Basil-Strawberry & Balsamic Vinegar Cocktail

This is a great cocktail for the summer. Lots of things going on but all the notes complement each other.

Ingredients:  

• 2-3 Strawberries
• 3-4 Basil leaves
• ½ of a fresh Lime or ½ ounce of Lime juice
• ¾ ounce Caramel Balsamic Vinegar Syrup (see previous post)
• ½ ounce Orange Liquor (I use Gran Gala)
• 2 ounces White Rum (or Cachaça which is even better!)

Muddle the strawberries and basil in a Boston shaker

Add the rest of the ingredients

Shake vigorously to homogenize the ingredients

Double strain into a glass using your traditional cocktail strainer and a “Conical Cocktail Sieve”. The strainer gets the big chunks and the sieve takes care of all of the little bits of basil and ice that can interfere with your drink. Definitely needed for this drink.

I like to use a large square ice cube and garnish it with a slice of strawberry and a basil leaf.

Enjoy!