Strawberry and basil make a unique flavor pairing that I love to incorporate in many dishes in the Springtime. The sweetness of strawberries plays off the more savory, herbal notes of basil in my strawberry basil spritz cocktails and in a rustic way with my strawberry basil crostata. Perfect for pairing with any spring menu!
When strawberries become really bountiful each spring, I love to start dreaming up new ways to use them. Their beautiful color and sweet taste make them such a welcome addition to all kinds of dishes for every course of a meal.
One way I love to highlight the sweetness of strawberries is by adding a bit of herbal, lemony basil with them. The combination feels especially fresh and like spring at its best.
Here, I’ve used the combination in both a light and airy spritz cocktail that would be perfect for any spring hosting and a rustic strawberry basil tart. Both of these recipes can be interchanged with my other spring menus to create new flavors and seasonal menus.
Why Strawberry and Basil Work
Strawberry and basil are a classic combination because their inherent flavor profiles both complement each other so well. The sweet, fruity notes of strawberry play off the herbal, earthy notes in basil making both brighter together. They do a lovely job of walking the line between sweet and savory, which makes them perfect for different dishes from apps to dessert. I love this combination in salads or on crostini, in particular. But when worked into a dessert, the combo gives an air of sophistication that makes the dessert truly memorable. A hit of lemon with strawberry and basil ties in nicely with both flavors.
This Week’s Pairing
For this perfect pairing, I’m combining strawberry and basil to feature in both a cocktail and a dessert. These are both lovely offerings for seasonal Spring entertaining menus. They are:
Strawberry Basil Garden Spritz
Look at the gorgeous color of these cocktails! These beautiful, deeply pink drinks have an herbal, sweet flavor that highlights the combination of strawberry, basil, lemon, and elderflower liqueur. This is a layered cocktail that is topped off with prosecco for a spritz that’s perfect for warm Spring afternoons. Muddle the strawberries and basil in the glass for a more rustic look. Or strain them into champagne glasses for a celebratory look. These cocktails would be perfect for Spring dinner parties or events where a toast might be in order.
My recipe for Strawberry Basil Garden Spritz cocktails is here.
Strawberry Basil Crostata
This Strawberry Basil Crostata is one of the most beautiful pieces of art (and function!) that’s ever come out of my oven. It’s so gorgeous. Crostata is a free form tart, making it rustic, easy, and gorgeous. The dough, which features mascarpone and lemon, whips up in the food processor. Then roll it out and fill with macerated strawberries and basil over a layer of sweetened mascarpone. A bit of lemon in all of these layers brings the flavors together in a fresh way. And when this comes out of the oven, you’ll feel like a master baker even if you’re just a beginner. This is a gorgeous dessert that would be a welcome addition to any spring celebration.
Give this Strawberry Basil Crostata recipe a try here.
How to Add Strawberry Basil to Your Spring Menus
This flavor combo can be added to all sorts of seasonal entertaining moments. Here are a few examples of how to add in the cocktail or crostata.
- For a Dinner Party: Start cocktail hour with both the spritz and the crostata. Though the crostata is sweeter, the basil grounds it and allows it to be right at home with other appetizers.
- For an Intimate Dinner Party: Start the evening with the spritz and end with the crostata for dessert. Serve the crostata with a scoop of ice cream or basil whipped cream to keep it very seasonal.
- For a Cocktail Party: Serve the spritz alongside one or two other signature cocktails. Here, you may skip the crostata altogether or add small slices to serve with other appetizers.
- For Brunch: The crostata is perfect alongside an egg bake for brunch. Skip the spritz and serve strong coffee instead. Or, keep the spritz and enjoy it with mimosas for a boozy brunch.
- For a Picnic: Bake the crostata ahead, cool, slice, and pack it up. Bring along the components of the cocktail already made, and then add prosecco when serving.
- For Date Night: Serve the crostata warm with a bit of basil whipped cream right at the table. Offer the prosecco cocktail as a toast to the evening.
Try it With These Menus
Both the spritz and the crostata would be beautiful additions to so many of my Spring menus! Try it with these:
- A Brunch Menu for the First Signs of Spring: Both the cocktail and the crostata would be lovely additions to this menu that features an asparagus frittata and orange ricotta muffins.
- A Bright Early Spring Dinner Party: Replace the roasted grapefruit with the crostata for a menu that feels perfectly at home in the heart of Spring.
- A Modern Spring Dinner Party Menu: The perfect addition to this menu that features a silky green spring pasta and asparagus flatbread. Serve the spritz and the crostata together for a dessert moment with this menu.
- How to Host a Romantic Spring Tea Party: I love the crostata as an addition to this menu, which is more cocktail garden party than a stuffy tea party. It’s beautiful red shade goes nicely with the red tomatoes in the crostini.
Hosting Notes
The crostata and spritz both keep hosting elegant and simple. The crostata can be made in advance and served room temperature. I like to add a bit of basil whipped cream or vanilla ice cream when serving it as a dessert.
The cocktail is easy to whip when you serve it. If you’d like to get a head start on it, you could always muddle the strawberries, basil, and lemon. Then add the elderflower liqueur and strain. Chill that mixture and then top it will prosecco at serving time.
Both of these dishes are meant to served simply. I like to serve the crostata right at the table, sometimes even on the parchment paper for a rustic look. Or transfer it to a wooden cutting board and cut it at the table. The cocktail can be served in a coupe or champagne glass if strained or a highball glass if not.
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Strawberry and basil make such a classic combo–perfect for romantic hosting or something more casual but still elegant. Try them in this sparkly spritz or rustic crostata for beautiful Spring entertaining moments all season long.
