ORIGINAL — Mayday

May 21, 2011 (Day 54) — Mayday

I know that May 21 isn’t technically Mayday. But it’s my wife’s birthday, and everything in our household usually circles around her birthday in May, like some blonde immovable object.

Today’s drink is take off of a drink I made last year that became a summer staple — the Iced Basil-Cucumber Vodka Spritzer.

This one is a bit more summery, but still damn delicious. It’s also a bit involved, so you’ll have to bear with us.

To Make the Base:

One english cucumber

4 fresh, large lemons

1 16 oz package of strawberries

Four handfuls of basil

1 cup sugar

1/2 cup gin

1/2 cup vodka

Slice up the lemons, strawberries, basil and cucumber and put into a large punch bowl. Pour the sugar over the solid ingredients and use a wooden spoon to mash them together. Let sit for at least 30 minutes. Pour in the gin and vodka, stir well, and refrigerate for at least an hour. After an hour, double-strain into a glass bottle and put in the refrigerator.

Mayday

• 2 oz strawberry basil lemonade
• 2 oz Burnett’s Orange Cream Vodka
• Ginger ale to top

Combine the ingredients in a highball glass filled with crushed ice and serve.

This is the perfect summer concotion — perfectly balanced with sweet, sour, bright and heavy.

Cheers!

— Mark