Basil Grapefruit Cooler Recipes

HONEYDEW-LEMON-TARRAGON COOLER

Steps:

• In a small heatproof bowl, pour 1/2 cup boiling water over sugar and tarragon; stir until sugar has dissolved. Let cool completely, about 20 minutes. Strain syrup into a blender; discard tarragon.
• Add honeydew, lemon juice, and 1 3/4 cups cold water; blend until smooth. Strain through a fine-mesh sieve.
• Serve over ice, garnished with a tarragon sprig, or refrigerate in an airtight container up to 3 days. If using gin, stir a shot (1-ounce) into each glass before serving.

WATERMELON-LIME-MINT COOLER

Steps:

• In a small heatproof bowl, pour 1/2 cup boiling water over sugar and mint; stir until sugar has dissolved. Let cool completely, about 20 minutes. Strain syrup into a blender; discard mint.
• Add watermelon, lime juice, and 1 3/4 cups cold water; blend until smooth. Strain through a fine-mesh sieve.
• Serve over ice, garnished with a mint sprig, or refrigerate in an airtight container up to 3 days. If using tequila, stir a shot (1-ounce) into each glass before serving.

GRAPEFRUIT COOLER

Steps:

• Mix the honey with 1/2 cup water in a sealed container. Shake until integrated. (You will have extra syrup. Refrigerated, it will keep for a week.)
• Heat the sugar with 2 cups water over low heat until sugar is dissolved. Let cool. Mix this syrup with grapefruit zest in a container. Cover, shake briskly, and refrigerate for 24 hours. Strain out zest and store syrup in refrigerator. (You will have extra syrup. Refrigerated, it will keep for a week.)
• Place 1/4 ounce of the honey syrup and 1/2 ounce of the grapefruit syrup in a cocktail shaker with the vodka, lemon juice, bitters and mint. Muddle the mint at the bottom. Fill the shaker halfway with ice. Shake well. Strain into a chilled coupe glass. Garnish with grapefruit twist.