Zodiac Cocktails – Cancer: Lavender Basil Gin & Tonic

This Lavender Basil Gin & Tonic is delicate, subtle, refreshing and lovely, just like the mother of the Zodiac, Cancers. The perfect summertime sipper for Cancer season!

Hi, and welcome to Cancer Season!

You can celebrate Cancer season by: experiencing quiet rage; taking on the world’s problems; being comfortable with stacks of blankets and cozy clothes; always packing snacks; holding grudges for a hundred years; being a great listener; experiencing emotions like Russian roulette; being the Mom of the group; and being a hopeless romantic who falls in love easily.

Cancer is the fourth sign of the Zodiac and they’re a cardinal water sign. ‘Cardinal’ means they’re the first sign of a new element (so since they’re fourth in the Zodiac, they’re the first water sign). Cardinal signs also signify initiation and achieving goals. While Cancers can be quite shy and appear meek at times, they have no problem fighting for what they want – after all, their symbol is the crab! The water part means they’re in tune with their emotions (like, really emotional) and crave comfort, security and protection. Water signs are also quite spiritual and imaginative. (Other water signs are Pisces and Scorpio).

One of the greatest parts of a Cancer is that they’re so nurturing. In fact, in astrology circles they’re known as the mother of the Zodiac because they are care-givers and motherly to their friends, family, and even strangers. They have the innate ability to sense what someone needs and they usually have the emotional capacity to fulfill that need, either by being an excellent listener or giving advice. They are especially great at reading people and situations, often on the border of being clairvoyant due to their dreamy aura or their expressive eyes. However, oftentimes Cancers forget about their own emotional needs which can cause spontaneous outbursts or severe mood swings, something they’re also known for. Just remember that Cancers love to give, but they also enjoy being reciprocated. Sometimes if a Cancer feels their emotional needs are not being met, or perhaps they’re uncomfortable (as insecurity can plague them), they may retreat back into their shell and be hard to coax out.

Cancers are introspective and can come across as shy because they’re not big show-offs. They’re usually private and fiercely protective over their personal life and/or loved ones. As the “mother” of the Zodiac, they’re great with children and have a way of making people feel welcome and supported. As I mentioned previously, they love that feeling of being protected themselves, so they’re often found in comforting clothing and textures that make them feel secure. And somewhat surprisingly, for being someone who may come across as shy or meek, they’re usually pretty patient in making decisions and are excellent businessmen and women.

Positively, Cancers are warm, compassionate, nurturing, caring, sensitive, kind and intuitive. One of my dear friends is a Cancer and this is totally representative of her: she will make you feel welcome and safe, but if you mess with her or her family, that feisty crab will come out and it will hurt. She’s an excellent judge of character and is great at reading people, which is great since she owns a clothing store and needs to be able to suss out the people with bad energies who are usually the ones going to shoplift.

Negatively, however, Cancers can be seen as overly emotional, bordering on cry-baby; crabby (quite literally!); possessive over the ones they love; controlling; defensive; and get their feelings hurt way too easily. They also have a tendency to live in the past and are unable to let some memories, experiences, or people go which ties back to the possessiveness. And due to their emotional rollercoaster, their mood swings can be extremely unpredictable – almost like Russian roulette!

Cancers are also known in astrology circles as signs that fall in love at first sight. They are extreme romantics, often giving their full selves to potential matches that may not be reciprocal… or even interested! Cancers can get so caught up in these feelings of love at first sight that if they don’t happen immediately, they’ll often question whether or not that person is right for them. They tend to be a little dramatic in love, always expecting some kind of magic when in a relationship. And once they love you, they will continue to “mother” you which can sometimes be read as controlling or smothering. To Cancers, however, it’s simply love. Not one to make the first move, they usually fall for people within their social circles (when they decide to go out anyway – Cancers are real homebodies!) and they usually don’t make the first move.

When I was developing the cocktail for Cancer, I wanted something herbaceous and earthy to represent this nurturing water sign. They tend to like herby flavors and earthy notes in their food and don’t usually take to super sweet drinks, so I needed to create something light and refreshing with just a hint of natural sweetness. Since basil is sometimes called the mother of all herbs, I knew I wanted to incorporate this flavorful herb… as well as delicate, beautiful lavender which is so prominent in the summertime.

The result is a surprisingly delicious sipper that’s a little sparkling, a touch sweet, a little herbaceous and earthy and SO incredible. I didn’t think I liked gin until I tried this natural, light Lavender Basil Gin & Tonic and then I was hooked! It’s the perfect summertime drink!!

Even if you think you don’t like gin, you have got to try this fantastic drink!

Happy Cancer season!

This is going to be one of my new go-to drinks and I think it will be for you as well!

Did you miss your sign’s drink? Check out the previous signs. (Don’t see yours? Stay tuned!)

Gemini: Fuzzy Navel Sangria

Taurus: Sparkling Champagne Sorbet Floats

Aries: Bloody Mary Margarita

Pisces: Honeyed Pear Whiskey Cocktail

Aquarius: Boozy Grape Kombucha Kool-Aid

Capricorn: Cranberry Thyme Vodka Lemonade

Have a super sweet day!

xo, Hayley