Packed with fresh strawberries and basil, the Farmer’s Daughter Strawberry Basil Cocktail is a summertime favorite! Mix up a big batch or make them one at a time. Since I’m a farmer’s daughter myself, is it any wonder this strawberry cocktail is one of my favorites?
This Strawberry Basil Cocktail is next-level delicious
There’s nothing like a cool cocktail on a long summer night, right? Especially one that makes the best of summer produce. I love the combination of strawberries and basil – I’ll often toss them with some mixed greens and chicken for a quick lunch, and I add basil to my fruit salads in the summer. I usually make a double batch of the strawberry basil syrup and pop it in the fridge so I have plenty for cocktails and drizzling on waffles, ice cream or fruit too.
Why is this strawberry cocktail called "Farmer's Daughter"?
This truth is, this strawberry basil cocktail could also be called a "California Classic!" The Golden State produces roughly 88% of the nation's strawberries, and an even higher percentage of the nation's fresh herbs. We started calling this cocktail a Farmer's Daughter when we mixed it up during the summers in my early 20s, since it was made with fresh ingredients from our gardens and farms. It helps that many of my friends and I are the children of farmers, and at that point we weren't farming on our own yet.
Strawberries: when to pick is the name of the game.
Strawberries don't ripen after harvesting, so it's import to know when to pick the berries. Or how to pick ripe strawberries at the store or farmer's market.
A ripe strawberry is red all over - including the "shoulders" - which is the top section near the stem. Berries with bruising or blemishes will degrade faster, so you want strawberries that look intact. Even better if the have a bit of stem showing.
Knowing when to pick strawberries is also important. Harvesting in the early morning when temperatures are still cool makes for the best harvest.
Does vodka have gluten?
If you want to make certain your strawberry cocktail is gluten-free, here's the scoop. Plain vodka is gluten-free, even if it is made from grain that contain gluten, because the gluten protein is left behind in the distillation process. Flavored vodkas or vodka drinks may have gluten added, and should be reviewed.
More berry & basil cocktail recipes:
If you're loving fresh berry cocktails, this Boozy Lemonade Blueberry Cocktail should definitely be the next one you try. If basil is your thing, this Lemon Basil Margarita might be your new favorite.
I'd like to tell you I love tall my cocktail recipes equally, but this strawberry + basil drink truly has my heart.
Farmer's Daughter Strawberry Basil Cocktail Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 ounces Strawberry Basil Simple Syrup (recipe below)
- 1 ounces Vodka
- 1-2 tablespoons diced strawberries & fresh basil
- Club soda to fill
- strawberry slice and basil leaf for garnish
Strawberry Basil Syrup
- 2 cups water
- 4-6 strawberries, sliced
- 5-7 basil leaves
- 1 ½ cups sugar
Instructions
Make the syrup:
- In a small sauce pot add water and sugar and bring to boil. Add strawberries and basil, simmer for 10 minutes. Cool and strain.
Make the Farmer's Daughter cocktail:
- Fill a pint glass or mason jar with ice, add syrup, vodka, fruit and club soda, and give it a quick stir or two. Garnish the glass, pop in a straw, sip and savor.
Notes
Nutrition
photos by Katie Roletto from our days at Love With Food
Love this strawberry basil cocktail? Here's more strawberry basil recipes:
Strawberry Basil Sangria
Another fun Strawberry Basil Cocktail: this easy sangria from Veggie & the Beast!
Strawberry Basil Ice Cream
This incredible recipe for Strawberry Basil Ice Cream is courtesy of our favorite East Coast pastry chef, Cherry Tea Cakes! This sweet, creamy treat is loaded with fresh strawberry and basil flavors.
Alison's Strawberry Basil Paletas:
What are paletas, you might ask? Paletas are Mexican ice pops, usually made from pureed fruits. Alison's Fresh Strawberry Basil Paletas are a sure way to beat the heat and make the best of summer berries.
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