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    Home / Recipes / Ingredient / Alcohol

    4 Jul 30, 2013 Alcohol  |   Jump to Recipe

    Summer Crush

    Summer Crush

    This post may contain affiliate links.

    Made with heirloom tomato, basil, watermelon, vodka and lime, Summer Crush is the type of cocktail you could easily enjoy after a day spent at the beach.  When you’re feeling a bit parched from being in the sun all day.  After you’ve casually dropped your beach bag on the floor, but before you jump in the shower to wash away the surf and sand.  Sweet, tart, and incredibly refreshing, Summer Crush is a muddled mix of the best summer produce.  And vodka of course.

    To make this drink, you’ll first need to prepare a sweet basil syrup.  I’d recommend getting this done in advance and storing in the refrigerator.  With the syrup prepared, this drink comes together in a matter of moments!  Next muddle sweet basil syrup, heirloom tomato, Thai basil and watermelon in the base of a cocktail shaker until the fruit releases its gloriously flavored juice and the basil its oils.  I use both sweet and Thai basil for this drink to add some depth of flavor; however, you could certainly use all sweet basil if Thai isn’t available.  Finally, shake in some vodka and lime juice to balance out the flavors.  The finished cocktail is summer incarnate.  Continue reading for the recipe.

    Watermelon, Tomato and Basil

    Muddling Tomato and Watermelon

    Summer Crush

    Summer Crush

    by Brandon Matzek
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Servings 1 cocktail

    Ingredients
      

    For the sweet basil syrup:

    • 1/2 cup sugar
    • 1/2 cup water
    • Handful of fresh basil leaves

    For the cocktail:

    • 1/2 oz. sweet basil syrup
    • 1 small sprig Thai basil, about 6 or 7 leaves
    • 1/2 small heirloom tomato, preferably red
    • 3/4 cup watermelon chunks
    • 2 oz. vodka
    • Juice of 1/4 lime, plus an additional wedge to garnish
    • Ice

    Instructions
     

    • To make the sweet basil syrup, add sugar, water and regular basil to a small saucepan, and warm over medium heat. Bring mixture to a boil, stirring until the sugar dissolves. Take the saucepan off the heat, cover and let infuse/cool for 30 minutes. Pour the syrup through a strainer into a clean container. Store the sweet basil syrup in the refrigerator for up to a month or two.
    • To make the Summer Crush cocktail, add sweet basil syrup to a cocktail shaker with the Thai basil, heirloom tomato and watermelon. Using a muddler (or the back of a wooden spoon), muddle these ingredients together. You want to bruise the basil, and release the juices from the tomato and watermelon.
    • Add vodka, lime juice and ice to the cocktail shaker, secure the lid, and shake until the drink is mixed and well-chilled. Taste a little bit of the drink, and add more sweet basil syrup or lime juice to taste. Pour the drink through a fine-mesh basket strainer into a short tumbler filled with ice. Discard solids. Garnish the glass with a wedge of lime.
    Tried this recipe?Tag @brandiego on Instagram so I can check it out!

    Related recipes and articles:

    Summer Cocktails

    Watermelon Champagne Cocktail

    Watermelon Cooler

    Watermelon Basil Agua Fresca

    Chili Lime Cucumber Noodles on Salted Watermelon w/ Mint + Basil

    4
    Brandon and Federico
    Brandon

    I’m Brandon: food explorer, recipe curator, cocktail shaker, dessert lover. Kitchen Konfidence is how I document my time spent in my favorite space, the kitchen. Did you make a recipe? Tag @brandiego on Instagram so I can see the how it went!

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    Categories: Alcohol Tags: basil, lime, sugar, thai basil, tomato, vodka, watermelon

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Ash- foodfashionparty says

      July 30, 2013 at 10:08 am

      The basil syrup, the drink everything is so perfect for a hot summer day.

      Reply
      • Brandon Matzek says

        July 30, 2013 at 10:39 am

        Thanks Ash!

        Reply
    2. Josh Sullivan says

      July 30, 2013 at 4:02 pm

      Add a couple dashes of balsamic vinegar for fun! 😉

      Reply
      • Brandon Matzek says

        July 30, 2013 at 6:15 pm

        Excellent suggestion Josh 🙂 Thanks!

        Reply
    3. Putputt @ Putputt Eats says

      July 31, 2013 at 4:52 am

      The weather’s actually taken a turn for the worse here in England. It’s cloudy and rainy and miserable. But this looks SO yummy I’m still going to make it over the weekend I think!

      Reply
      • Brandon Matzek says

        July 31, 2013 at 3:09 pm

        Oh no! Sorry to hear about the rain. Well this cocktail will definitely cheer things up 🙂

        Reply
    4. najwa kronfel says

      July 31, 2013 at 2:58 pm

      And I have a crush on this cocktail, it sounds really good!

      Reply
      • Brandon Matzek says

        July 31, 2013 at 3:10 pm

        Thanks so much Najwa!

        Reply
    5. Kiran @ KiranTarun.com says

      July 31, 2013 at 7:03 pm

      Love that you used thai basil in this — so refreshing!!

      Reply
      • Brandon Matzek says

        August 1, 2013 at 11:31 am

        Thanks! I have easy access to Thai basil now so I’ve been trying to work it into my cooking a bit more. Love it!

        Reply
    6. laurasmess says

      August 1, 2013 at 9:49 pm

      Loving your cocktail recipes Brandon. This one looks amazingly fresh, vibrant and Summery (hence the name!). I can’t wait to make the basil syrup, I can imagine a million different uses for it! Thanks

      Reply
      • Brandon Matzek says

        August 3, 2013 at 4:28 pm

        Thanks Laura! The basil syrup is super tasty. I had some in iced tea today. I’m thinking it might be good to drizzle over pound cake!

        Reply
    7. sippitysup says

      August 3, 2013 at 3:05 pm

      It’s a savory cocktail for sure! GREG

      Reply
      • Brandon Matzek says

        August 3, 2013 at 4:29 pm

        Yes!! Looking forward to checking out your book when it arrives 🙂

        Reply
    8. Asmita says

      August 3, 2013 at 4:32 pm

      Gorgeous especially with the basil in there!

      Reply
      • Brandon Matzek says

        August 3, 2013 at 4:36 pm

        Thanks Asmita!

        Reply
    9. Pamela @ Brooklyn Farm Girl says

      August 4, 2013 at 8:02 pm

      You are my garden friend without even knowing it! Every time I have a harvest and am looking for new ideas (this time watermelon) your blog solves it! Thanks!

      Reply
    10. Lee says

      September 9, 2014 at 9:03 pm

      Your summer crush cocktail are most welcome in Malaysia!
      Gonna try it on the weekend!

      Reply

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    Brandon and Federico

    I'm Brandon: food explorer, recipe curator, cocktail shaker, dessert lover. Kitchen Konfidence is how I document my time spent in my favorite space, the kitchen. Read More…


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