Happy Birthday, USA!

Ah, the good ol' U S of A. 'Murica. The land of the free. What a good home you are. In honor of your birthday, people get obliterated every year on the 4th of July. How lucky you are. While beer seems to be the most consumed alcoholic beverage on this fine day, let's not forget the cocktail drinkers. The ones for whom beer makes them think of Nascar (no judgement) and people who wear their ballcaps backwards (possible judgement). I am a beer drinker so I am shutting up about that.
However, I am also a cocktail drinker. And it's fugging hot out. Hot. And a cocktail with ice is just what any subpar doctor would recommend.

Happy birthday to the red, white, and blue!

No fancy equipment needed.

Don't let your drink get watered down. It's unAmerican!

It's a holiday worthy of a garnish.

I am a gin & tonic fan. They make me happy. However, on this day of days, a special G & T is necessary. Enter the Basil Lemon Gin & Tonic. Let's make this bad boy.
Basil Lemon G & T
2 oz. quality gin (try an American Dry like Botanist)
1/4 to 1/2 oz. lemon juice (fresh-squeezed if you can, if not, fuck it - use juice from a plastic lemon)
3 large basil leaves or 5 small ones (do you say bah-sil or bay-sil and does it really matter?) 
tonic to top (Q or Fever Tree is my recommendation)
ice - Note: I made my ice out of tonic. This way when my drink gets low, I can simply pop some more gin and lemon juice in there, and I have a completely refreshed drink that never gets watered down. Just sayin'.
Muddle the basil leaves and lemon juice in the glass. Add the gin and ice and then top with tonic. Garnish if you feel the need. 

This light and refreshing drink helps one forget that it's burning up outside and fireworks are illegal this year. Drink one as a toast to the country that lets you drink one for your country.