Cucumber-Basil Spritzers

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This post was originally written in June 2011, after I got back from the first ever Eat, Write, Retreat Conference. I’m headed off to the conference again this weekend and with any luck I’ll come back with even just a fraction of the inspiration and energy that I did last time. The Cucumber-Basil Spritzers are one of my favorite summertime drinks – I hope you enjoy them as much as I do!
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When I was in DC for Eat, Write, Retreat last month, one of my first stops was happy hour at Cuba Libre to catch up with some of my old friends. As instructed by the placard on the bar in front of us, Mary asked the bartender about their “new seasonal drinks.” We were rewarded with a cucumber-basil mojito, which was one of the most deliciously refreshing drinks that I’ve ever had. It didn’t take me long to order another.

I knew I wanted to recreate this drink at home, and thought that it would be perfect for our Memorial Day cookout. However, when Memorial Day rolled around it was so swelteringly hot that the mere thought of alcohol made me nauseous. I didn’t want to abandon the idea of a cucumber-basil drink though, so I reinvented the mojitos as a nonalcoholic spritzer. Despite the lack of rum, these spritzers taste surprisingly close to the drink that they were inspired by. The combination of cucumber, basil, lime, and bubbles instantly relaxes you, and is the perfect way to cool down on a hot day. I guarantee that we’ll be enjoying this drink all summer long.

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I didn’t want to post a real “recap” post , but Eat, Write, Retreat was so amazing that I can’t help but sharing a little. If you heard about any of the drama that happened at the other “conference that shall not be named” that was held the same weekend, there was none of that at EWR. At all. It was a great group of about 60 attendees, who were all there to learn, grow, and share. The conference had such a community atmosphere to it, and I came home with new friends, new skills, and tons of inspiration. I’ve been to a few other food blogging conferences (Foodbuzz and BlogHer) and, in my opinion, EWR was hands-down the best one. I can’t wait for next year!

Here are a few of the many lessons/inspirational tidbits that I took home with me. Many of which apply not only to blogging, but to life in general:

  • Don’t take shortcuts. Always try to make everything better.
  • Communicate. Share. Give.
  • When traveling, get off the beaten path and explore.
  • Don’t strive to be “the next so-and-so.” That’s already been done. Be original.
  • Do what you love, do what you love, do what you love. And always be authentic.
  • And perhaps most importantly: if your suitcase contains a 3-gallon ziplock bag of dry thyme, you WILL get a note from the TSA informing you that your bag was searched. Even if said bag also contains a griddle pan, a mandolin, and a ridiculous amount of other fantastic swag. (I’m also pretty sure they helped themselves to a few Goo Goo Clusters while they were searching. I can’t say that I blame them.)

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Cucumber-Basil Spritzers 2

Cucumber-Basil Spritzers

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Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 10 minutes
Servings: 4
Calories: 79kcal

Ingredients

  • 1 Cucumber
  • 2 Limes
  • ½ cup Water
  • cup Sugar
  • 8 Basil Leaves
  • 1 liter 32 ounces Club Soda

Instructions

  • Peel and seed the cucumber. Add the cucumber and 1/4 cup water to the bowl of a food processor. Process until the cucumber is liquefied.
  • Make the lime simple syrup by combining sugar, lime zest, and remaining water in a small saucepan. Heat until the sugar has melted. Chill until ready to serve. (The cucumber puree and simple syrup will keep for several days in the refrigerator)
  • To make the drink: place 2 basil leaves, the juice from 1/2 a lime, and 1 Tbs of your simple syrup in the bottom of a glass. Use the back of a spoon to muddle the basil. Add 2 Tbs cucumber puree and top with 8 oz club soda. Stir gently to mix.
  • Sit back, Relax, and Enjoy!
Nutrition Facts
Cucumber-Basil Spritzers
Amount Per Serving
Calories 79
% Daily Value*
Protein 0.5g1%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Tried this recipe?Mention @HealthyDelish or tag #HealthyDelish!
lauren

Hi, I'm Lauren!

I'm a certified plant-based cook and enthusiastic omnivore who loves looking for creative ways to make weeknight meals more nutritious. I'm the author of Heathy Eating One Pot Cookbook and Healthy Meal Prep Slow Cooker Cookbook. I also blog at The Busy Foodie. Read more...

 

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19 thoughts on “Cucumber-Basil Spritzers”

  1. This is fabulous. I love all of the new drinks with basil, and have not seen this one. We have been having sweltering weather as well and this looks so refreshing and simple in the mason jars, nice touch. Perfect for my summer birthday party theme.

    Reply
  2. Hi Lauren,

    Thanks for both the delicious recipe and the kind words about Eat Write Retreat. We were thrilled to have you there and so pleased that the weekend turned out to be special for everyone involved.

    I am forwarding a link to this post to my husband, who is our resident mixologist. It sounds perfect for these blistering days (what will July and August feel like?). I can’t wait to try it with fresh basil from our garden!

    Best,
    Casey

    Reply
  3. Your blog is amazing! Your photos are gorgeous and so professional and your love for the food just beams from your post and recipes. So glad I found it! Following you now and will be back all the time. Hope your having a wonderful day!

    Reply
  4. Hi, Lauren! I’m new to your blog. It’s so well written, with so many great recipes, that I cannot wait to try!! I had my first mojito this weekend, and am a big fan! Even though this recipe doesn’t have alcohol in it, since it was inspired by it, I am going to have to try this! =]

    xoxo,
    Juju

    Reply
  5. This definitely sounds like the perfect warm weather refreshment! All this talk about all these blogger conferences makes me so jealous! One of these days, I’ll get around to attending one of them =)

    Reply
  6. I just had to laugh at that last tip! I’m always a bit wary when the TSA people see tons of weird cooking items and spices and herbs in my bag.

    These spritzers sound incredibly refreshing! Cucumbers just can’t be beat when it comes to drinks like this!

    Reply
  7. I can’t thank you enough for this recipe! The timing couldn’t have been better. I am pregnant this summer and have been missing the refreshment of a gin and tonic on the really hot days. This will be the perfect replacement! I see this being a staple in our refrigerator all summer. It may even become my go-to summer drink after the baby comes.

    Reply

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