Tuesday, August 2, 2011


Happy to see all is not lost outside! My Rose Mallow apparently doesn't mind 104 degree heat unlike myself.

Taking the day off for my B-Day (yeah!) Went out to pick tomatoes and the last of the blackberries. Look how nice and fat they are :)


Bowl full of blackberries and basil, what is a girl to do...


Hopefully, I can find this special gin at HyVee for recipe below. If not, plan B is to make my heirloom tomato and basil with feta and balsamic vinegar and olive oil and save the blackberries for fudge sauce blanket on vanilla bean ice cream.

Does anyone have any recipes to share with blackberries? email me!


The Blackberry Basil Mojito

  • 1 1/2 oz G'Vine Nouaison Gin
  • 1/2 oz brown sugar simple syrup
  • 5 blackberries
  • 3 basil leaves
  • 4 oz club soda

To make brown sugar simple syrup:
In a small saucepan over medium high heat, bring 1/2 cup brown sugar and 1 cup water to a simmer and stir continually until the brown sugar has completely dissolved. Set aside; allow to cool. The simple syrup will easily last a week if covered and kept in the frig.

To make the cocktail:
In a collins glass, add the berries, basil, simple syrup and a splash of gin, and muddle well. Add ice to the brim of the glass; add in the rest of the gin. Pour the contents of the glass into a cocktail shaker and shake very well. Pour the ingredients back into the glass, top off with club soda and stir gently.