Blueberry Basil Vodka Tonic
Blueberry Basil Vodka Tonic

There aren’t nearly enough cocktail recipes on my blog. I love creating yummy cocktails, and I think it’s high time that my blog reflects my love of libations.

We went blueberry picking early this week and nabbed a couple of gallons of juicy, sweet, and flavorful berries. These berries are so much more flavorful than anything I’ve ever had from the store! It’s like an entirely different fruit. And they are absolutely wonderful in this cool and crisp summer cocktail!

Blueberries

I drink a lot of gin and tonics throughout the summer (my cocktail of choice), but I’ve just recently gotten into vodka tonics. The great thing about vodka is its lack of flavorโ€”it is perfect for using as a base to add in other flavors.

I drink a gin and tonic when I want something simple and classic. I drink a vodka tonic when I want to add all kinds of crazy fun flavors (like, ahem, blueberries and basil).

Blueberry Basil Vodka Tonic

Just make sure to use good vodka. Seriously, leave behind the bottom-shelf handle you used to binge drink in college (ahem, not me, no, never). Pay for some stuff from the top shelfโ€”you won’t be sorry. Better quality vodka really lets the flavor of the blueberries and sweet basil shine through.

Poor quality vodka tastes likeย booze. Good quality vodka tastes like almost nothing. We’re lucky enough to have an amazing distillery about 10 minutes away from our house that uses local corn to make their vodka. It is gooooodddd stuff!

Blueberry Basil Vodka Tonic

I’ve been focusing so much on our blueberry haul, that I haven’t talked to about our basil! Holy cow, our basil plants are beautiful this year. Lush, green, and packed full of flavor. We plant a ton of basil every year because it is a wonderful companion plant in the garden (it helps improve the flavor of tomatoes when planted nearby), and it’s so easy to preserve for the winterโ€”we just freeze it in cubes after pureeing it in the food processor.

I pick a handful of basil almost everyday to throw into whatever we are having for dinnerโ€”there is pretty much nothing that basil doesn’t go with. I know when you think “basil” you don’t automatically think “sweet,” but it’s such a wonderful combination. Basil and chocolate are amazing together. And basil with sweet fruit? Incredible! It’s a wonderfully strange pairing.

Blueberry Basil Vodka Tonic

If you aren’t into the hooch as much as I am, you can easily make this non-alcoholic, and it’ll still taste delicious. Just leave out the vodka, and enjoy!

Blueberry-Basil Vodka Tonic

Blueberry-Basil Vodka Tonic

Yield: 4 cocktails
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 10 minutes

This Blueberry Basil Vodka Tonic is a summer cocktail that uses the best flavors of the season! You can even skip the vodka and still have a tasty mocktail.

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 1/3 cup fresh blueberries, plus extra for garnish
  • 4 large basil leaves, plus extra for garnish
  • Ice
  • Vodka
  • Tonic Water

Instructions

  1. Combine the sugar, water, blueberries, and basil leaves in a small saucepan over medium heat. Bring to a boil, stirring frequently, and continue to boil until the blueberries have popped and the sugar is dissolved, about 2 minutes.
  2. Remove from heat, transfer to a heat-proof container, and then chill until cold.
  3. To make cocktails: fill a high ball glass (or a pint Mason jar!) with ice, add in two tablespoons of the blueberry-basil syrup, followed by 1 1/2 ounces of vodka. Fill to top with tonic water. Garnish with extra blueberries and basil leaves, if desired.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 4 Serving Size: 1 cocktail
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 157Total Fat: 0gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 0gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 12mgCarbohydrates: 34gFiber: 0gSugar: 34gProtein: 0g

At Wholefully, we believe that good nutrition is about much more than just the numbers on the nutrition facts panel. Please use the above information as only a small part of what helps you decide what foods are nourishing for you.

FYI: This will be my last post for a few weeks. No worries, though! I’m just taking some much needed R&R time with my friends and family.ย I have SO many fun ideas that I want to implement in the next few months, and I can’t wait to come at them with a fresh perspective once my vacation is over. In the mean time, you can keep up with me on social mediaย (I can’t quit you, Instagram). As always, thank you so much for being the best internet friends a gal could have. <3 See you in August!

Blueberry Basil Vodka Tonic

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17 Comments

  1. I just love trying new cocktails when I travel, although I try to make them at home, it’s not easy to replicate the taste, but still, I try following the recipe. By the way, thanks for this recipe. Trying this weekend.

  2. hi,
    wow looks soo yummmii i loving it.Much obliged for offering this to us! i want to eat all these.
    Regards
    Matt

  3. Hi
    wow.. this looks very yummmi.. Gin and tonic is my favorite too!
    Regards
    Neeraj Sharma

  4. Hi,

    Mhmmmm, this looks super yummy! Much obliged for offering this to us!

    Have funnnn in Canada! You merit some excursion!
    ๐Ÿ™‚

  5. Great workโ€โ€ “BLUEBERRY BASIL VODKA TONIC” Is it unusual that I need to figure out how to get you a container of the St. Augustine Distillery’s Sugar Cane Vodka? It’s my nearby refineryโ€ฆ and truly sort of mind blowing. They have a super magnificent bar and ranch to table eatery connected, and utilize their vodka for a KILLER Florida Mule (minor departure from a Moscow Mule).