Strawberry Basil Martinis

Strawberries are in peak season right now, so I took a little visit to my local strawberry farm.  My basil is blowing up too…so guess what I made for “Thirsty Thursday”? 

I want to take a minute to tell you how important it is to support your local economy.  Please support your neighbors & buy local whenever you can.  I had the greatest time picking my own strawberries at Garner Farm here in Morehead City, NC.  Walking through the field and filling up my little bucket with strawberries took me back to childhood. You surely can’t get that in a crowded grocery store .

Yesterday I realized what my Mom has been telling me all these years…take time to meditate & don’t rush through life too fast trying to reach a “happy” destination; it’s a journey. (It took me 36 years?).  Sometimes I catch myself rushing to the grocery store or running errands to get what I need, not even remembering the trip because life is such a whirlwind.

Wow, that little walk in the strawberry field was like therapy…LOL!    So what does all of this have to do with the martini?  Nothing.  Sorry.

So here’s what you’ll need:  A shaker, a muddler, gin, strawberry vodka (or regular vodka will do), fresh strawberries, basil leaves, lime juice, ice & simple syrup.  Now I couldn’t find simple syrup so I made my own.  It’s just sugar dissolved in warm water (that’s how I made it & it worked, anyway).  Also, if you don’t have a muddler, you can squish up the strawberries & basil using a fork or the back of a spoon.

Start with muddling strawberries & basil in the shaker:

Then add ice & all the other ingredients.  Shake vigorously so you’ll get those little slivers of ice in the martini that everyone likes so much.  Strain into a martini glass. This recipe makes 2 strawberry basil martinis…cheers!