Keeping Summer alive with this basil martini cocktail full of fresh herb flavors and tart lime!

Previously, Chrissy brought us some tangy pickled red onions. Now she is bringing a refreshing basil martini cocktail!
While everyone, including myself, is catching fall fever I have a bit of summer left to share in this refreshing cocktail.
I am not a successful gardener but herbs are the one thing I can grow well, and so I tend to grow an abundance.
Currently, there is still enough warmth in our South Georgia days to reward me with bunches of basil. I started from seed in April and with lots of pinching off the top leaves, I’ve had basil to use all summer.
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My husband grew a nice crop of tomatoes and we enjoyed loads of Caprese, made plenty of pesto and I even submerged the basil leaves in olive oil and froze in ice cube trays to use all year in sauces and soups.
But when I pinned a recipe for a Basil Gimlet I discovered a new way to use handfuls of my harvest.
Basil simple syrup!! Just heat equal parts sugar and water until dissolved and, off heat, add in a few cups of basil leaves, it’s all to taste so start with a cup of basil for each cup of sugar, let the basil infuse the syrup until cooled and store airtight for up to two weeks in the fridge.
You’ll love the combination of basil and black pepper with just a hint of sweetness served up in a chilled martini glass.
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If you love this recipe as much as I do, please write a five-star review in the comment section below (or on Pinterest with the “tried it” button – you can now add pictures into reviews, too!), and be sure to help me share on facebook!
MORE PARTY FOODS
- Dirty Martini Cheese Ball
- Basil Pesto Hummus
- Bacon Brie Basil Pizza Tarts
- Homemade Italian Seasoning
- Spicy Pretzel Nuggets

Basil Martini with Lime and Black Pepper
This light and refreshing cocktail will help you savor the last of your summer basil and spice things up with a hint of black pepper
Ingredients
Basil Simple Syrup:
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup water
- 1 cup fresh basil leaves (washed)
Basil Martini:
- 4 oz vodka
- 4 oz basil simple syrup
- 4 oz fresh lime juice
- Ice cubes
- Fresh basil leaves
- Freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
Basil Simple Syrup:
- Combine the sugar and water in saucepan and heat until sugar dissolves.
- Remove from heat and add basil leaves.
- Let stand until room temperature, transfer to airtight container and store in the fridge for up to two weeks.
Basil Martini:
- Fill martini glasses with ice and water to chill.
- Pour out ice and water.
- Shake first three ingredients in a cocktail shaker, strain into empty, chilled martini glasses.
- Add one to two turns of freshly ground black pepper and a basil leaf for garnish.
Notes
*If you like this recipe, please leave me a comment and rate it with some stars. Thank you!
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 2 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 840Total Fat: 1gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 0gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 12mgCarbohydrates: 183gFiber: 2gSugar: 176gProtein: 3g
This nutrition information was generated via a third party, Nutritionix, and can not be held liable for any discrepancies in the information provided.
Recipe inspired by Modern Wifestyle.
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Rohan Singh
Thursday 3rd of March 2016
Good guest post by Chrissy :). We have basil herbs in our garden, and lime too, just need to get black pepper for recipe. So healthy to taste it, need to add less sugar to make more healthy. My mom used to give me honey, basil and a black ingredient (don't remember the name) when I was suffering from fever , it worked like medicine :) (it was holy basil, I think).
chubcheeks@bellsouth.net
Thursday 3rd of March 2016
I love when she visits because she has the BEST ideas!! She is the person I steal all my fresh basil and mint from since I can't keep them alive at my house. Thanks for reading and if you remember that black ingredient I would love to know what it was!
Christine
Sunday 4th of October 2015
The basil and the pepper! Dying for one of these. Sorry it took me so long to get over here. Dog be kickin' my butt.
chubcheeks@bellsouth.net
Tuesday 6th of October 2015
Sounds like your pup can use a cocktail too!
Lindsay
Monday 28th of September 2015
It's 9am on a Monday and I really want to make this cocktail! Is that bad???? :) Looks soooo yummy!
chubcheeks@bellsouth.net
Monday 28th of September 2015
It's 5 o'clock somewhere. If I could drink and get my work done I'd be drinking a bloody mary at 7 am!
Joy @ Joy Love Food
Wednesday 23rd of September 2015
I love using fresh herbs in cocktails, this martini sounds wonderful!
Michelle @ Giraffes Can Bake
Wednesday 23rd of September 2015
Wow!I love this! I love strawberry and black pepper, but not tried lime and black pepper before, it sounds awesome! And with basil? amazing!
chubcheeks@bellsouth.net
Monday 28th of September 2015
Thanks Michelle! I love strawberries and black pepper too. Also balsamic! Lime and black pepper is just as good:)