Fresh Basil Lemonade (Printable Version)

Zesty lemon meets aromatic basil in this crisp, herbaceous summer drink that transforms classic lemonade into something special.

# The Ingredients You'll Need:

→ Basil Syrup

01 - 1/2 cup water
02 - 1/2 cup granulated sugar
03 - 1/2 cup fresh basil leaves, loosely packed

→ Lemonade

04 - 1 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice (about 4–6 lemons)
05 - 3 cups cold water
06 - Ice cubes, for serving
07 - Lemon slices and extra basil leaves, for garnish

# Step-by-Step Instructions:

01 - In a small saucepan, combine water and sugar. Bring to a simmer over medium heat, stirring until sugar dissolves. Remove from heat, add basil leaves, and steep for 10 minutes. Strain and let cool.
02 - In a large pitcher, combine lemon juice, cold water, and the cooled basil syrup. Stir well.
03 - Chill for at least 30 minutes. Serve over ice with lemon slices and fresh basil for garnish.

# Additional Tips::

01 -
  • Ready in just 15 minutes plus chilling time
  • Uses simple ingredients you likely have on hand
  • Perfect balance of sweet, tart, and herbal flavors
  • Endlessly customizable with sparkling water or spirits
02 -
  • Properly steeped basil syrup will have a light green tint and pronounced herbal aroma
  • Can be made up to 2 days ahead and stored in the refrigerator
  • Perfect for kids and adults alike with easy alcoholic variations
03 -
  • Always use freshly squeezed lemon juice as bottled varieties contain preservatives that compromise the clean taste
  • Gently muddle a few basil leaves in the pitcher for even more pronounced herbal flavor
  • For the clearest lemonade, strain the lemon juice through a fine mesh sieve to remove pulp and seeds
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