Blueberry Basil Martini

I recently had a wonderful blueberry cocktail called the "Blueberry Boat" at a restaurant called Cafe Maude...it was lovely!  A light pinkish purple color, due to the blueberries...it was refreshing as well due to the gin, basil and lemon that it contained.  I was wondering if I could make something similar at home, using my own liquor..and so, I was inspired to create my own blueberry laced drink!  Unfortunately I didn't have any gin on hand, so vodka would have to do for now.  I love Prairie Organic Vodka...it is so pure and I appriciate the fact that it is locally produced in Minneapolis.  So that was what I used this time.  I had some basil, and blueberries, as well as some lemons, so I figured it wouldn't be hard to recreate my own version of the "Blueberry Boat".  I am pretty sure theirs contained a simple syrup, but for mine I used my own honey vanilla syrup instead, since I have a bottle of it on hand at all times.  I much prefer the complexity of honey to sugar any day.  So when the drink had been mixed and it was tasting time...the question was, would it be as good as Maude's drink?  Yes!  Mine was even better in my opinion...and a heck of a lot cheaper for me to make at home!  If you want the essence of summer, try mixing one for yourself!  You can always use gin instead of the vodka if you happen to have it on hand. 

Blueberry Basil Martini
Serves 1

2 large fresh basil leaves
1/3 cup fresh organic blueberries
4-6 large ice cubes
1 oz honey vanilla syrup*
2 oz Prairie Organic Vodka
1 oz fresh organic lemon juice
fresh blueberries

In a martini shaker, muddle the basil leaves and 1/3 cup berries with the ice, crushing them until they are in small pieces. Add the vanilla honey syrup, vodka, and lemon juice, place top on shaker, and shake until well blended. Pour through a strainer into a chilled martini glass, adding a few fresh berries to your glass and serve!

*Vanilla Honey Syrup:
1/4 cup water
1/4 cup honey
seeds of one vanilla bean

Heat water until boiling, remove from heat and whisk in honey and vanilla beans, until honey is dissolved. Chill well before using in drinks. Makes 1/2 cup syrup