Pineapple Basil Brewtail

I was recently reading Lolita by Vladimir Nabokov. An interesting book, to be sure. However, I can't understand how a book about a pedophilic middle-aged man absconding with a 12 year-old for the express purpose of fulfilling his carnal fantasies for little girls became a classic.  Just sayin'.

Anyhoo, in the book, Humbert mentions his favorite drink is gin and pineapple juice

“I had a drink. And another. And yet another. Gin and pineapple juice, my favorite mixture, always double my energy.”

I like pineapple juice and gin but I've never considered mixing them. Frankly, I'm a straight up uber dry martini kinda gal - lots of olives. Nonetheless interested, I googled the combination and found a drink that sounded absolutely fabulous - a Pineapple Basil Cocktail. It's probably not what Humbert Humbert consumed, but his tastes and mine don't necessarily intersect.




The pineapple basil cocktail looked summery and refreshing. A perfect drink to make for chillin' on the deck on a hot day.

I modified the original recipe only by substituting  beer for the club soda - I used Two Roads Honeyspot Road White IPA. The result was amazing - crisp, light, and cooling. Just like Humbert Humbert, I had one drink, and another, and yet another.

So good!

Pineapple Basil Brewtail 

3 Medium to Large Basil Leaves
Quarter Wedge of a Lime
1/4 cup Fresh Pineapple Juice
1 1/2 oz Good Gin
Ice Cubes
Beer

Roll the basil into tubes and slice into thin strips. Put the basil into a glass and squeeze the lime wedge over top. Drop the lime wedge into the glass and muddle with the basil. Add pineapple juice, gin, and ice cubes, and top with the beer. Garnish as desired.