This Raspberry Lime Basil Gin Cocktail is bursting with so much flavor from all the natural and fresh ingredients, simple syrup isn’t even needed!
Here’s a tasty and refreshing cocktail that will help chase away those Monday blues. Yes, I’m still on this (beep) sugar detox but I’m eating fruit so this drink is completely acceptable for me to consume. Plus, I’ve had a super busy weekend and slightly stressed out one too, which is more than reason enough to have one of these beauties when I get home later tonight.
Last night, I wanted a light, refreshing, gin based drink. After looking around to see what I had on hand, I came up with organic raspberries and my garden’s basil, which happens to be growing out of control right now and needs to be cut back. Grabbed both of those, some limes and my trusty bottle of Tanqueray no. Ten and I started mixing up them up.
Since I’ve been on the sugar detox, I have eliminated all processed sugars (and some natural ones like honey) from my diet. I originally stopped eating fruit but I stopped that nonsense by day three of the detox. Seriously, a girl can only take so much.
If there’s one thing I have learned from not eating sugar is, I really like sugar. If I’m expected to cut out my daily dark chocolate, the least I could do for myself is eat a little fruit here and there. With a little alcohol.
The wonderful benefit to using super fresh ingredients in this raspberry lime basil gin cocktail is that a simple sugar syrup isn’t needed. The natural sweetness of the raspberries is enough and pairs excellently with the slightly sweet finish of the fresh basil and tartness of the lime juice.
Let me tell you why my weekend was so busy… J and I are renovating a travel camper that we bought a week ago. The weekend also took a turn down stressful street when we started the renovations and found some pretty major water damage. Looking at this whole sh*t show in a positive way, we got a really fantastic deal on the camper and J is doing the repair work himself so it won’t cost us a ridiculous amount of additional money out of pocket. The negative is that the guy we bought the camper from intentionally hid this previous water damage from us and J doing the work himself means more time spent repairing and less time spent road tripping. Thanks RV Dude!
In the end I guess it is ultimately our responsibility to find the damage and we did do a thorough inspection of the camper before we bought it BUT we both missed checking the corner wall under the mattress area in the bedroom. Of course, that was where the water damage was hiding. J determined the leak was from the window and proceeded to tear out the whole wall of the bedroom, wood frame and all. He then built back up the frame, put in double installation, and sealed everything back up with a brand new wall.
In the end it is all working out because, in all honesty, travel campers are built cheaply in the first place. Unfortunately, Manufacturers will use the thinnest and cheapest material that they can get away with using. I’ve heard complaints about the quality of craftsmanship from people who have spent serious money on luxury RVs.
The original wood frame and installation in this camper wasn’t the best material so I’m very glad that crappy wall is gone and a nice new one is in it’s place. Yay!!! And I just know karma is going to sneak up one day and smack that RV guy upside the head for not disclosing the damage to us. Jerk.
Another positive of this whole situation is I think I’m going to take an opportunity to write up a few blog posts about our experience renovating and repairing this camper. I think it might be fun and kind of cool to document all of our work. Then we can look back on it and think about how it really wasn’t that bad. Even though a road may get a little bumpy during a journey, sometimes it turns out better in the end than you had originally imagined it 🙂
All I know is, my Monday is going to turn out just fine because I am ending it with this tasty Raspberry Lime Basil Gin Cocktail. Hope you join me and cheers to a great start of a wonderful week!
- 6 whole fresh raspberries
- 1 Tb fresh basil leaves chiffonade (cut into thin ribbons)
- 2 ounces gin
- 1 ounces sparkling water or club soda lime flavored or plain
- 1 Tb fresh lime juice
- 1/2 cup ice
- Optional garnish: lime slices and whole fresh basil leaves
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Place raspberries and basil in cocktail shaker and lightly muddle together. Add gin, sparkling water or club soda, fresh lime juice, and ice to shaker and shake for 3 seconds.
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Pour mixed drink in a glass. Garnish with additional limes slices and fresh basil leaves.
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Can strain drink into glass with ice to remove raspberry seeds and basil, if desired.
Karrie, you are speaking my language with this cocktail! I’m sooo glad J fixed the RV window and wall… and I hope J’s arm is okay (small details). Hope you guys are able to take the camper out soon and I can’t wait to hear all about you and the fur babies adventures out on the road. (world look out!) Anyways, back to whats important. Gin. I mean this cocktail. Love the fresh raspberries and basil leaves with a squeeze of lime. And Gin, I did mention that, right? Perfect way start the week and end the day. Can’t wait to make this! Cheers, girlie! xo
I love Gin, you love Gin, we all love Gin Oh don’t worry, you’ll hear all about my travels when I come visit you this winter and park my big ass (camper) in your driveway! lol!
Wow, Karrie! Good for you…a sugar detox is definitely one of the more difficult types of detoxes! I tried once, just to see if I could do it, and by day 3 I was like I need some freakin’ jam on this toast!! Gah!
And so sorry about the camper, but that’s great that your hubby is so handy and can fix the problem! I’m sure you guys will be on the road and enjoying beautiful scenery before you know it
As for this cocktail, it is perfection! This local restaurant makes the most amazing strawberry basil margarita, and after I tried that, I was completely hooked on the fruit + basil combo. I can’t wait to try this raspberry version!
HAHAHA!! “I need some freakin’ jam on this toast!” Ain’t that the truth and I love it so much that I could eat it right out of the jar. Great, now I’m craving jam. Also Beeta, you should never be allowed to go on a sugar detox because you bake too many wonderful sweets
Just think of all the fun you will have once the camper is renovated, Karrie! It is such a wonderful way to travel and see the country. This gin cocktail looks so pretty…and a great way to help destress. Come to think of it, you might need a few of these during your reno project.
Thanks Thao. We should be able to enjoy the camper for a couple of months before winter sets in and I can’t wait! I totally agree that I may need a few of these drinks before, during, and after the reno project
That’s just a quintessence of summer freshness! And I do love the combo of berries and basil – I often incorporate it in my cooking. I’m not a huge fan of gin though, but that’s okay – it could be easily discarded, right?
Basil and berries is such a great combo! You can absolutely leave out the Gin, Ben. Or substitute it for vodka
I’m so relieved that your sugar detox allows booze! Thank goodness! Otherwise the RV [email protected] show would be simply intolerable! This basil berry cocktail sure looks like the perfect solution. And don’t worry about RV Dude – karma is a B!
Thanks and you are so right Rachelle!
Oh these looks so pretty and fancy! I love that you don’t have to add sugar. I am “Trying” to be low carb also… I have to make this for my next dinner party! Thanks for sharing this lovely drink recipe. I am so stoked!
Thank you so much Katie! Most of the time, I don’t add sugar to my mixed drinks because it just contributes to a hangover and the carb count. I’d rather get my carbs through better options, like bread or potato chips or a big piece of cake. lol!! Let me know how the drink turns out for you and you may want to strain the drink prior to serving to guests, so they don’t have raspberry seeds or basil pieces in their teeth