Sometimes we all need a little springtime in our lives – especially if we have been feeling gloomy. Lately, I have been feeling a little down in the dumps and decided that I needed a bright and cheerful cocktail as a quick pick me up. Knowing that I had a basket of fresh strawberries in my fridge and some recently planted basil in my garden, a lovely, seasonal cocktail idea started to blossom in my head. I thought, “Why not combine some of spring’s best flavors with a cocktail favorite?” So I got to work making the Strawberry Basil Moscow Mule. I muddled some berries and basil together in a copper mug, poured in some lime juice and Hangar 1 vodka, added crushed ice, and topped with ginger beer. I took a sip and realized I was on to something. A few tweaks here and there and I found what I was looking for – a delicious cocktail that screamed springtime with each sip!

I have been a fan of Hangar 1 vodka for quite some time now and am so happy that they are becoming more well-known across the US. I absolutely love when a local company makes a superb product and this Alameda based distillery does just that! It also makes me jump for joy when that wonderful product is created from the hard work of a woman in a male dominated field – Caley Shoemaker. Honestly, I have a bit of a girl crush on Caley at the moment. Prior to arriving at Hangar 1, Caley started on her distillation journey at Stranahan’s Colorado Whiskey, which is one of our favorite whiskey brands in our household! Yes, I am very, very excited to see what Hangar 1 and Ms. Shoemaker will be producing next.

On a side note, the Strawberry Moscow Mule can easily be modified into a delicious mocktail! Just leave out the vodka and enjoy a bit of springtime in a copper mug!

Strawberry Basil Moscow Mule

Makes 1 drink

Ingredients:

• 3 medium to large fresh strawberries, stems removed
• 3 or 4 fresh, medium size basil leaves
• 2 ounces vodka (I used Hangar 1)
• 1 ounce fresh squeezed lime juice
• Crushed ice
• 4 to 5 ounces ginger beer (I recommend Bundaberg because the additional sweetness in this brand partners well with the underlying tart flavor of the strawberries)
• Garnish: a fresh strawberry and a basil leaf
• Glass: Moscow Mule mug (You can always use a regular Collins glass if you don’t have the signature copper mug)
• Special equipment: Muddler

Directions:

• Place the strawberries and basil leaves in your copper mug and muddle well until the berries are nice and pulpy. Pour in the lime juice and vodka.
• Fill the mug about ¾ of the way full with crushed ice and pour in the ginger beer. Stir with a spoon to really mix up the fruit and soda. Top with additional crushed ice, if desired, and garnish with a fresh strawberry and basil leaf. Enjoy!