Today, May 13th is World Cocktail Day. And for you, I started a day early – mixing up a “cool as a cucumber” summer refresher for the camping, picnicking, barbecuing, beach days ahead!
These “nationally” designated days are incredibly popular in our era of food lovers, aka “foodies”, food bloggers, and Yelpers. But this is WORLD cocktail day – and bars, pubs, clubs, and competitions worldwide are hoisting glasses to commemorate. I found articles galore online and several Facebook pages for this celebratory day of imbibing. Did you know that the piña colada was voted the UK’s favorite cocktail? Strange…but then again, a piña colada does transport you to sunny, tropical locales with just one delicious sip. Isn’t it de rigueur to enjoy this glorious concoction of rum, pineapple juice and coconut cream while lounging at the pool or surveying the scene from a beach cabana?
You can tell I have summer on my mind with this refreshing libation of Pinnacle Cucumber infused vodka, muddled basil and cucumber, pineapple juice and a touch of jalapeño, if you like, for that icy hot juxtaposition that some of us go crazy for. If not, leave it out – no worries. When it comes to cocktails – it is all about you!
- 2 ounces Pinnacle Cucumber vodka
- 1.5 ounces pineapple juice
- fresh organic basil leaves
- English cucumber slices
- jalapeño slices optional
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Muddle 2 basil leaves with a slice of cucumber in a shaker. Add ice,vodka and pineapple juice. Shake until well chilled. Pour into a glass filled with ice (or up in a martini glass, if preferred). Garnish with basil leaf, cucumber, and/or jalapeño.
The Cucumber Basil Refresher is so easy to make: full of fresh, natural ingredients, just shake it up and serve it in a coupe or martini glass, or in an old-fashioned (rocks, lowball) glass for a more casual outdoor soirée. Pineapple juice makes your tastebuds tingle and the lovely bright green color is the bonus you get from muddling fresh basil. Add a slice of cucumber to the muddling to enhance the flavored spirit, throw in a touch of heat, and get ready for a party in your mouth!
A little about Pinnacle® Vodka: Award-winning Pinnacle® Vodka starts with the finest wheat grain from France and is five times distilled for an incredibly clean, smooth taste. I’m not usually a fan of infused vodkas, but I found the cucumber vodka smooth with a subtle cucumber flavor and a touch of sweetness that eliminates the need for agave or simple syrup. It’s everything you’d expect from premium vodka with an affordable price point.
In the 2013 International Wine & Spirit Competition (IWSC), Pinnacle® Original championed the Vodka category. Pinnacle® Vodka beat out more than 100 vodkas from all over the world to take home both the Vodka Trophy, the highest honor for the vodka category, and the Gold Outstanding Award. With over 40 distinct flavors, from fresh and fruity Tropical Punch and Raspberry, to indulgent Whipped®, Cake, and Cinnabon®, Pinnacle vodkas make mixing cocktails a fun, exciting experience every time!
Disclosure: I received a bottle of Pinnacle® Cucumber Vodka for review and cocktail recipe development.
Priscilla! I’ve used the Pinnacle Chocolate vodka, but must try this! Oh, wow love cukes and basil! Count me in…when we’re ever together, promise you’ll make this for me!! xo
You can bet on it, darlin’. One of these days we’ll make it happen 🙂
Pineapple juice is so inspiring with the cucumber. GREG