Sweet blueberries, tangy lemonade, and just a hint of basil make this boozy basil blueberry lemonade THE cocktail of the summer!
- 1 3/4 cups water
- 1 1/2 cups sugar
- 1 cup basil leaves, packed
- 4 cups blueberries
- 1 cup basil simple syrup (recipe above)
- 1 1/2 cups lemon juice
- 1 1/2 Tbsp lemon zest
- 2 cups blueberries
- 1/3 cup sugar
- 1 liter blueberry vodka
- ice
- lemon slices, blueberries, and basil sprigs ( for garnish)
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Combine water, sugar, and basil in a small saucepan over medium heat. Heat until sugar is dissolved and then remove from heat. Let the basil leaves steep in the simple syrup for 10 mins, then strain, pressing on leaves. Let the syrup chill in the refrigerator until ready to use.
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Combine blueberries, simple syrup, lemon juice, and lemon zest in a blender. Puree until very smooth. Strain using a fine mesh sieve and discard the solids.
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Put the blueberries and sugar into the blender and puree.
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Combine the lemonade and vodka in one or two large pitchers and stir well to combine.
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Fill glasses with ice and place a spoon of blueberry puree in each glass. Pour blueberry lemonade into each glass and garnish with a lemon slice, a few fresh blueberries, and a sprig of basil.
- Since we're all about easy entertaining for the 4th, mix up this blueberry lemonade the day before. It actually allows the flavors to really meld and it means all you need to do before serving is plunk a few ice cubes into a glass and pour.
- If you can't find blueberry vodka you can substitute regular vodka, lemon vodka, or leave it out altogether for a virgin libation.
- Fresh ingredients, including freshly squeezed lemon juice, will yield the tastiest cocktail.