Y’all, I’m super stoked to be sharing this Strawberry Basil ‘Jito Cooler recipe with you guys! Want to know why? Because it took me DAYS to get the video edited. Yep, it took days to get a 1 minute and 11-second video edited because I tried 3 different programs that just wouldn’t work with my operating system. Well, I’m not sure if it’s my operating system or my 5-year-old laptop. (Y’all know that’s old for a computer so go ahead and laugh. LOL) Anyway, I finally found a video editing program that would work. Yay! And maybe Santa will come early and hook me up with a new laptop. A girl can dream. =) LOL
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Background Story on Strawberry Basil ‘Jito Cooler
Now let me tell you guys how I developed this freaking delicious drink! I ordered pho (Vietnamese noodle soup) to go one evening and had a large bunch of Thai basil leftover. The flavor of Thai basil is more similar to mint than basil with hints of licorice and cinnamon. I don’t like to see things go to waste so I started thinking of a way to use it so I opened my refrigerator door and saw strawberries staring right at me! I then opened my liquor cabinet and saw my bottle of Coconut Moscato that I purchased from HEB. If you don’t have a HEB grocery store near you try checking your local liquor store/wine shop or you can use regular Moscato or whatever flavor floats your boat. I wanted this drink to be really light and refreshing on the palate so I decided to lighten things up by adding sparkling water. I own a soda siphon so I can make fresh sparkling water whenever I please. If you don’t have a soda siphon or a Sodastream you can use club soda from the grocery store. The other supplies you will need for this drink is a knife, cutting board, glasses, and a muddler. You’re going to want to release all of the essential oils of the Thai basil and strawberry into the drink so that is where the muddler steps in. It’s very easy to use; you’ll need to use a twisting motion in your wrist and that’s it! Muddlers are used to make mojitos so that is why I named my drink Strawberry Basil ‘Jito Cooler!
I’m going to shut up now and let you guys get in the kitchen and try this out. Oh, here’s the video so you guys can see the process in action. It literally only takes less than 2 minutes to whip this together.
So you’re going to want to add this drink to your recipe arsenal for the backyard BBQ parties you will be having this summer! You can even let your guests make their own drink. The second time I made these drinks to record this video my aunt was at my house and wanted to try the drink but she is allergic to strawberries. I looked in the fridge and saw blackberries. I used the exact same steps and she fell in love with it! So feel free to have different fruits set out on the table for your guests to choose from.
If you love this recipe please share it with your family and friends. Do you have any flavor combinations you want to try with this recipe? Let me know in the comment section or let me know on social media by following me: Bloglovin’,Facebook , Instagram , Twitter and Snapchat (@merci_britte) to stay up-to-date. Also please subscribe to my YouTube channel because I will be adding more recipe and chat videos soon!
- 1 strawberry sliced
- 2/3 teaspoon raw cane sugar
- 5-6 Thai basil leaves
- 1/2 cup Coconut Moscato chilled
- 1/2 cup sparkling water chilled
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Add sliced strawberry to glass then add sugar and Thai basil leaves. Muddle together until juices are released, about 10 seconds.
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Next, add Coconut Moscato and sparkling water. Garnish glass with strawberry.
If desired, add a few cubes of ice.
Yum yum yum yum yum !!!! I really need to try this. Well done.
Thank you, Meiko! 🙂 Means a lot coming from you! Let me know what you think when you try it.
I really like it when people get together and share thoughts.
Great site, continue the good work
Thank you so much for the kind comment and for taking the time to drop by and view my blog! Check back soon, please. 🙂