We have a heatwave happening in St. Louis, so it’s definitely time for refreshing homemade lemonade! I have been on a fresh herb kick lately and I thought basil infused lemonade would be even better. This basil lemonade is made with fresh lemons, basil simple syrup, and filtered water. That’s it! Easy breezy! And once you make your first pitcher of this basil lemonade, you will be making it all summer long.
Bea’s favorite drink is lemonade, so I must credit my budding 4 year old chef for coming up with this lemonade idea. The girls have been begging me to garden with them. I’m the worst gardener. Ever. Period. I cannot keep a plant alive so I stopped buying flowers awhile back. I don’t know if I’m under or over watering them or what, but man, my black thumb is the touch of death to flowers, herbs, shrubs, you name it.
However… we bought a lot of herbs and flowers the other day. Oops. But those sweet faces of Bea and Tilly, and enthusiasm that they’d teach me how to garden, was too much heart melting cuteness for me to resist. Also, I have an urge to show them you can do anything you set your mind to. So the cart load of herbs and flowers cake home. We spent the morning, before the heat took over, planting, weeding, and watering the front yard. It looks fantastic! Now, if I can keep this going! Want your own fresh basil plant like we have? Check it out here, https://amzn.to/2tUpzIK.
With the haul, we got lavender, basil, and mint. Bea insisted that I needed them for baking. Then she asked me to make her homemade lemonade after gardening, and the idea for Basil Lemonade sprung into action. So let’s get cooled off with the best basil lemonade around!
Basil Simple Syrup
Lemonade is incredibly simple to make and only takes lemons, sugar, and water. However, in order to get your sugar dissolved, you must first make a quick simple syrup.
Muddle up a cup of basil leaves with the sugar. Then put that into a saucepan and add a cup of the filtered water you will be using. Find a cocktail muddler here, https://amzn.to/2lUsXP6.
Heat until all of the sugar is dissolved, then set aside to cool and steep that basil flavor in while you juice your lemons.
Basil Lemonade
The rest is easy. Juice your lemons until you have a full cup. Try this citrus press, https://amzn.to/2tUu1Ha. Add this to a pitcher and pour in water and your Basil infused simple syrup. Stir and leave in the refrigerator to cool for about 30 minutes. Then serve over ice and feel that summer love!
Basil Lemonade
Basil lemonade gives you the freshest lemonade infused with a subtle basil flavor. Simple, quick, fresh, and perfect for summer sipping!
Ingredients
- 1 cup fresh lemon juice (juice from about 6 lemons)
- 3/4 cup sugar
- 3/4 cup basil leaves
- 3.5 cups filtered water divided into 1 cup and 2.5 cups
Instructions
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Muddle the basil and sugar. Add to a saucepan with one cup of filtered water. heat until sugar dissolves. Set aside to steep and cool while you juice lemons.
Juice your lemons into a pitcher. Add remaining filtered water and strain simple syrup with a mesh sieve into mixture.
Stir and chill for 30 minutes.
Recipe Notes
Taste your lemonade after you add 2 cups of filtered water, then go up to 3 cups if needed. This filtered water you add will determine the strength of the lemonade. If you are planning on serving over ice, remember the ice will also dilute the lemonade.
If you prefer to skip the basil, that is okay, and you will have pure and perfect lemonade!
If you prefer a different herb, try lavender or mint in place of the basil!
Here is a step-by-step video demonstration on how to make this lemonade. The girls joined me for this one!
Check out these items I recommend for my Basil Lemonade Recipe!
Try these other ritzy recipes!
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