Basil Lemonade Recipe
This basil lemonade is a great twist on the classic lemonade.
Servings: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 1 cup fresh basil
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup water
- 1 cup fresh squeezed lemon juice
Instructions
- Muddle the basil with the sugar in a small pan. Add in the water and cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally until the sugar is dissolved.
- Strain out the basil with a fine mesh strainer.
- To each cup, add ¼ cup of basil simple syrup, ¼ cup of lemon juice and water to taste.
- This can also be mixed all together in a large pitcher as well.
- Garnish with more fresh basil and lemon slices.
- To make this sparkling, add sparkling water in place of regular water.
Notes
- Don’t skip the simple syrup: This creates a perfectly sweetened glass of lemonade without the concern of sugar not dissolving or settling to the bottom. It makes the stirring process more simple, too, because of how easily the syrup mixes into the lemon juice
- Choose good lemons: Good lemon juice starts with good lemons. Look for bright yellow peels that are free from blemishes that don’t feel overly hard or soft. It can be hard to find good lemons when they’re in off-season, but it’s worth the extra time to look for the best choices. Older lemons will still work, but the flavor tends to be more muted.
- Juice them well: Whether you’re using your hands or a citrus juicer, be sure to get out as much lemon juice as possible. Before you cut into the lemon, roll it on the counter with your hand. If it feels hard still, microwave it for 5-10 sec