Let’s face it, quarantine 15 is the new college weight gain of eating and drinking the days away at home. My brother had me cracking up the other day, he goes “I don’t get why they call it quarantine 15… I’ve gained 20…” So while we’re stuck at home eating and drinking, you might as well enjoy a cocktail that makes you feel like you’re back out at your favorite bar rather than night 567 on the couch. I was getting bored with my white claws and glasses of wine so it was time to mix things up a bit. Insert my spicy Thai basil cucumber cocktail. Sounds like a boujee drink you’d order at a bar right?
Thank goodness we stocked our bar cart pretty early into quarantine. Now each day is just a waiting game until 6 pm rolls around and we get all those goodies shaken or stirred, and poured over ice. Along with liquor, we’ve been buying food in larger quantities to reduce the number of trips to the grocery store. I decided to make this recipe because I had bought a box of fresh basil, the size of a Shetland pony, I thought for sure I’d use up in my 4-day line up of Thai dishes. (one of, if not my favorite food cultures) But I still had a decent stash leftover and cocktails always come to mind with leftover herbs.
Although very glamourous looking, this cocktail is pretty easy to make. You could juice the cucumber and strain it but personally I think if you can use those meaty quarantine arms and shake the living hell out of your ingredients in your shaker, you won’t need to go through the annoying juicing process. The rest is simply slicing your ingredients and pouring over ice. You really don’t need all the garnishes unless you want to feel fancy at home.
While all the ingredients may seem overpowering on their own they mesh beautifully in this cocktail. The jalapenos add just enough complexity and spice without taking over the cooling cucumber and lime. And with the heat of summer rolling in, this cocktail is the perfect refreshing summer cooler. So good I almost drank the whole thing before having a chance to photograph it! I mean really if one sip is that refreshing imagine this baby on the back deck come mid-July.
Quarantine and time apart from our loved ones has been really hard and even more so, eye-opening to a lot of things. Yea we may have gained 15lbs and forgot how to properly talk to coworkers but a break from the world is good for the soul. Try making my spicy Thai basil cucumber cocktail while at home. There’s no one to impress with an ingredient display or prepared ahead cocktail station. Just you and those gorgeous ingredients waiting to be doused in vodka and enjoyed in peace. Grab your cocktail tools and start your own party.
I’m heading to go make another round of these as you read this. Might be in a ball gown, might be in day 5 of pajamas and dry shampoo. Who really cares, it’s just me and my extra lb’s partying.
Spicy Thai Basil Cucumber Cocktail
Ingredients
- 8 leaves basil
- 6- 1/2 inch cucumber chunks
- 2- 1/4 inch slices fresh jalapeno
- 2 tbsp simple syrup
- 2 oz vodka
- 1/2 lime cut into four pieces or 1 tbsp fresh lime juice
- 1 piece lime peel
Instructions
- Muddle basil and cucumber in the bottom of your cocktail shaker.
- Add jalapeno, simply syrup, and vodka to shaker.
- Squeeze 3 lime pieces into cocktail shaker and add to shaker or add lime juice, whichever you choose.
- Fill shaker with ice, shake vigorously to release all juices and oils.
- Fill serving glass with ice then squeeze lime peel (skin side facing glass) to release oils and aroma.
- Pour shaker ingredients over ice and garnish with lime slice and basil leaf.
Notes
Try adding a dash of nutmeg for more of the Thai flavoring.
