Refreshing Basil Cucumber Mojito + More Summer Drinks

You’ll love this basil cucumber mojito recipe, plus 6 other refreshing and delicious drink ideas just in time for May Long Weekend!

May Long Weekend is finally here! For me, it’s all about outdoor dining, evenings around the fire and catching up with friends. For my US friends, you’ll have to wait a bit longer for Memorial Day.

I LOVE warm, make that hot weather, and can’t wait for the days when a cool beverage is a must. Today, I’m sharing one of my favourite refreshing cocktails, a basil cucumber mojito.

Stick around and you’ll also find the links to a few of my Canadian blogger friends’ top summer drink recipes too!

Now for this delicious summer drink recipe…

How to Make a Basil Cucumber Mojito

(printable version below)

Ingredients:

• 6-8 fresh basil leaves (plus more for garnish)
• 1 lime (half juiced and half cut into wedges)
• English cucumber (1″ thick slice cut in half plus 3 thin slices)
• 1 TB. honey simple syrup (*see below)
• 1 shot white rum (or vodka)
• Soda water

Directions:

1. In a sturdy glass or jar, add basil leaves, lime juice, lime wedges, thick slices of cucumber, honey simple syrup and rum. With a muddler or wooden spoon, work to combine flavours (until the basil leaves and cucumber start to break down).
2. Fill glass half way (or a bit more) with ice. Add the thin cucumber slices and top with soda water. Garnish with a basil leaf.

*For the honey simple syrup, combine equal parts honey and water (say ½ cup honey and ½ cup water) in a saucepan. Stir over medium heat until the honey dissolves. Remove from heat and let cool completely before using. Store in an airtight container or jar in the fridge. Works great for sweetening iced tea and other summer drinks too!

This drink is my summer-go-to without the alcohol. I like to try different variations, sometimes substituting the basil with mint and the cucumber with berries. It really depends what I have more of in my garden at the time. Do you grow mint?

It’s a delicious low-calorie, low-carb drink.

You could also whip up a pitcher for a larger group. Simply increase the ingredient measurements and follow the same instructions.

Print

Refreshing Basil Cucumber Mojito

A refreshing and delicious take on the classic mojito with cucumbers and basil.

Course Drinks

Servings 1

Ingredients

• 6-8 fresh basil leaves plus more for garnish
• 1 lime half juiced and half cut into wedges
• English cucumber 1" thick slice cut in half plus 3 thin slices
• 1 TB. honey simple syrup *see below
• 1 shot white rum or vodka
• Soda water

Instructions

1. In a sturdy glass or jar, add basil leaves, lime juice, lime wedges, thick slices of cucumber, honey simple syrup and rum. With a muddler or wooden spoon, work to combine flavors (until the basil leaves and cucumber start to break down).
2. Fill glass half way (or a bit more) with ice. Add the thin cucumber slices and top with soda water. Garnish with a basil leaf.
3. *For the honey simple syrup, combine equal parts honey and water (say 1/2 cup honey and 1/2 cup water) in a saucepan. Stir over medium heat until the honey dissolves. Remove from heat and let cool completely before using. Store in an airtight container or jar in the fridge. Works great for sweetening iced tea and other summer drinks too!

Now for More Summer Drinks!

Check out the amazing cocktails and mocktails created by some of my favourite Canadian bloggers!

From left to right, they are:

Sweet Tart Martini by Suburble
Pink Grapefruit and Apricot Martini by Craftberry Bush
Basil Cucumber Mojito by Satori Design For Living (that’s me!)
The Classic Caesar by Fynes Designs
Frozen Strawberry Cocktails by Clean and Scentsible
Basil Watermelon Lemonade by Echoes of Laughter
Easy and Delicious Flavoured Waters by A Pretty Life in the Suburbs

Which recipe will you try first?

I also have these delicious summer cocktail ideas…

Rosemary Grapefruit Spritzer

Pimm’s Cocktail Jug

Lavender Blackberry Sparkling Lemonade

Bourbon Mint Lemonade Cocktail

Fresh Herb Summer Cocktails

And, if you’re hosting or getting together with friends, you may want to check out these May Long Weekend ideas too.

Happy Victoria Day!