The Blueberry Basil Smash
I am on a quest for the perfect summer cocktail and have decided to dedicate an entire series here to it! My first in a summer-long series to come is this earthy but light Blueberry Basil Smash.
I used to bartend way-back-when and loved making all the fancy cocktails. It was fun to experiment with different liquors and ingredients and I was always coming up with some new signature concoction. My parties were known for special themed cocktails, and I would get requests year after year for fan favourites.
Use fresh good quality ingredients
Now that I’m home I am loving the opportunity to experiment again! It’s also satisfying to use quality ingredients and know that I’m not just drinking flavoured sugar water. I don’t particularly like sweet drinks – I don’t even put sugar in my coffee. So when it comes to those over-the-top cocktails in all the bars I stay far away. For me a cocktail needs to be refreshing, light and with only a hint of sweetness to it.
I added just a hint of sweetness to this Blueberry Basil Smash with a 1/2 teaspoon of organic wildflower honey. I love the taste of honey, and the bonus health benefits too! Honey is full of antioxidants and phytonutrients. Best of all though it is anti-bacterial too making it a cold-fighting powerhouse.
Gin lovers of the world speak to me
I used to hate gin. Scratch that…I thought I hated gin. I found out a few years ago that it was actually the tonic from the gin and tonic I tried that I hated. Yuk. As it turns out, gin is actually quite light and mixes nicely into all sorts of cocktails. Don’t hold a grudge like I did, give gin a second try with this Blueberry Basil Smash.
Because I spent years avoiding gin at all costs I have no idea who the big players in the gin world are. I’m still learning and trying them out. In the meantime, for this recipe I used Aviation Gin. This is the gin that Ryan Reynolds is peddling shamelessly and I’m a sucker for Ryan Reynolds. Actually I’m a sucker for a great sense of humour and a good heart. When the pandemic hit and so many businesses had to shut down Ryan and Aviation Gin decided to donate some of the proceeds from the sales to bartenders across Canada. That’s big love right there so I’m happy to support.
So there you go! A new summer favourite. Make it tonight and leave me a comment below to let me know how much you love it.
Blueberry Basil Smash
Ingredients
- 1.5 oz Gin Pick your favourite brand
- .25 cup Blueberries
- .5 tsp Wildflower Honey You can use sugar if you don't have honey.
- 4-5 leaves Fresh Basil
- Juice from 1/2 Fresh Lime
- 1 can Blackberry Bubly Feel free to use Sparkling Water or Club Soda instead.
Instructions
- Muddle the Blueberries, Basil, Honey and Lime in a tall glass.
- Add Ice, Gin and Bubly
- Garnish with Fresh Basil and a Wedge of Lime
- Sip away!
Notes
The Process | Aviation Gin
I try to support brands that I can be proud of, whether for their quality or their positioning in the world. In doing so I think it’s good to know where they come from if you can. The story of Aviation Gin is fascinating and you should all watch this mini-documentary so you too can appreciate its fine, intricate roots. Aviation Gin is an American original … now owned by a Canadian.
