Summer Garden Cocktail

A gorgeous strawberry and basil syrup flavours this festive tipple. For a nonalcoholic version, omit the gin and adjust the syrup and water amounts to taste. Serve garnished with little flowers to make it look really pretty and summery.

300g caster sugar

2 cups water

1½ cups fresh basil leaves, plus extra for garnish 500g strawberries

2 lemons, juiced

1½ cups gin

Ice

6 cups still or sparkling water Strawberries, basil and edible flowers for garnish Place the sugar, water, basil leaves and strawberries in a saucepan, crush using a potato masher and bring to the boil. Reduce heat to a low boil for about 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. Take off heat and cool.

Pass strawberry mixture through a sieve. Discard pulp and refrigerate the syrup until chilled.

Pour lemon juice and gin into a large jug and refrigerate until chilled.

Just before serving, add 2 cups of the strawberry syrup to the jug along with lots of ice. Top up with the water to taste. Garnish with strawberries, flowers and basil leaves. Serves 8-10