Here in North Carolina it might be late September but we’re still hitting temps in the 90’s. As much as I want to jump on the fall flavor train, I still prefer a cold fruity cocktail when it’s hot outside.
When it comes to cocktails, I definitely go for the more tart flavored drinks with herb accents vs. sweet and sugary. When a cocktail is too sweet it starts to take on the cough-syrup vibe and I get flashbacks to my childhood when my parent’s answer for every sickness was Dimetapp. That’s why I love this cocktail, because you get the sweetness from the strawberry but it’s balanced out by the basil herb flavor and the hit of ginger beer.
My liquor of choice has always been vodka. Mostly because it blends and hides well! I like to taste the flavor of the drink more than the flavor of the liquor. I recently got hooked on Covington Vodka and I can honestly say it’s become my new favorite.
Covington Vodka is a spirit made from sweet potatoes grown in Eastern North Carolina. Did you know NC is the biggest exporter or sweet potatoes in the country? Covington grows, harvests, and distributes sweet potatoes to dinner tables all over the world and have now crafted a gourmet vodka with them. I think this is so creative and really speaks to North Carolina’s excellent farming and agriculture community!
I was thrilled when Covington gave me some of their vodka to craft recipes with! If you’d like to check them out, Covington is sold at North Carolina ABC stores all over the state, you can request it at bars, or visit their website – here’s the link:
Besides the drink ingredients, all you need is a muddler to break up the strawberry and a jigger to measure out everything.
I start by putting the strawberry, basil, and lime juice in the bottom of the cup. Then I use my muddler to mash everything into bits so it will disperse and the flavor will be absorbed within the drink. Then all you have to do is pour in the vodka, add ice, and top off with ginger beer and a quick stir.
This drink is ready in minutes and couldn’t be much easier! It screams summer and isn’t too sweet. It’s ideal for guests because it’s not too girly or too manly. Try out this recipe and let me know how you like it!
Strawberry Basil Mule
Ingredients
- 4 small strawberries, capped and quartered
- 5 fresh basil leaves, chopped
- 1/2 oz lime juice
- 1 1/2 oz Covington Vodka
- ice
- 1/2 cup (or more) ginger beer
Instructions
- Place the strawberries, basil, and lime juice the bottom of the glass. Use a muddler to mash everything until no large chunks are visible.
- Add vodka, ice, and fill the rest of the glass with ginger beer. Depending on the size of your glass this could be 1/2 cup to 1 cup.
- Quickly and gently stir the drink and serve garnished with a strawberry or basil sprig.
