watermelon basil cooler {the back deck}

This is a super refreshing summery drink that my mom and I just made up last night!  She started with a basic watermelon + vodka + ice cooler mixture, and then we dreamed up whatever else we thought would be tasty in the drink.  Lime?  Good.  Frozen berries?  Better.  Basil?  De-vine.  I have dubbed it "The Back Deck" because that's where we went to drink it right down! I love it when my parents come to visit.  If you'd like to make your own summery drink cooler you'll need these ingredients.


2 cups chopped fresh watermelon
1 cup frozen berries (your choice!)
1 lime, peeled and chopped
4 large basil leaves
1 to 2 cups crushed ice
4 shots of vodka
1 to 2 cups ginger ale
serves 4

Blend together your watermelon, berries, lime, and basil.

My mom is using my immersion blender here, but you can use a regular blender, of course!  Sorry this is blurry, but my mom just would NOT stay still.  She so does not get the whole staging a picture for the blog thing.

Now add in your vodka.  My mom also did not want to actually measure the vodka.  But for the blog, mom!  The blog! 

And then your ice.  We blended the ice into it, but you could leave it crushed. 

Pour your mixture into a glass, leaving it half empty.  Or half full if you're an optimist.  Now finish filling your glass with ginger ale.

If you have a back deck, or porch, or sunroom, take your glass out and enjoy! 

Bottoms up!