portrait of a cocktail // watermelon basil gimlet

For me, sipping a Watermelon Basil Gimlet is the epitome of summer. The Gimlet has a long, seaworthy past. Leave it to the Brits to come up with another winning lime and gin combo. During the 19th century, The Royal British Navy started mixing the newly invented Rose’s Lime Cordial with gin to help fight scurvy. Today I mix Gimlets to beat the summer heat.

I found this cocktail a few summers ago in Martha Stewart Living, and since then have adapted it to be my all time favorite and go to summer cocktail. I literally countdown the days until it’s watermelon and basil season for this exact purpose.

portrait of a cocktail // watermelon basil gimlet

Ingredients:

  • seedless watermelon
  • 4 basil leaves
  • juice of half a lime
  • 1/2 teaspoon sugar
  • 1 shot gin
  • tonic (my favorite is Fever Tree Mediterranean)

portrait of a cocktail // watermelon basil gimlet
The best part about this cocktail are the watermelon ice cubes. Cut the watermelon into about 1 inch cubes and freeze. After about an hour in the freezer they are ready to serve. I usually cut one whole watermelon and freeze a ton of cubes at once so I have them on hand whenever I want (read: need) a cocktail.

portrait of a cocktail // watermelon basil gimlet
Mix together lime juice and sugar in the bottom of a glass. Gently rip up the basil leaves and toss them in, too. Muddle all three ingredients together. Stir in gin. Toss in a few watermelon cubes and top with tonic. Give it another light stir to combine all elements.

jojotastic-portrait-of-a-cocktail-watermelon-basil-gimlet-5
I hope you savor this all summer long!

Cin cin!
Eva

PS – More cocktails here!
Photography by Eva Burns for Jojotastic.

Behind The Blog

Joanna Hawley-McBride is a Pacific Northwest-based social media strategist, content creator, and former textile designer. Joanna is the founder and editor-in-chief of Jojotastic, a lifestyle blog focused on Joanna’s work-in-progress cabin, finding the best pair of underwear through #UnderwearThesis, and empowering women to explore nature — all in her signature unfiltered style. Her work has been featured in Domino, CNBC, and Eating Well.

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2 Comments

  1. 8.6.14
    Kate Ramos said:

    Smart girl! I love the idea of watermelon ice cubes and this drink looks like just the thing on a hot summer evening!

    • 8.10.14
      joanna said:

      you’re totally right. it’s positively refreshing!