If you have never experienced the sheer joy of a basil-lime martini, then you need to run, don't walk to my house and have one tonight! I know the sound of it is a little funky, but trust me, basil, lime and vodka is a divine combination.
Basil-Lime Martini
15 – 20 large basil leaves
1 ¼ cup freshly squeezed lime juice (about 6-8 limes)
1 750ML bottle of GOOD vodka – Tito’s is my favorite, but since living here I can’t find it so I use Grey Goose
2 cups water
1 ½ cup sugar
Make simple syrup by simmering sugar and water together in a saucepan until all sugar has dissolved and syrup get a tad thick. Turn heat off, throw in all basil, and muddle (smash) together until leaves are well bruised. (This is much easier if you have ‘real’ muddler, but you can also use a wooden spoon or potato masher, etc.) Let cool. Once cooled, pour basil simple syrup through a strainer to remove all basil leaves. Using a funnel, pour the basil simple syrup into the storage container, add lime and vodka. Put the lid on and shake. If you want one right away, just add ice to a cocktail shaker add a martini and shake. If you are making these in advance for a party, they will last a very long time in the freezer – when you pull them out of the freezer just shake and pour. Ahhhh……