Cucumber-Basil Ranch Water

Texas gifts us Ranch Water, a cocktail similar to a margarita, sans the sugar. In this recipe, cucumber and basil are muddled in the bottom of a pitcher along with tequila, lime juice, and simple syrup. While the ranch water cocktail doesn’t typically have sugar in the mix, a touch of simple syrup helps to balance the cucumber and basil flavors brilliantly. It’s a sipper for a hot summer day that’s somewhere in between a margarita and the cucumber-spiked water you get at the spa.  

Recipe by Melissa Gray-Street

Try mint instead of basil, or lemon verbena if you can find it at the farmer’s market. If you’re looking for an alternative to tequila, gin or vodka are friendly swaps.