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(This article was originally published on August 11, 2022 and was last updated on August 11, 2022)
This blueberry vodka lemonade cocktail combines three summer fresh ingredients – fresh basil leaves, blueberries and lemons – in one refreshing drink, perfect for a hot summer day or evening.
Using fresh ingredients (Fresh basil! Fresh blueberries! Fresh lemon! Oh My!) as well as a homemade basil blueberry vodka infusion and homemade lemon basil simple syrup, this basil and blueberry lemonade cocktail is packed with flavor, making it the perfect summer cocktail!
Start with Homemade Flavor
I made this recipe with homemade blueberry and basil infused vodka, and homemade basil lemon simple syrup.
Both are dead easy to make, but it will require a bit of pre-planning.
While the simple syrup can be whipped up in 15 minutes with just a few ingredients, the infused vodka takes 3 to 7 days to steep.
If you have some summer entertaining coming up, I highly recommend making a few vodka basil infusions in advance to mix into your summer cocktail recipes!
If you want to try this recipe without making homemade infused vodka, plain vodka will do the trick. Personally, I’d add a few more basil leaves and blueberries into the mix to max out on basil blueberry flavor.
Don’t Skip the Homemade Simple Syrup
This blueberry vodka lemonade gets its lemon flavor from fresh squeezed lemon juice and homemade lemon basil simple syrup, not store bought lemonade. This means you really shouldn’t skip making the simple syrup, as it adds a lot of the lemon flavor, and allows you to control how much sugar is in the drink.
The good news? The simple syrup is super simple, and takes less than 15 minutes, with 3 ingredients, plus water.
Another variation on this blueberry vodka lemonade recipe is to use blueberry simple syrup, but I love the fresh and herbaceous taste of this basil-lemon syrup, and am sticking to it!
Fresh Blueberries or Frozen?
If you don’t have fresh blueberries, you can absolutely substitute frozen – heck, the cold blueberries might even make an even more refreshing cocktail for a hot summer night!
Can you Muddle Frozen Blueberries?
Yes, you can muddle frozen blueberries, so if you’d prefer to use frozen blueberries instead of fresh blueberries for this recipe, go for it.
That said, you’ll have better luck if you have an actual muddler (instead of a wooden spoon, as described further down in the post) or if you take the blueberries out of the freezer 15 to 30 minutes ahead of time, giving them a bit of time to thaw before muddling.
Ingredients for this Basil and Blueberry Vodka Lemonade Cocktail
- Ice cubes
- 1.5 ounces infused basil blueberry flavored vodka (1 shot)
- 1 tablespoon lemon basil simple syrup
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 1/4 fresh blueberries
- 3 to 5 large sweet basil leaves, plus basil for garnish (I used spicy bush basil to garnish and sweet basil for the drink itself)
- Soda water
- Lemon slices for garnish
The Secret to Fresh Squeezed Lemon Juice
I’ve long tried to hand-squeeze my citrus to get fresh lemon juice, but recently gave in and bought a citrus juicer.
Friends, it is so much easier, and you get so much more juice from a single lemon! 10/10 would recommend.
Instructions for this Boozy Basil Blueberry Vodka Lemonade
In a cocktail shaker, add 1 tablespoon lemon basil simple syrup, 1/4 fresh blueberries, and 3 to 5 basil leaves (washed, stems removed, and hand torn). Muddle
Add 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice (about 1/2 a large lemon, if using a hand juicer like I did)
Add ice and 1.5 ounces blueberry basil vodka infusion.
Shake to chill.
Strain cocktail shaker into a cocktail or martini glass, and top with sparkling water (I use Soda Stream water without flavoring)
Garnish with a few fresh blueberries, a basil sprig (I used spicy globe basil, which is a great cocktail garnish) and a lemon wedge.
Enjoy.
How do you Muddle Blueberries Without a Muddler?
I don’t have a muddler, and used a wooden spoon to muddle the fresh basil and blueberries. You can either use the spoon end or the handle. The important thing is to press the basil and berries down at the bottom of the cocktail shaker, and twist a bit. You want to muddle them a bit – so the flavor of the blueberries and basil are released into the drink, without making them into a pulpy mush.
Basil and Blueberry Vodka Lemonade Cocktail
Sweet, tart, and herbaceous, this basil and blueberry vodka lemonade combines some summertime favorite ingredients. Great for a hot night at home, or entertaining your friends.
Ingredients
- Ice cubes
- 1.5 ounces infused basil blueberry flavored vodka (1 shot)
- 1 tablespoon lemon basil simple syrup
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 1/4 cup fresh blueberries
- 3 to 5 large sweet basil leaves, plus basil for garnish
- Soda water
- Lemon wedge for garnish
Instructions
- In a cocktail shaker, add 1 tablespoon lemon basil simple syrup, 1/4 fresh blueberries, and 3 to 5 basil leaves (washed, stems removed, and hand torn). Muddle
- Add 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice (about 1/2 a large lemon, if using a hand juicer like I did)
- Add ice and 1.5 ounces blueberry basil vodka infusion.
- Shake to chill.
- Strain cocktail shaker into a cocktail or martini glass, and top with sparkling water (I use Soda Stream water without flavoring)
- Garnish with a few fresh blueberries, a basil sprig, and a lemon wedge.
- Enjoy.
Kathleen is on a weird mission to taste all of the world’s basil, and shares her experiences cooking with and growing basil as she goes.