Strawberries...on the rocks.

First things first. May is strawberry month here at Half-Assed Vegetarian, and what better way to kick it off than with a cocktail? We made this one when we get home from picking... and many times since. Come to think of it, I'm not sure I've been drinking anything else.

Strawberry, Basil & Gin Cocktail

(lightly modified from Monica's wonderful recipe at allrecipes.com)

Here's What You're Gonna Need:

2 strawberries (if they're still fresh, use some that got a little mushed along the way)
2 fresh basil leaves
1/2 pony jigger blue agave (I think that's about 1/2 oz) or teaspoons of white sugar
1 jigger gin (about 2 oz), our favorite is Quintessential gin
1 pony jigger fresh lemon juice (1 oz), optional
3 fluid ounces chilled club soda, or whatever tops your glass, but don't water this drink down too much--it's best if you can really taste the strawberries and basil.

And Here's What You're Gonna Do:

Put the strawberries and basil leaves in a cocktail shaker and muddle (smash) the heck out of them. You can't over do it here. If you're using white sugar instead of agave, muddle that, too.

If you're going with agave, add it now, along with the gin and lemon juice. Add ice to the shaker and shake shake shake. Again, you can't over do it with the shaking. The more you do it, the colder your drink is going to be.

Strain over ice, top with club soda, and stir. If you're fancy like my husband, you can add a little strawberry basil flair to the side of the glass. If you're just thirsty like me, drink up!