Gary's garden has done me well in the cocktail category.
Here are two summer drinks that you can enjoy at your next party, pool day or dinner. My summer orchard on the rocks and strawberry mojito are easy to make, and the fruitiness will keep that smile on your face all day.
summer orchard on the rocks
Makes 1 cocktail
5-6 small basil leaves
1 tsp. sugar
1/4 peach, peeled and sliced
Juice of 1/2 lime
1/2 ounce simple syrup*
1 ounce rum
Crushed ice
1. Place basil and sugar in a cocktail shaker. Using a muddler, crush basil leaves and mash into sugar.
2. Add peach and crush.
3. Add lime juice, simple syrup, rum and ice. Place the top onto the shaker and shake it until sides feel chilly.
4. Strain into a glass with crushed ice and garnish with a basil leave. Voila!
*To make simple syrup, boil 1 part water and dissolve 1 part sugar. I used 1/2 cup of each and saved the rest. Make sure to chill in the freezer if you're making this at the last minute!
adapted from zestuous
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strawberry mojito
Makes 1 cocktail
1.5 ounces simple syrup
3 fresh strawberries, hulled
4-5 mint sprigs
Soda water
Juice of 1/2 lime
2 ounces light rum
1. In a chilled glass, muddle simple syrup, strawberries and mint leaves together. Crush the strawberries and mint well!
2. Squeeze juice from the lime into the glass, add the rum and stir well.
3. Fill glass with ice and top off with soda water. Garnish with mint sprigs or strawberry slices.
adapted from white on rice couple
