Strawberry Rickey

Nothing beats sitting on the front porch and drinking a Strawberry Rickey on a summer evening! This cocktail is made with a homemade strawberry basil simple syrup then mixed with gin, fresh lemon juice, and soda water. It’s got the perfect amount of sweetness, fresh flavor, and just the right amount of gin!

This strawberry rickey is a fruity take on the classic gin rickey cocktail, and honestly, I love it so much more than the classic it’s based off of!

The strawberries provide a great amount of sweetness without being too much, while the basil makes everything wonderfully fresh. This cocktail is pretty much the definition of refreshing!

With one pitcher of this cocktail having 1/2 cup of gin, it’s pretty dang boozy, but don’t worry. The other flavors pair perfectly with the gin! The flavor of the gin isn’t necessarily masked, but it mixes so well into the drink that you can enjoy it without it being overwhelming. While you could add a bit more gin to make it even stronger, just be wary, as it’s already fairly strong.

So next time you’re hosting a backyard barbecue, a girl’s night, or just want to treat yourself, make a pitcher of this fresh and fruity strawberry rickey cocktail!

It’s always a crowd pleaser, especially in the warm weather when all anyone wants is an ice cold refreshing drink to take the edge off.

Ingredients

For the homemade strawberry basil simple syrup, you’ll need:

• Sugar – White granulated sugar is the best base for any simple syrup recipe.
• Water
• Strawberries – Use fresh, not frozen strawberries! The juices and flavor from fresh berries far surpasses frozen berries when it comes to making this simple syrup.
• Basil – Double check that your basil is fresh by observing the color and smell. Only use basil that is vibrantly green and smells delicious!

Here’s what you’ll need on hand to assemble the cocktail:

• Strawberry basil simple syrup
• Gin – Remember, your cocktail will only be as good as the liquor you use! While you don’t necessarily need top shelf gin, try to steer clear from the bottom shelf.
• Lemon juice – Using fresh lemon juice instead of the pre-bottled stuff from concentrate makes a world of difference.
• Soda water – You can adjust how much you use based on your personal tastes.
• Ice

How long will the strawberry basil simple syrup stay fresh?

Keep this simple syrup in an airtight container in the fridge, where it will stay fresh for about 2 weeks.

What other garnishes can I use on my glass of strawberry rickey?

Fresh basil leaves and strawberries are my favorites! However, a lemon or lime slice on top is also pretty cute.

Enjoy some more fun in the sun with these easy cocktail recipes!

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Frozen Mint Julep

Frozen Pineapple Mango Margarita

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Strawberry Rickey

This cocktail is made with a homemade strawberry basil simple syrup then mixed with gin, fresh lemon juice, and soda water. It's got the perfect amount of sweetness, fresh flavor, and just the right amount of gin!

5 from 1 vote

Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes minutes

Total Time: 20 minutes minutes

Servings: 2 cocktails

Author: Julie Chiou

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Ingredients 

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Strawberry basil simple syrup:

• ▢ ½ cup (100 g) granulated sugar
• ▢ ½ cup (118 ml) water
• ▢ ⅔ cup (96 g) fresh strawberries, sliced
• ▢ 4 basil leaves

To assemble:

• ▢ ½ cup (169 g) strawberry basil simple syrup
• ▢ ½ cup (118 ml) gin
• ▢ ½ cup (118 ml) lemon juice
• ▢ ½ cup (118 ml) soda water, adjust to taste
• ▢ 2 ½ cups (592 g) ice

Garnish:

• ▢ Basil leaves, mint sprigs, lemon slices or strawberries

Instructions 

• Prepare the strawberry basil simple syrup. In a small pot over medium heat combine the sugar, water, sliced strawberries and basil leaves. Bring to a simmer and cook until the strawberries are mushy and the syrup has thickened, around 15 minutes. Remove from heat and let it cool down. Strain over a glass jar with lid and set aside for later use.
• Prepare the cocktail: In a small pitcher combine the strawberry basil simple syrup, gin and lemon juice. Stir to combine. Add the ice and top with the soda.
• Serve immediately garnished with mint sprigs, basil leaves, lemon slices or fresh strawberries.

Recipe Notes

You can prepare the strawberry basil simple syrup in advance. It lasts refrigerated for up to a week so you can double or triple the recipe and have it ready to go.

You can also use sparkling water instead of soda! It’s incredibly delicious too. Adjust the soda to your taste. If you prefer a stronger cocktail ½ cup will be great for you. However if you prefer something more refreshing or less strong go with 1 cup.

NUTRITION FACTS

Serving: 1 cocktail | Calories: 468 kcal | Carbohydrates: 124 g | Protein: 1 g | Fat: 1 g | Saturated Fat: 1 g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1 g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1 g | Sodium: 84 mg | Potassium: 293 mg | Fiber: 2 g | Sugar: 116 g

This website provides approximate nutrition information for convenience and as a courtesy only. Nutrition information can vary for a variety of reasons. For the most precise nutritional data use your preferred nutrition calculator based on the actual ingredients you used in the recipe.

The default measuring system for this website is US Customary. Unit conversions are provided for convenience and as a courtesy only. While we strive to provide accurate unit conversions, please be aware that there may be some discrepancies.