So much YES for this summery drink. So this is not the simplest recipe (check out the Maple Sour if you’re looking for a 3 ingredient stir and drink super-star) but it is every summery flavor I’ve been craving, all rolled into one perfectly balanced drink. Best to start making this drink as soon as your basil and blackberries are ripe, because you’ll want to drink it for as much of summer as possible!

Ingredients:

1 cup B&E’s Maple Syrup ( I like the added richness of the Bourbon Barrel line myself)
1/2 cup blackberries + a few for garnish
2 fresh lemons + a wheel for garnish
2 fresh limes
1/2 cup basil, lightly packed + a few sprigs for garnish
2 oz your favorite gin
3 oz soda water
ice

Directions:

First, cut your lemons and limes in half, and squeeze the juice into a bowl, mixing the two together to create a citrus blend.

Next comes the blackberry basil syrup. To make this, measure out 1/3 of a cup of citrus, and combine in a small saucepan with 1 cup maple syrup, black berries, and half the basil(1/4 cup). Bring up to a boil and cook simmer for 5 minutes, stirring and gently mashing the berries as they soften. After 5 minutes, take off heat and add remaining half of basil. Stir and gently mash the fresh basil until it is lightly wilted. Let cool, then strain with a colander or cheesecloth to remove seeds, skins and leaves.

In a highball, mason jar, (or in my case Grandma Bean’s old cocktail stemware) combine ice, 2 oz of remaining citrus blend, 2 oz blackberry basil syrup, 2 oz gin. Stir lightly, then add 2-3 oz soda water. Garnish using as much of your delicious bounty as you’d like, and savor on a hot day!

The remaining blackberry basil syrup can be stored in the refrigerator or freezer until you’re ready for your next round of cocktails.