Roasted Strawberry Basil Rum Collins

Ingredients

Cocktail

• 1½ fl oz white rum
• 1 fl oz roasted strawberry syrup, made below
• ¾ fl oz fresh lemon juice
• 3 small fresh basil leaves
• 2 fl oz chilled plain sparkling water
• 1 cup ice, for shaking
• ¾ cup ice, for serving

Small-batch roasted strawberry syrup

• 8 oz (225 g) strawberries, hulled and halved
• ¼ cup (50 g) granulated sugar
• ¼ cup water

Finish

• 1 small fresh strawberry
• 1 small basil sprig

Equipment

Roasting dish, fine sieve, shaker, 14-fl-oz highball glass

Allergens and ingredient notes: Alcohol; check rum labels.

Measurements use US fluid ounces (1 fl oz ≈ 30 mL), tablespoons (tbsp), and teaspoons (tsp). Syrup and tea batches may make extra: use only the cocktail quantity listed. These recipes contain alcohol and are for adults 21 and over.

Step by step

1. Heat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Toss the syrup strawberries, sugar, and water in a small roasting dish. Roast 20 minutes, stirring halfway, until soft and juicy. Mash gently, then press through a fine sieve into a jug. Discard strained solids and cool the syrup completely. This makes several portions; measure only 1 fl oz per drink.
2. Put the three cocktail basil leaves in a shaker with the measured syrup and press once gently with a spoon. Add rum, lemon juice, and the shaking ice. Shake for 10–12 seconds.
3. Fill the highball glass with the separate serving ice. Fine-strain the shaken mixture over it, then add sparkling water and stir gently once. Do not shake the sparkling water.
4. Garnish with the separate strawberry and basil sprig. This is a transparent-to-cloudy strawberry red drink, not a cream drink.

The Devotti twist: Roasting concentrates the strawberry flavor before it meets the cold drink, while basil stays fresh and lightly handled.

Make ahead and storage

Cool and refrigerate extra strawberry syrup in a sealed container within 2 hours; use within 3 days. Build the cocktail immediately before serving.

Image: AI-generated recipe illustration; homemade results and presentation will vary.