Lemon Basil Strawberry Gin Rickey Cocktail

I’ll never get tired of sangria, margarita or other refreshing summer cocktail recipes. But I still love finding brand new cocktails to try out! This strawberry gin rickey cocktail is a sweet and fruity cocktail with gin and strawberries. You need to make a strawberry basil simple syrup and then you can combine it with the other ingredients. This is a tasty variation on a classic gin rickey to try this summer.

Bursting with the flavors of fresh strawberries, zesty lemon, and fragrant basil, this delicious cocktail is perfect for sipping on a hot summer day. So grab your cocktail shaker and let’s get mixing!

If you enjoy these, you might also like to try lemon stuffed cupcakes, spring pretzel bites or how about one of these Italian cookie recipes?

How Do You Make Strawberry Basil Simple Syrup?

This is the key to a great strawberry gin rickey cocktail. A simple syrup is the term for sugar dissolved in water, but here we are adding fresh berries and basil for flavour.

You need to bring those ingredients to a simmer and then let it cook until nice and thick. The resulting strawberry basil simple syrup is amazing in this variation on a classic gin rickey. It also keeps for up to a week in the refrigerator so you can make extra.

Steps for Making Strawberry Gin Rickey Cocktail

To make this lemon strawberry drink with basil, you first need to make the syrup. Then add it to a pitcher along with gin, lemon juice, ice, and soda water. You can garnish this variation on a classic gin rickey however you like.

Fresh mint or basil work as nice garnishes, as do fresh strawberries or lemon slices. For the soda, you can use club soda, seltzer water or regular sparkling water. Add between half a cup and a full cup depending how strong you want this cocktail with gin to be.

What is a Gin Rickey Cocktail?

This refreshing summer cocktail is a delicious cocktail with gin. It gets its name from Joe Rickey who was a Democratic Lobbyist in the late 1800s in Washington DC. He enjoyed mixing bourbon with sparkling water. One day, Rickey asked the barman to add lime, creating the first bourbon rickey. This cocktail grew in popularity and later gin was subbed for the lime. The gin and lime add flavour while the sparkling water dilutes it down.

This is naturally a sugar free cocktail and if you like tart flavours you should enjoy it. If you prefer something a little sweeter though, this lemon strawberry drink with basil is perfect. The strawberry basil simple syrup is a breeze to make and then you simply have to add the other ingredients to it. If you are a strawberry fan, this is the best gin rickey cocktail to try.

There are different ways to make this gin cocktail, although the classic method is just to mix gin, sparkling water and fresh lime juice. Add some Chambord for a raspberry lime rickey or a dash of absinthe. Rhubarb syrup makes a rhubarb rickey. It is a nice change from a classic gin rickey cocktail.

A Tom Collins is a similar cocktail but it’s made with gin, lemon juice and sugar, as well as sparkling water. So it’s both sweeter and tarter than a gin rickey. Authentic rickey recipes don’t tend to have much or any sugar. The appeal is the tart flavour.

Any of those twists would make a tasty cocktail. Alternatively give this strawberry variation on a classic gin rickey a try! It’s so sweet, refreshing and easy to make.

If you are a fan of strawberries, you might like to read this comprehensive guide to strawberries and strawberry season.

Can I Use Frozen Strawberries?

Use fresh strawberries for this strawberry gin rickey cocktail if they’re in season. If not, just use frozen ones. The strawberries are for the syrup and will be simmered so it doesn’t matter so much.

Fresh strawberries make a pretty garnish for this lemon strawberry drink with basil. But you can just omit the strawberry garnish if you’re using frozen ones. You can also use mixed berries or raspberries for another variation on a classic gin rickey.

What Glass is Gin Rickey Served In?

This refreshing summer cocktail is typically served in a highball glass. You will need something more generous than a little 6-ounce glass or juice glass. This is because you will want to add a good splash of soda water to the cocktail. Choose an 8 to 12-ounce tumbler for this drink.

Highball glasses are a good investment because there are lots of drinks, both cocktails and soft drinks, that are perfect in there. Highballs are taller than lowballs and wider than Collins glasses. If you don’t have a set though, don’t worry. This lemon strawberry drink with basil will taste amazing in any large glasses!

Lemon Basil Strawberry Gin Rickey Recipe

I like to make a pitcher of this strawberry gin cocktail when my girlfriends come over. And maybe some tapas or little snacks as well. It’s great for warmer spring evenings and perfect for balmy summer nights. This is one of the most refreshing summer cocktail recipes I know! Try it and you will definitely agree!

Other Cocktail Recipes to Try

• Strawberry Cheesecake Rum Jello Pudding Shots
• Watermelon Gin Tonic with Cucumber Ribbons
• Easy Frozen Mint Julep Slushie
• Clementine Creamsicle Martini
• Raspberry Bourbon Smash Cocktail
• How to Make the Best Negroni