Basil Gimlet – 5:00 Fridays TM

You might have noticed the Mom Congress badge over on my sidebar. I was recently tapped to be North Carolina’s delegate to Parenting magazine’s annual Mom Congress. You have no idea what a thrill it was for me. In typical motherly and womanly self-deprecating fashion, I wondered if anyone else from my state had even applied; perhaps I was the candidate sans opponent. In any case, I went and met some marvelous people. It was so refreshing to be surrounded by all these women who are dedicated to making their communities stronger through the education system. I stumble every time I sit down to write about Mom Congress because there are so many riches to share that I cannot organize my ideas coherently. But I promise, it’s coming. Education and children are the things that fuel my heart. Now it’s a matter of channeling all that passionate gumption into action. There’s a revolution brewing.

Before we get to the makings of a revolution, I want to share with you the makings of a most delightful summer cocktail. My Mom Congress friend Pam, a former North Carolina delegate, shared this recipe with me while we were in Washington, D.C. I mean, we did spend an awful lot of time discussing education, but we did veer off onto other topics as well. And let’s be honest, sometimes the stress of education reform, testing, and simply paperwork drive us to drink. 😉

Without further ado, I bring you my compadre (rather, commadre!), Pamela Grundy.

The late afternoon sun spreads its warmth across my garden, and I can almost see plants stretching up to meet it. The big pink lilies have just begun to open, the gardenia bushes fill the air with Southern scent, and a dozen or more birds busily conduct their chirpy business. I have finally put out all the mulch, so the weeds are temporarily at bay and last night’s rain can soak into the soil. This spring’s projects are almost complete – papers graded, events planned, volunteers corralled. Most important, we have made it through the latest round of state-mandated EOG exams (For some musings on the foolishness of this endeavor, see “Testing Our Souls.”). Two weeks of school remain, but Parker’s done, and so am I.  

Now, on the cusp of summer, it’s time for a drink.

In my repertoire of summer drinks, Basil Gimlets reign supreme. I love passing out martini glasses of the cool, green-tinged concoction and watching guests light up at the first sip. I put my basil plants out early not because I want to get a jump on summer cooking, but so they’ll be waiting for an afternoon like this.

Basil Gimlet
5 basil leaves + sprig for garnish
3/4 oz simple syrup
1 1/2 oz. fresh-squeezed lime juice
2 oz gin (I like Tanqueray.)
Muddle the basil leaves at the bottom of a cocktail shaker. Add syrup, lime juice, ice and gin. Shake well. Strain into a martini glass and garnish with a basil leaf or sprig.