Hello summer! And what better way to celebrate than with an ice-cold margarita. The Will Rogers Lounge at the Cheyenne Mountain Resort in Colorado Springs has created an award-winning summer margarita that uses basil (six types!) picked fresh from their on-site organic garden. Here is the recipe for the version that uses Thai basil. Feel free to experiment with other basil varieties you may be growing.

Ingredients

3 oz. Thai basil sweet & sour mix (recipe below)

1½ oz. Cuervo 1800 Silver tequila 

¾ oz. Bauchant orange liqueur

Shake all ingredients and strain over ice. Garnish with Thai basil leaves. 

To make Thai basil sweet & sour mix: combine 1 cup sugar with 1 cup hot water in a blender and mix slowly. Add 20 Thai basil leaves and blend until completely chopped. Mix with 4 oz. fresh lemon juice and 4 oz. fresh lime juice. Chill overnight.