Our cocktail game has been strong lately. 🤣 It’s finally been sunny and warm, there are so many fresh fruits in season right now, and my herb garden is mega-producing. All of these factors are the building blocks for mixing up some delicious, fruity, adult beverages at home! 🍹 This Pineapple Basil Vodka Smash Cocktail is one of the best ones yet!
Jump to RecipeYesterday was spent working over at my parents’ house, sorting through their belongings and deciding what to keep and what to sell. It was exhausting–both physically and emotionally.
When I came home, a cocktail was required.
It also happened to be my mother-in-law’s birthday, so we had a small, socially distanced celebration for her planned. My husband stopped at Outback on his way home from work and picked up her favorite barbecue ribs, to go. When he got home with dinner, I was already well on my way to mixing up this amazing Pineapple Basil Vodka Smash Cocktail!
This drink is fruity and tropical, with a delicious herby kick to it! The basil flavor in the background, combined with the fresh pineapple, is so good, and ultra-refreshing on a hot summer day.
How to Make Pineapple Basil Vodka Smash Cocktail
Basil Simple Syrup
You can make this cocktail with just regular simple syrup (or even Agave syrup from a bottle) if you’re in a hurry, but the extra punch of basil from the flavored syrup brings this to the next level. And by next level, I mean every-care-in-the-world-easing-away kinda next level.
If the basil in your herb garden is thriving right now, basil simple syrup is a great way to use it!
To make the basil simple syrup, combine 1 cup of sugar with 1 cup of water and a handful of fresh basil leaves in a saucepan over medium heat. Smash the leaves a bit while stirring the mixture, allowing the sugar to dissolve.
Simmer for 5 minutes, then turn off heat. Let cool for about an hour, so the the mixture can infuse with the basil.
Strain the leaves out, and cool completely before using. This can be made ahead of time and kept in the fridge for up to 2 weeks. I always use a mason jar.
This simple syrup would be great in my Cucumber Basil Martinis, too, so you’re definitely going to want to make some to stash in your fridge!
Use a Cocktail Shaker
In a cocktail shaker, muddle several chunks of the diced pineapple with 3-4 leaves of basil.
Add the vodka, simple syrup, pineapple juice and lemon juice to the shaker with a few cubes of ice. Put the lid on the shaker, and shake vigorously.
Fill a tall collins glass or hurricane glass halfway with ice. I prefer crushed for this, but cubes would work also.
Pour the mixture over the ice, and top with about 1 ounce per glass of club soda, to add some sparkle and fizz.
Don’t forget to add a pretty garnish to give it some WOW factor! I used a few chunks of diced pineapple, a spring of basil leaves, and some tropical straws I got at the Dollar Tree last summer.
Pineapple Basil Vodka Smash
Ingredients
- 2 ounces basil simple syrup see instructions & ingredients below
- 3 ounces vodka
- 4 ounces fresh pineapple juice
- 1/2 lemon juiced
- 10-12 fresh basil leaves
- several chunks of fresh pineapple
- club soda
Instructions
Basil Simple Syrup
- To make the basil simple syrup combine 1 cup of sugar with 1 cup of water and a handful of fresh basil leaves in a saucepan over medium heat. Smash the leaves a bit while stirring the mixture to dissolve the sugar. Simmer for 5 minutes then turn off heat. Let cool for about an hour for the mixture to infuse with the basil. Strain and cool completely before using. This can be made ahead of time and kept in the fridge for up to 2 weeks. I use a Mason jar.
For the Cocktail
- In a cocktail shaker, muddle several chunks of the diced pineapple with 3-4 leaves of basil.
- Add the vodka, simple syrup, pineapple juice and lemon juice to the shaker with a few cubes of ice. Put the lid on the shaker, and shake vigorously.
- Fill a tall collins glass or hurricane glass halfway with ice.
- Pour mixture over ice and top with about 1 oz per glass of club soda, to add some sparkle and fizz.
- Garnish with a few pineapple chunks, a sprig of fresh basil and a pretty straw!
We took our drinks outside, for a little sipping and front porch swinging before dinner.
It was almost like a vacation in a glass, and just what I needed for a few moments of respite.
If you’re really feeling in the cocktail mood, you might want to try mixing up your own Margarita Flight!
Cheers!
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