Looking for a strawberry basil cocktail recipe for your summer party? Look no further! Fresh strawberries and basil are just about as summery as you can get, and this one makes a great batch cocktail, so invite everyone!
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Summer's here and... fill in as you like. I say fill in with "Let's have a strawberry basil cocktail!" Why not have a few people over and serve something summer-y to drink?
What's different about my recipe? I'm using Prosecco. No vodka. No gin. Less measuring, just dump the whole bottle in. (I rhymed!)
And who needs to be playing bartender all day? Just put it in a pitcher. Or a big bowl. It's too hot and I'm too tired.
Jump to:
Strawberry Basil Cocktail says summer!
The flavors of strawberry and basil in this cocktail are the epitome of summer. Refreshing and bright, and just what you want to sip on at a party or backyard barbecue.
The only labor involved in this strawberry basil cocktail recipe is making the strawberry simple syrup, and that can be made a week or more before. No muddling or dealing with strawberry seeds floating around in your drink!
Squeeze a bit of lemon juice, pour in a bottle of sparkling white wine, and that's it!
And we're using Prosecco to keep it classy. Of course you can use whatever sparkling wine you like. It's an easy batch cocktail recipe that everyone will love.
Pour yourself one, put your feet up and enjoy the breeze. Repeat.
Ingredients you'll need
With just a few simple ingredients and a bit of advance planning, you'll be drinking strawberry basil cocktails all summer long!
- Fresh strawberries: Get the freshest strawberries you can find, that are a bright red color with no brown spots.
- Fresh basil: Snip your basil it right from the garden if you can. If not, look for bright green leaves and store at room temp, never in the fridge!
- Black peppercorns: You'll be amazed when you discover how well the black pepper, strawberries, and basil complement each other in the cocktail.
- Sugar and water: The base of our simple syrup.
- Prosecco: Prosecco is a sparkling white wine that's made in Italy. I think the flavor really complements the strawberries. Choose your favorite brand.
- Fresh squeezed lemon juice: Gives a nice bright bit of acidity.
- Cold water: This will dilute the syrup before we pour in the sparkling wine.
Variations
- You can substitute champagne or cava for the prosecco.
- For even more bubbles, swap in club soda for the cold water before mixing.
- Leave out the black peppercorns when making the strawberry syrup if you want.
- You could definitely add a bit of your favorite clear liquor. Try vodka, gin, or rum.
How to make a strawberry basil cocktail
Step 1: Make the strawberry simple syrup
- Hull and slice the strawberries
- Place sliced strawberries and 2 cups water in a medium saucepan and bring to a boil. Reduce to a medium simmer for 20 minutes, until the berries have lost most of their color.
- Skim off foam that rises to the top, otherwise your syrup will be cloudy.
- Strain the strawberries into another clean pan. Do not press down on the strawberries - this will also make your syrup cloudy.
- Place pan with strawberry liquid over medium-high heat. Add ½ cup sugar and stir to dissolve.
- Add 2 cups basil and 1 tablespoon black peppercorns and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 5 minutes. Remove from heat and strain into a jar or other storage container to cool. Store in the refrigerator. Syrup will keep in the fridge for a few weeks.
Step 2: Mix the strawberry basil cocktail and serve
In a pitcher or punch bowl, pour 1 cup fresh-squeezed lemon juice, 2 cups cold water, and all of the strawberry syrup. Add one bottle of sparkling white wine. Garnish with a basil leaf.
Tips for strawberry basil cocktails
- Skimming the foam as the strawberries cook down is a bit tedious, but it's the only tedious thing about this recipe, and it's totally worth it to make a drink that your friends will be raving about for weeks, so it's totally worth it!
- Store the strawberry simple syrup in the refrigerator for 2 - 3 weeks. Make a double batch!
- Make ahead: You can make the strawberry syrup a couple of weeks ahead of time, but don't mix the strawberry basil cocktails until ready to serve. You want to preserve those bubbles in the Prosecco!
FAQ
Yes it can! Just add the strawberry simple syrup to club soda instead of adding the Prosecco.
Yes, you can use frozen strawberries to make the simple syrup. Add them to the water when they are still frozen and follow the instructions as directed.
Yes!! This is essentially a batch cocktail recipe. All of the simple syrup combined with one full bottle of sparkling wine makes 14 strawberry basil cocktails.
More summer cocktail recipes
- An Old Cuban Cocktail is also made with sparkling white wine, as well as refreshing lime juice. It's my favorite way to beat the summer heat!
- A Dirty Shirley is a grown up version of a Shirley Temple, made with vodka. It's so silly and so much fun.
- It doesn't get more refreshing than a Campari and Soda, and you can't get much simpler, either.
More strawberry recipes
- Strawberries are great in savory dishes like this Strawberry Arugula Salad with Basil and Mint.
- There's nothing like a frozen treat! Try a Dairy-Free Strawberry Shake on a hot summer day.
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Recipe
Strawberry-Basil Prosecco Cocktail
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 bottle Prosecco or other sparkling white wine such as Cava
- 1 cup lemon juice freshly squeezed
- 2 cups cold water
- 1 lb strawberries hulled and quartered
- 2 cups water
- 2 cups fresh basil lightly packed
- 1 tablespoon black peppercorns
- ½ cup sugar
Instructions
- Rinse, hull, and quarter the strawberries.
- Place strawberries and 2 cups water in a medium saucepan and bring to a boil. Reduce to a medium simmer for 20 minutes, until the berries have lost most of their color. Skim off foam that rises to the top, otherwise your syrup will be cloudy.
- Strain the strawberries into another clean pan. Do not press down on the strawberries – this will also make your syrup cloudy. Place pan with strawberry liquid over medium-high heat, add ½ cup sugar and stir to dissolve.
- Add 2 cups basil and 1 tablespoon black peppercorns and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 5 minutes. Remove from heat and strain into a jar or other storage container to cool. Store in the fridge. Syrup will keep in the fridge for a few weeks.
- In a pitcher or punch bowl, pour 1 cup fresh-squeezed lemon juice, 2 cups cold water, and all of the strawberry syrup. Add one bottle of sparkling white wine. Garnish with a basil leaf.
Notes
- Skimming the foam as the strawberries cook down is a bit tedious, but it's the only tedious thing about this recipe, and it's totally worth it to make a drink that your friends will be raving about for weeks, so it's totally worth it!
- Store the strawberry simple syrup in the refrigerator for 2 - 3 weeks. Make a double batch!
- Make ahead: You can make the strawberry syrup a couple of weeks ahead of time, but don't mix the strawberry basil cocktails until ready to serve. You want to preserve those bubbles in the Prosecco!
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