Happy Hour: Strawberry-Basil Cocktail

It's hot hot hot in central Texas and there is nothing more refreshing than a cool cocktail sipped on your own back porch.  This little gem of a drink has just FOUR ingredients and is just as easy to make in a large batch as it is to make single-serve.  Get out your muddlers y'all!

See that y'all I threw in up there?  I'm embracing my inner Texan.  If you can't beat em...



Ingredients:
3 medium strawberries, sliced
2 large basil leaves
1.5 oz bourbon
Sparkling beverage of choice (I used sparkling lemonade)
Ice

1.  In your glass, muddle together the berries and basil.  There is no wrong way to do this.

2.  Add the bourbon.  If you prefer to make it a heavier pour, go right ahead.  Top with ice and stir will with a bar spoon (you know...that long swirly lookin' one).

3.  Fill the rest of your glass with your sparkling beverage of choice.  It can be soda water, ginger ale, lemon lime soda, or if you're like me...sugar free sparkling lemonade.  If you want to get fancy, garnish with an extra strawberry and a sprig of basil.  It's freakin' delicious so drink up!

Happy Hour: Gully Wash

The actual drink I enjoyed on our honeymoon!

Every once and I while, I love a really good cocktail.  Or two.  Or...you know what, I'm gonna stop right there.  ANYway...you may remember my first cocktail post: The Caipirinha.  I have really grown to hate boring cocktails...no more vodka cranberry for me!  I am LOVING international cocktails!  When you've found a cocktail that the whole country loves, you know it's gotta be good.  The hubby and I honeymooned in the Bahamas about a month ago and I got to try the local specialty: Gully Wash.  On the island, they offer it in a coconut, which really got my attention... I'm a sucker for presentation. They use fresh coconut in the drink as well... fresh is always the best! When we got home, I looked up the recipe and its fairly simple. I'll share the traditional recipe and then my own lower-carb version. Both are delicious!

Traditional Gully Wash
2 oz. Gin
2 oz. Coconut water
4 oz. Sweetened condensed milk

Sprinkle of cinnamon

Ice

Lower-carb Gully Wash
1 cup coconut milk
1.5 oz gin
3 scoops Splenda, more or less to taste
Sprinkle of cinnamon
Ice

Fill your shaker with ice. Add all ingredients. Secure top of shaker and shake until well mix... But don't go to crazy or you'll water down your cocktail!
Strain into glass. Enjoy responsibly!