Well it’s that time off year again - yup Valentines Day!. Have you got everything sorted for your special other half? Flowers/pressie, special dinner in or out, yummy cocktail to start the evening? Well I’m here to help you out with the last item on that list. Sorry can’t help you the other items, you’re on your own for those!

This Strawberry Basil & Gin Cocktail is pure summer in a glass, and perfect for Valentines Day in the southern hemisphere. Not so great for northern hemisphere peeps, it’s probably still snowing and freezing cold in your neck of the woods. Maybe try this cocktail at another time of the year.

Your challenge on Valentines Day is to try and stop at just one cocktail. They’re very addictive so it would be easy to drink 2 - 3 cocktails, and forget about that yummy dinner you’ve got in the oven!

Enjoy!

STRAWBERRY BASIL & GIN COCKTAIL

INGREDIENTS

200 g (1 punnet) strawberries, sliced
¼ c granulated sugar
¼ c freshly squeezed lemon juice
8 basil leaves
160 ml gin
soda, chilled
crushed ice
strawberry flowers

METHOD

Put aside 4 small strawberries as a garnish. Core and slice the remaining strawberries, and place in a small bowl with the sugar. Let the strawberries sit in the fridge for 10 – 15 minutes to develop the flavour and juices.

Combine the strawberry/sugar mixture with the lemon juice, and puree in a blender till smooth. Strain the mixture into a bowl.

Thinly chop four basil leaves, and gently muddle to develop the basil flavor. Add the chopped basil to four glasses, add 5 – 6 tablespoons of the strawberry puree to each glass (add more or less depending on the size of your glasses). Add 40 ml of gin to each glass (or to taste), top with a little crushed ice then finish with a dash of soda. Give each drink a quick stir and add the reserved strawberries, sliced lengthways, a few more sliced basil leaves and strawberry flowers.

Serves 4