Spice Rack Challenge: Electric Basil Lemonade

You know what they say don't you?  "When life gives you lemons, make lemonade".  Well, today, I needed a little something more than lemonade.   It's not that it was a horrible day, it just didn't work out how I wanted it to work.  As they say,  "Some days you're the windshield, some days you're the bug".   Today was my bug day.   This month's spice rack challenge was basil, and I have lots of it in my patio garden.   There's also lots in our little edible schoolyard project at the high school.   My neighbors started a little business making baguettes, so we've been eating lots of pesto.  What to make of my basil?    Friends urged me to try the basil limeade they serve at the Jolly Pumpkin in Ann Arbor, but if I am at JP, I am getting their fine beer, not limeade.

They say that "some days you're the Louisville Slugger", but today I was the ball.  After a long day of things not adding up, a cocktail was in order.   A quick look at my fruit bowl showed only lemons, not limes.  Why not basil lemonade with some vodka?  I wasn't exactly sure this was going to work out well - the idea of basil in something sweet, not savory, just didn't sit right with me.  But I kept thinking of the folks that love the basil limeade, so I decided to give it a whirl.  But I remembered that they also say "sometimes you are the hammer, and sometimes you're the nail".  But this time it all came together for me.   The basil didn't taste savory, it made the lemonade more refreshing.   And the vodka certainly made it more refreshing, too.  Let's not kid ourselves.   But at least now I can look back on today and realize that tomorrow's another day.  Here's to that!

Electric Basil Lemonade

1 shot simple syrup*
juice of 1 lemon
1 shot vodka
4 leaves basil

To make simple syrup, mix 1/2 cup sugar with 1/2 cup water and microwave for 1 minute.   Store in fridge for summer cocktails.

Mix together simple syrup, lemon juice and vodka.  Muddle basil leaves in a glass, add crushed ice to the top of the glass, and pour lemon juice over the top of the ice and stir.