Lemon Basil Martini With Italicus

Add some Italian flavor to your next cocktail gathering with this refreshing Lemon Basil Martini. Made with vodka and Italicus, fresh basil, and a delicious tangy lemon simple syrup (made Sicilian style), this drink is perfect for any occasion.

If you love all things lemon, then this lemon basil martini is definitely for you. The Sicilian region of Italy is known for its amazing lemons and you just can't go far in Italy and not encounter some type of lemon drink from there.

This cocktail is a super lemony cocktail that I recreated after trying a Sicilian cocktail in Venice, not Sicily. This may sound unusual but the whole country relies on lemons from Sicily and use them in all their drinks and cooking.

No matter where you are in Italy, you will see "from Sicily" on beverages and products with lemon. The drinks are always more lemony than drinks you find in other parts of the World. I love that extra lemon flavor and that is what makes this martini so special. I love pairing it with my favorite tuna steak recipe in the summer.

This martini will not be complicated to make. Just follow my easy steps to make that nice and tart Sicilian lemon syrup and the rest is a breeze.

What You Will Need

This cocktail is so simple. There are not many ingredients for this but here is a quick list and the full recipe is below:

• Italicus: This is a favorite of mine in cocktails for its floral flavors.
• Vodka: Any brand will do.
• Fresh Lemons: You want a bag of them to make the Sicilian-style lemon syrup for the cocktail.
• Granulated sugar
• Fresh basil. If you have leftover basil from this recipe, freeze the basil in olive oil to use later!

Equipment for making the cocktail

• Measuring spoons for the liquids. You can also use a jigger.
• Cocktail shaker or mason jar with a tight-fitting lid.

How To Make This Lemon Basil Martini

This drink is a breeze to make. If you make the lemon syrup in advance (which I highly recommend), it will take only minutes to assemble.

• Juice the lemons: You juice the lemons and reserve the lemon juice for the cocktail. The lemon rinds are saved to use in the simple syrup.
• Make the lemon syrup: In a small saucepan over medium heat, add equal parts water to sugar along with the lemon rinds and simmer until the sugar dissolves and then simmer for another 5 minutes to soften the lemons. The fresh basil is added at the end during cooling.

• Strain syrup: Once the lemon syrup is cooled, pour it through a sieve and press the lemons. Don't skip this step. I have tried it both ways and I can tell you the extra lemon flavor you want only happens when you press the lemons and get them to release the extra juices.
• Assemble: Add the liquor, lemon basil syrup, lemon juice, and lots of ice to your shaker and shake for a good minute. Pour through a strainer into a martini glass. If you are serving this to guests, don't forget a beautiful presentation with a garnish of a lemon twist or a slice of lemon!

Are There Substitutes For This Lemon Basil Martini?

Here are some of my suggestions for substitutions and ways you can make this Italian martini your own:

• Use gin instead of vodka: I do this all the time and it tastes just as delicious.
• Skip the Italicus: You can make this more of a lemon drop martini by omitting the Italicus and using more vodka along with some triple sec or Cointreau.
• Substitutions for the lemon syrup? Unfortunately, this drink will not taste good if the lemon syrup portion is not made. I have not found a product on the market that is comparable to this. It is easy to make and even easier to make ahead of time!

Storage

The lemon syrup stores really well in the fridge. I like to store the lemon syrup in a bottle with a lid in the fridge and it lasts for up to 2 weeks.

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