Cucumber Cocktail with Basil

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I don't know why vodka recipes seem so perfect for warmer weather but they are my go-to cocktails when temperatures heat up. Vodka is versatile and pairs really well with all kinds of flavors. Warm days beg for something extra refreshing and this Cucumber Cocktail with Basil is just that! 

A while ago I was on a big basil kick and was adding it to everything. Including cocktails. Fresh herbs are a great way to add a ton of flavor. And they smell AMAZING! I think you'll really like this easy drink idea.
I was sent a bottle of American Harvest Vodka to create this cocktail with. 

Um, yeah. Cucumber. Lime. Basil. Each of those things screams refreshing to me. Put them together in a cocktail and, of course, you aren't going to hate it. This easy Cucumber Cocktail with basil and vodka is pretty much guilt free. But let me tell you a funny story really quickly. 

Sometimes brands send me alcohol to use in posts. Just like American Harvest did. But most of the time I already have an idea for something I want to make with it. The bottle arrived with a little recipe booklet and I flipped through it curious to see what was included. Each cocktail sounded more delicious than the last. And then I came across this Cucumber Basil drink idea.

I sliced up the cucumbers, quartered the limes and got almost through the entire recipe before I realized…This drink is pretty much straight vodka.

Like, there is a little bit of lime juice and a tiny bit of cucumber juice from the muddling but it's pretty much a big old cup of icy cold vodka. (I recently figured out that this is really close to my recipe for a Cucumber Gimlet). 

I'm a total lightweight. I prefer something that has a large ratio of mixer to alcohol like most Moscow Mules recipes. So I was super concerned that I would not like it and be drunk just from one sip. 

I am happy to report that while the cocktail was definitely on the stronger side (again, the whole thing is pretty much vodka) the taste was fantastic! The basil, cucumber and lime took the edge off but the real star is the American Harvest Vodka. For real.

I wouldn't just say that since they sent me a bottle of vodka.

I could totally see drinking these throughout the summer. Like, really slowly. Over several hours. With lots of food in my stomach. And a baby sitter for the kids. And some Drinkwel. But I have heard that organic vodkas are not as likely to induce a hangover…

Printable Recipe for Cucumber Basil Cocktail

What I loved most about this cucumber cocktail is that the flavors are so crisp and clean. The ice made this super easy to sip and the fragrance from the basil and cucumber made it really enjoyable from start to finish. It goes to show that with the right brand of spirit, you might like something you were never a huge fan of before.

This has also happened with me and whiskey.

More summer cocktails to try:

• Wine Cocktails to Make all Summer Long
• This Cucumber Margarita is Stupid Good
• This Rum Punch is perfect for All your Parties

Pin this Cucumber Basil Cocktail for Later

I love a good cucumber cocktail, don't you? You're going to want to make this. But do it responsibly! This will knock you on your buns if you aren't careful!