Lemon Basil Mojitos

Lemon Basil Mojitos | The ELL Blog

After what seems like weeks and weeks of endless rain, the sun has returned to San Diego and it’s starting to feel like summer! Okay, I know it’s only the middle of March, but I’m already getting excited for longer days and warm afternoons by the pool. Since the weather is giving me all the summer feels, it seemed like the right time to mix up some mojitos, one of my favorite warm weather cocktails. And when my momma gave me a bag full of sweet Meyer lemons this week, I knew I had to find a way to use them! This recipe for lemon basil mojitos swaps out basil for mint, which gives the cocktail a fresh spin when mixed with the sweet lemons. Don’t worry if you don’t have any Meyer lemons around, regular lemons work too (you just might want to toss in another sugar cube to balance out the tartness). This lemon basil pairing can also be used to make a yummy day time water infusion, too. Hope you enjoy!

On a side note, I recently picked up these vintage glasses at Hostess Haven’s sale in San Diego, and I couldn’t be happier! I’ve always loved her tabletop collection, and it was so exciting to be able to bring a few treasures home. I’m really loving the gold and teal combination in these!

Lemon Basil Mojitos (makes 2)

3 oz. Lemon juice

3 oz. White rum

10 Basil leaves

2 Sugar cubes

Sparkling water

Ice cubes

Place a sugar cube and half of the basil in each glass. Muddle well until the basil leaves have broken down with the sugar. Add rum and lemon juice, stir to combine. Fill glass with ice and top with sparkling water.

Note: For a stronger basil flavor, place the basil/lemon/rum mixture in the refrigerator for 15-30 minutes.

Mexican Kombucha Mule

Happy happy Friday! I am sure glad this week is coming to a close. Elliot graduates from grad school this weekend, and we are ready to celebrate!

In order to properly kick off the weekend, cocktails are definitely necessary. This week, I had the amazing pleasure of receiving an assortment of kombucha from Health-Ade, one of my favorite kombucha companies! When I saw the Ginger-Lemon flavor, I knew it would be perfect for a mexican kombucha mule. And since I didn’t want to make any regular mule, this one is made with tequila! I love that this mule is a little healthier than most too, since it has all of the benefits of the yummy kombucha. I can’t wait to show you some more of the fun things I do with the other flavors!

Mexican Kombucha Mule

1.5 oz. Silver Tequila

Juice from 1/2 lime

1/2 oz. Simple syrup

3-4 oz. Ginger Lemon Kombucha

Ice

Combine all ingredients in a copper mug. Stir + enjoy!

(Note: If you are a fan of mules that are a little heavier on the ginger spice side like I am, I recommend adding a splash of ginger beer at the end.)

Cheers!

Tropical Mojito

Happy first Friday of June! I am so happy that summer is on its way. Warm weather and tropical drinks sound wonderful to me.

This week’s cocktail was inspired by The Roc Shop’s brand new line of tropical cocktail accessories! If you haven’t been to the shop yet, you must check it out on Etsy. The new line is launching this Friday, and I’m obsessed! Palm trees, pineapples, and flamingos are everywhere, and I love it.

If you’re in the tropical spirit, then you will LOVE this mojito. It reminds me of one I used to get at The Rooftop Bar in Laguna. It’s pretty much summer perfection. Cheers!

Tropical Mojito

2 Lime wedges

2 Sugar cubes

2-3 Mango chunks

5-7 Mint leaves

2 oz. White rum

3 oz. Pineapple Juice

Club Soda

Ice

Muddle lime wedges, sugar cubes, mango, and mint leaves in a glass. Add rum and pineapple juice. Fill with ice and top off with club soda. Enjoy!

Hard Cherry Limeade

Yay for Friday! So, I’m getting a little tired of these gloomy San Diego mornings we tend to be having lately. I’m in the mood for summer weather, beach picnics, and poolside cocktails, but Mother Nature doesn’t seem to be on the same page. None the less, I’m still getting in the summertime spirit with sunny cocktails.

This week, I took a fun retro classic and turned it into a yummy Hard Cherry Limeade cocktail! These maraschino cherries are such a fun addition to the drink, especially since they turn it pink! If you aren’t in the mood to squeeze your own limes for the limeade, you can definitely substitute pre-made limeade or lime juice. This tart and fresh drink will be perfect to sip in the sunshine (hopefully sometime soon!)

Cherry Limeade (serves 1)

Juice of 1 lime

1 oz. Simple syrup

1.5 oz. Vodka

3 Maraschino cherries

1/2 oz. Maraschino cherry juice (from jar)

Club Soda

Ice

Mix lime juice, simple syrup, vodka, maraschino cherries and cherry juice in a glass. Add ice and fill the rest of the glass with club soda. Cheers!

Stone Fruit Spritzer

Happy Friday! I am so excited for summer to be here. I love the sunshine, picnics, and all of the yummy seasonal fruits. Stone fruits in particular are some of my favorites, and this week I spotted some fresh apricots on sale at my local market! This means that full blown stone fruit season is right around the corner, so this girl is pretty excited.

While at Target last week, I found a lovely little juice company called Wild Poppy, which is actually based right here in California. Their flavors are all unique and sounded like perfect cocktail starters, so I decided to give one a try. The Peach Vanilla flavor made the Stone Fruit Spritzer recipe perfect! Although this might not be a traditional spritzer, the bubbly & lightness of the drink made it fit in the category quite well. Swap out the vodka for bourbon and you have yourself another great cocktail too. I will definitely be making a few of these over the long weekend. You can even muddle a few for yourself at home and pack them up for a Memorial Day picnic!

Stone Fruit Spritzer (serves 1)

1/2 of an Apricot

1/2 oz. Simple syrup

1.5 oz. Vodka

3 oz. Wild Poppy Peach Vanilla

Lemon seltzer water

Ice

Muddle the apricot half and simple syrup together in a glass. Add vodka and Peach Vanilla juice, then add ice to the glass. Top off with seltzer water and stir.

Cheers!