw them in a pitcher, mix, and enjoy! Let us know what you think of this tasty drink in the comments below.
Toast the coconut. Remove it from the heat and place it in a single layer on a plate.
Add a bit of extra cream of coconut to a separate plate and dip the edge of the rim of the glass into it. Then dip the rim into the plate of toasted coconut.
Place the tequila, triple sec, lime juice, and cream of coconut in a cocktail shaker and add one handful ice. Shake until cold. Strain the margarita into the glass with the coconut rim. Fill the glass with ice and serve.
For a pitcher: add 2 cups tequila, 1/2 cup triple sec, 1/2 cup lime juice, and 1 cup cream of coconut to a pitcher. Add 3 handfuls ice and stir.
I became engrossed with author Ernest Hemingway watching the documentary, Hemingway by filmmakers Ken Burns and Lynn Novick. Hemingway is one of those legends whose name we all know, but most of us don’t know all that much about him. The documentary takes an unflinching look at him, and his legacy, thanks to contemporary writers, literary scholars, and historians, who filled in much of the…
I became engrossed with author Ernest Hemingway watching the documentary, Hemingway by filmmakers Ken Burns and Lynn Novick. Hemingway is one of those legends whose name we all know, but most of us don’t know all that much about him. The documentary takes an unflinching look at him, and his legacy, thanks to contemporary writers, literary scholars, and historians, who filled in much of the biographical information that accompanied his history, which wasn’t always rosy.
Some books of his were big hits while others fell flat. Some consider The Old Man and the Sea a great novel while others described it in unflattering terms. He had a penchant for falling in love madly in love with women, which usually took a turn for the worse…which is being kind. (Although discussed and implied, the relationships sounded harrowing.) He swore at his mother in writings and later, he got an earful in turn from his son, who sent him a letter calling The Old Man and the Sea “sentimental slop.” He married multiple times, suffered debilitating war injuries, drank too much, had affairs, survived two plane crashes, and lived in Cuba, Paris, Key West, before finally settling at the end of his life in Ketchum, Idaho.
What’s more festive than a strawberry mimosa? This berry spin on the classic stars fresh strawberries, orange juice and Prosecco. When it comes to classic cocktails, usually the original is the best. But when it comes to mimosas… well, this Strawberry Mimosa might be even better! The classic mimosa stars orange juice and champagne: but why not add bright red strawberries to the mix? Pureeing fresh strawberries with the orange juice adds fruity berry notes to the flavor palate. Even better, the color is vibrantly rosy! It’s a stunning brunch cocktail that makes any occasion more festive…even if it’s just a celebration for yourself! Ingredients in a strawberry mimosa The mimosa couldn’t be a simpler drink to put together, starring the classic combination of citrus and bubbles. The Classic Mimosa was invented in the 1920’s, supposedly in Paris. It’s gone on to be one of the most famous cocktails of all time, and it’s made the list of International Bartender Association’s IBA official cocktails. The strawberry mimosa is a fun spin-off on the classic drink, adding fresh berries to the mix. The ingredients for a strawberry mimosa are: Orange juice: Any store-bought brand will work: you don’t need fresh squeezed […]
What’s more festive than a strawberry mimosa? This berry spin on the classic stars fresh strawberries, orange juice and Prosecco.
When it comes to classic cocktails, usually the original is the best. But when it comes to mimosas… well, this Strawberry Mimosa might be even better! The classic mimosa stars orange juice and champagne: but why not add bright red strawberries to the mix? Pureeing fresh strawberries with the orange juice adds fruity berry notes to the flavor palate. Even better, the color is vibrantly rosy! It’s a stunning brunch cocktail that makes any occasion more festive…even if it’s just a celebration for yourself!
Ingredients in a strawberry mimosa
The mimosa couldn’t be a simpler drink to put together, starring the classic combination of citrus and bubbles. The Classic Mimosa was invented in the 1920’s, supposedly in Paris. It’s gone on to be one of the most famous cocktails of all time, and it’s made the list of International Bartender Association’s IBA official cocktails. The strawberry mimosa is a fun spin-off on the classic drink, adding fresh berries to the mix. The ingredients for a strawberry mimosa are:
Orange juice: Any store-bought brand will work: you don’t need fresh squeezed here
Fresh strawberries: It’s best with fresh berries, but you can use frozen strawberries if desired
Sparkling wine: use champagne, Prosecco, or your favorite sparkling wine (see below)
Use champagne, Prosecco, or any sparkling wine
The classic for a mimosa is champagne, but we like it even better with Italian Prosecco! You can really use any type of sparkling wine. Prosecco is generally a little cheaper champagne: you can find a great Prosecco for $15 per bottle. Because champagne is more tricky to produce, it’s more expensive: a good bottle starts at $30 to $40. (Here’s a little more about Prosecco vs Champagne.) Whatever sparkling wine you buy, make sure it’s “brut” which means dry. Here’s a little more about the various types:
Champagne: French sparkling wine (most expensive choice). It tastes bubbly and fruity, with undertones of almond and orange.
Prosecco: Italian sparkling wine. It’s a little sweeter than champagne: fruity and flowery, with notes of apple, pear and lemon.
Cava: Spanish sparkling wine. It has more citrus notes, and is a little more savory and less fruity.
How to make a strawberry mimosa: a few tips
This strawberry mimosa is so easy to make: simply pour all the ingredients in a champagne flute! There are just a few things to keep in mind here:
Puree the strawberries and orange juice. Nothing special there: just whiz it up in a blender until it forms a strawberry puree.
Add the sparkling wine first (to contain the mess) or last (for fizz). There are two ways to add the champagne in a mimosa. Add it first and it contains the mess and there’s less bubbling. But if you like those beautiful bubbles, add the sparkling wine last! It makes a frothy bubble fountain.
Garnish with strawberries, if you’d like. Fresh strawberries are a lovey way to add pizzazz. Add slices of berries or whole berries. Use a cocktail skewer to get them to balance the top of the glass like you see here.
Fresh berries are best, but use frozen in a pinch
This strawberry mimosa is best with fresh berries. But want to try it with frozen? You can with one caveat!
Frozen strawberries are a little more tart than the sweet flavor of fresh berries.
Want to balance it out? If you’d like, you can add a little drizzle of maple syrup or simple syrup to sweeten the strawberry puree just a bit.
And that’s it: it couldn’t be simpler! This strawberry mimosa is for 6 drinks, so it’s party ready! We optimized the recipe for what you’ll get from a standard champagne or Prosecco bottle. What to do with the extra strawberry puree? Well, it’s so delicious, you might just want to drink it! It tastes like a strawberry orange smoothie.
More mimosa variations!
Love mimosas? Us too! In fact, we love them so much that we’ve made all sorts of variations on them. If you want to mix it up even more, here are a few more fruity types of mimosa recipes:
1 750mL bottle Prosecco, champagne or other sparkling wine
Instructions
Remove the tops from the strawberries. Add them to a blender with the orange juice and blend.
For each drink, add 1/4 cup puree to a champagne flute and top off with 1/2 cup of Prosecco.
Notes
*Frozen strawberries are usually a little more tart than fresh berries. If desired, you can add a little drizzle of maple syrup or simple syrup to sweeten.
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