Summer is heating up and, for many of us, that means getting out to the pickleball court and playing a few rounds.

Camille Wilson, author of the forthcoming pickleball themed cocktail book Dinks and Drinks asks, “What could be more perfect than a gorgeous, sunny day filled with rounds of pickleball with friends and rounds of well-crafted cocktails to toast your game?”

The book is filled with recipes that cleverly pun on the game, including Lemon Drop Shot, Backspin Spritz, Topspin Tipple, and Rose Rally. But I’m fond of the Basil on the Baseline, a watermelon and basil combination that combines one of summer’s best herbs with the sweet and refreshing spin of watermelon juice.

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(MORE: Crank Up Meathead's Afterburner Fajitas This Fourth Of July)

It might be just the thing to cool off with after a long day on the court.

Basil on the Baseline

Makes 1 drink

Ingredients:

4 basil leaves, plus more for garnish

2 oz watermelon juice

2 oz chilled sparkling wine

1 oz sparkling water

Watermelon slice, for garnish

Directions:

In a wineglass, muddle the basil leaves and watermelon juice. Add the sparkling wine, sparkling water, and ice. Stir to combine, garnish with basil leaves and a watermelon slice, and serve.

Reprinted with permission from Dinks and Drinks: A Pickleball Cocktail Book by Camille Wilson, © 2025. Published by Chronicle Books. Photographs © Erica Allen.

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