Watermelon Basil Gin Cocktail

This is the first of many posts we’ll categorize as “Cocktails with Lieutenant Dan” and we’re starting with a real doozy, a Watermelon Basil Gin Cocktail.

Lieutenant Dan is my husband.

No, he’s not in the military, but his name is Dan. He got the nickname Lt. Dan somewhere around July 1994, but I can’t exactly remember why.

Fortunately, he’s a keeper. We go together like peas and carrots.

There’s nothing hotter than a man who washes dishes, makes linguini from scratch, and shakes a mean martini.

So with that in mind, I give you Lt. Dan…

I love to eat.

This is a good thing considering I have a recipe developer, chef and blogger queen as my wife. In many ways our lives revolve around food –food for sustenance, entertainment, community and family. Many of our family vacations revolve around what restaurants to try or what regional cuisine is in season. Food is a major part of our life. But if I am being completely honest, as much as I love to eat… I really, really love to drink.

In that way the wife and I are different. We often say she likes to eat her calories and I like to drink them (which is why we both have to work out all the time).

Do I have the exquisite appetizer or martini? My answer – gin or vodka. Do I go with the chocolate cake or a single malt? Survey says – 18 year Dalwhinnie. How about a thick cut ribeye or robust California Cab? You know the answer… Actually I would rather not have to choose in that situation and have both instead! Anyways, you get the point.

So with that in mind, I have agreed to embark on a once a month post entitled “Cocktails with Lieutenant Dan.” (I know, I know – super cheesy name, but doesn’t hearing Forrest say Lieutenant Dayyan make you smile). I will share classics which I learned from my Great Grandmother and grandmother (where I learned to appreciate cocktails – more on that later) as well as some custom concoctions.

Which brings us to our first cocktail with Lieutenant Dan – the Watermelon Basil Bramble, a watermelon basil gin cocktail. It’s summer, there are tons of fresh fruits and herbs, so why not muddle a few of them together with a bit of grandpas cough medicine!

Enjoy!

More Summer Beverages:

Lavender Meyer Lemon Tom Collins

Raspberry Basil Mojitos

Pineapple Sugarcane Spa Water

Green Tea Frappuccino ~ Sandra’s Easy Cooking

Strawberry Wine Punch ~ Miss In The Kitchen

Bourbon Peach Old Fashion ~ Josie Lee

Raspberry Lemonade ~ My Baking Addiction

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Watermelon Basil Gin Cocktail

Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 3 minutes minutes

Total Time: 8 minutes minutes

"Cocktails with Lieutenant Dan" featuring a real doozy: the Watermelon Basil Gin Cocktail.

Servings: 1 drink

Ingredients

US Customary - Metric

• 2 ounces gin
• 1 ounces fresh lime juice
• 1/2-1 ounce simple syrup
• 2 watermelon chunks
• 2 chopped basil leaves
• Pinch salt

Instructions

• Make Ahead: Prepare the simple syrup by heating equal parts water and sugar until dissolved, about 3 minutes. Set aside to cool.
• Cut the watermelon into 1 1/2-inch chunks.
• Place the watermelon, basil and salt in a cocktail shaker. Muddle until well smashed and soupy.
• Add the gin, lime juice and simple syrup. Fill with ice, place the lid on the shaker and shake well—30 seconds or so.
• Pour into a glass and garnish with extra watermelon and basil.

Nutrition

Serving: 1drink, Calories: 193kcal, Carbohydrates: 17g, Protein: 1g, Fat: 1g, Saturated Fat: 1g, Sodium: 10mg, Potassium: 64mg, Sugar: 14g, Vitamin A: 325IU, Vitamin C: 13.1mg, Iron: 0.5mg

Course: Beverage

Cuisine: American

Author: Sommer Collier

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