Strawberry Olive Supper Club

Strawberry gives this glass a fruity start, then a little olive brine adds a surprising savory finish. Basil bridges the two flavors with a peppery aroma. The brine is seasoning, not the main event, so a measured teaspoon is plenty. Mash the berries well and strain if you want a smoother texture. This is the sort of drink that makes sense beside olives or salty snacks, with a balance that's more interesting than simply making strawberry soda sweeter.

Ingredients

• 5 oz Sparkling water
• 1/2 cup Strawberries, hulled
• 2 leaf Basil leaves
• 1 tsp Green olive brine
• 1/4 oz Lemon juice

Make it

1. Prepare the fruit and herbs as listed. Mash soft fruit to release juice; lightly press herbs or thin ginger slices without shredding them.
2. Add the still juices and stir. Strain out seeds, skins or herb pieces if you prefer a smoother texture.
3. Pour in the chilled sparkling water slowly and stir once. Serve immediately, with ice if you like.

Benefits

Strawberry · a little vitamin C

Strawberry supplies some vitamin C for protecting cells from oxidative damage; pairing it with basil, olive brine, and lemon adds another layer to the flavor.

Make room for basil

Basil gives the strawberry, olive brine, and lemon a savory green fragrance—an aromatic pairing to serve freshly mixed, while the bubbles are lively.