Basil Lemontini (Not Your Mother’s Martini)

by Dorothy Reinhold on September 17, 2010


Print This Post Print This Post Basil Lemontini on Shockingly Delicious

Before the basil completely disappears from your garden for the season, try it in a new drink I made up. I nominate this for the best use of fresh basil since the Basil-Honey Dressing!

After I made the fragrant, herbaceous, delectable Basil Simple Syrup — for which there are many uses — it became clear that one of the best uses might be a cocktail! It’s always 5 o’clock somewhere, isn’t it?

This makes a sophisticated, gorgeous pale martini that will intrigue the palate and pique the appetite for the meal ahead.  Note: I tried it with both rum (acceptable) and tequila (completely overwhelms the basil flavor), but the winner is vodka.

Make the Basil Simple Syrup the day before, so you are not rushed. No one likes a rushed bartender.

Basil Lemontini

If you like your martini with more alcohol and a “leaner” taste, increase the vodka to 4 tablespoons.

  • 1 1/2 tablespoons Basil Simple Syrup
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons fresh Meyer lemon juice (can use juice from a regular lemon)
  • 3 tablespoons vodka
    Add all ingredients to a cocktail shaker with crushed ice. Shake well and strain into a martini glass.  Garnish with a strawberry and/or fresh basil leaf, if you like.Makes 1 drink.

{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }

Luisa Bellissimo September 9, 2020 at 6:40 pm

Will be trying this soon!
Yummy and I have sooo much basil in my garden!

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Nancy@acommunaltable September 23, 2010 at 7:19 pm

Ooooh… do I detect a Jimmy Buffett fan around here??? Beautiful photo of a beautiful cocktail – and I could really use one about now!!!

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Holly C September 18, 2010 at 6:01 pm

Dorothy, this sounds delightful, and I can’t wait to try it. But I have to know what is the little drink accompaniment in the photo? Is that a cracker or a cookie? And is there a recipe for that?

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Dorothy September 18, 2010 at 10:21 pm

Holly, that is a Wheat Thin! Very exotic, I know. I love ’em.

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Holly C September 19, 2010 at 6:41 pm

How funny….they look like an exotic cookie next to that beautiful cocktail! Thanks so much for all of your recipes. I look forward to your food wisdom every day. Your aunt Doris is a coworker of mine and I am grateful that she turned me on to shockinglydelicious! You’ve made our meals shockingledelicious, thank you very much.

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Dorothy September 19, 2010 at 8:03 pm

Holly,
Thank you! How nice!

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