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This week I’m replanting my herb garden and I’m SO excited! There’s something about getting my hands in the dirt that I really love. Which I never thought this former city girl would enjoy.

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Most of the herbs I planted last year fell victim to the unusually cold winter we had here on St. Simons Island, so I’m now deciding what to replant. Last year I was just so excited about having my first herb garden that I planted a whole bunch of things that in reality weren’t all practical or useful. So this time around I’m buying a lot of a little rather than a little of a lot!

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And one herb I’m getting a lot of is basil! Which I looooove. Especially in summer salads,fresh fish dishes, and summer pestos. And of course in alllll the drinks! It’s one of those herbs that pairs beautifully with all sorts of fruits and other herbs, and one that can be mixed with lots of different liquors and liqueurs. To me, basil is simply perfect.

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Recently I was introduced to Lively Root, a California-based, farm to home online nursery. They grow their plants in San Diego and ship them in eco-friendly materials to your doorstep. And they have an amazing team of horticulturists whose primary goal is to educate and help you be the best “plant parent” you can be! Their website has a wealth of plant care info and a wonderful support team to answer questions, which is a resource I've definitely been taking advantage of as I continue to learn how to care for the plants in my new yard.

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In March, Lively Root launched a Culinary Collection of plants to eat and drink with, which is obviously right up my alley! So what’s the first plant from this new collection that I’m enjoying? Basil! Which for the record, I’ve been enjoying immensely in my cocktails as of late.

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I’ve been making this Margarita recipe by @bevsbybeverly on repeat and y’all, IT IS GOOD. I’m a big fan of Margs and the combo of in-season strawberries with fresh basil from my plant is YUM-O. It’s also super easy to make, which is as dangerous as it is delicious!

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A writer and photographer, Allie Albanese is the founder and curator of Parched Around the World. Here she seeks to tell stories about the intersection of food, drinks, cultures, and traditions in places near and far.

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As the Beverage Director and Head Bartender of a high-volume cocktail bar, Allie spent years honing her mixology skills and learning about the fascinating world of drinks. In the time since, she's worked as a wine and cocktail consultant for both private and corporate clients, as well as a freelance journalist writing about cocktails, wine, food, and travel for various publications across the United States and abroad.

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When mixing a drink for herself, you’ll likely find Allie with a fresh Gin Gimlet or a spicy Old Fashioned in hand!