This time of the year I never really know what to drink.  It is still pretty hot here in Texas but you can feel Fall on the edge of each breeze, so it is time to start switching out my pantry to fall finds.  I know, I know it is still early and I’m not in the mood just yet for cider infused drinks and if I look at another margarita I will puke.  Sooooo, what do you drink?  I usually just stick to red wine during this transition of the seasons but sometimes I want a cocktail.  The basil I’m growing in my back yard has turned into a tree and I have been cutting off limbs to give to people because I have so much of it.  I love Basil anytime of the year and felt that maybe a cocktail that was a little more savory than sweet might be perfect for the cold front we are experiencing.  (when I say cold front I mean 92 degrees)  So I dashed out to my back yard to experiment with the absorbent amount of basil I have in my garden.  This is what I came up with!

Makes 1 drink:

3 basil leaves

juice of half a lemon

1/4 cup of crushed watermelon

1 oz vodka

2 oz tonic water

crushed ice

In a tumbler muddle together the lemon, crushed up watermelon, and basil.  Muddling helps to release the basil flavor with out getting tiny pieces of basil in your drinks.  I like to muddle the lemon with the basil to blend their flavors really well.  Add the vodka and tonic water to the tumbler with a few cubes of ice.  Shake the drink well and then strain over crushed iced ice in a glass.  Garnish with a small basil leaf.

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