Basil Vodka Gimlets

Glamorous summery drink. Leftover syrup can be used to make lemonade or to flavor iced tea. From Gourmet.

• Ready In: 2 hrs 45 mins
• Serves: 6

Ingredients

• Basil Lemon Syrup

• 4  cups  packed fresh basil sprigs
• 4  cups water
• 2  cups sugar
• 9  slices lemon zest (4 x 1 inch)

• Gimlets (use 1 cup basil lemon syrup)

• 3⁄4 cup vodka
• 3⁄4 cup fresh lemon juice
• 1  cup  ice cube

Directions

1. Syrup: Bring all ingredients to a boil in a medium saucepan, stirring until sugar is dissolved.
2. Let stand at room temperature, covered, 1 hour, then transfer to an airtight container and chill until cold, about 1 hour.
3. Strain syrup through a sieve into a bowl, pressing hard on and then discarding solids. Syrup keeps, covered and chilled, 5 days.
4. Gimlets: Stir together all ingredients in a pitcher until cold, then strain into 8- to 10-ounce glasses (such as Old Fashioned) half filled with ice.