This Basil Lemonade is truly a Summer treat. This recipe starts with a basil simple syrup that blends into homemade, fresh squeezed Lemonade. There isn't another drink more refreshing on a hot day & it's only 4 ingredients!
In the South, when July comes around, we all start dreaming about Fall Weather. It gets so hot and sticky. This lemonade feels like a survival tool on 90 degree days.
If you love Lemonade, don't forget to try my Sparkling Lavender Lemonade, or if you want an adult version, my Strawberry Lemonade Cocktail or Lavender Lemonade Cocktail!
Why You'll Love This Recipe:
- It's homemade and you will never get the same taste from a store bought version!
- This basil simple syrup is so easy to make. You could even double it and use it later in cocktails. Gin is a popular liquor served with basil syrup.
- It lasts in the fridge for up to a week, so you can keep enjoying it.
- This Basil lemonade is just 4 simple ingredients!
For More Summer Must Try Recipes, check out this Mint Iced Tea, Watermelon Arugula Salad, Mediterranean Cucumber Tomato Salad and Strawberry Smoothie Bowls.
Ingredients:
Lemons- Make sure they are fresh and juicy. If they are really hard, roll them between your hand and the countertop before slicing them in half. This will help to soften them and release the juices. You need 1 and ⅓ cups of fresh juice, which will be somewhere between 6 and 10 lemons. Rely on the measurement more than the amount of lemons in order to get the right taste.
Fresh basil- In the lemonade, the basil is a subtle, almost mint like flavor. The taste is amazing paired with fresh lemons.
Water and Sugar- combines to form a simple syrup with the fresh basil and adds a lot of sweetness to the lemonade. For more simple syrup variations, check out my Lavender Simple Syrup and Brown Sugar Simple Syrup!
Substitutions and Variations:
If you love Sparkling water, you could substitute the 4 cups of water at the end of the recipe with Sparkling water, like Perrier.
This lemonade is on the sweeter side. You can dilute it with an extra cup or two of water if you find it too tart or sweet.
I don't recommend using bottled lemon juice in this recipe. You won't get the same taste.
How to Make Basil Lemonade:
Step 1: Remove the zest from one lemon, about 1 teaspoon and set aside.
Step 2: Add the basil leaves and ½ cup of sugar into a pot and muddle the basil until it is fragrant in a counter clockwise motion.
Step 3: Add the remaining 1 cup of sugar, lemon zest, and 2 ½ cups of water. Place the pot on the stovetop over medium-high heat and cover. Bring the Basil Simple Syrup to a rapid boil, stirring to help dissolve the sugar. After a few minutes, turn off the heat and allow the simple syrup to cool for 30 minutes to 1 hour.
Step 4: As the Basil syrup is cooling, juice the lemons, until you reach 1 and ⅓ cup of fresh lemon juice. Optional: Strain to remove excess pulp.
Step 5: Use a mesh strainer to strain out the basil leaves and zest from the simple syrup.
Step 6: Combine the fresh lemon juice and basil syrup in a pitcher. Top with 4 cups of cold water. Stir!
Step 7: Serve in glasses with ice. Add a lemon wedge and basil leaf for garnish.
Expert Tips:
- If you don't have a muddler tool, use the back of a wooden spoon instead.
- Watch the mess when you strain the Basil Simple Syrup. It can splash and it's really sticky.
- Make sure to measure the lemon juice, rather than just by how many lemons, since the sizing & juice amount can differ so much. You need 1 and ⅓ cups of fresh lemon juice.
Love lemon recipes? Try my Lemon Curd Cookies and Lemon Squares with Graham Cracker Crust.
Recipe FAQs:
Basil has a peppery, citrus like taste and pairs really well in many drinks and cocktails. In this lemonade, it's almost a subtle mint taste. Plus, the herb grows like crazy in the summer and is a great garnish to use!
Homemade Lemonade only combines 3 ingredients-sugar, water and fresh lemons. This basil lemonade brings in basil for 1 extra ingredient with incredible flavor. Skip the preservatives in the store bought bottle and get a way better taste from fresh squeezed lemonade made at home.
Basil is an incredible herb that tastes amazing. Serve it fresh over pastas, or make this basil lemonade recipe. Also, try this 10 minute pesto sauce, which goes into these Chicken Pesto Sandwiches and Pesto Gnocchi!
Storage:
Store in a pitcher with lid in the fridge for up to one week.
More Drink Recipes You Will Love:
If you tried this Basil Lemonade Recipe or any other recipe on my website, please please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it goes in the 📝 comments below. I love hearing from you!
PrintRecipe
Basil Lemonade
- Total Time: 1 hour, 15 minutes
- Yield: 8 cups of lemonade 1x
Description
This Basil Lemonade is truly a Summer treat. This recipe starts with a basil simple syrup that blends into homemade, fresh squeezed Lemonade. There isn't another drink more refreshing on a hot day!
Ingredients
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- 1 and ½ cup granulated sugar
- ¾ cup basil leaves, packed into measuring cup
- 1 and ⅓ cup of fresh lemon juice (between 6 to 10 lemons, depending on size, etc.)
- 6 and ½ cups of water (2 ½ cups of water for simple syrup + 4 cups of water for lemonade)
Instructions
- Remove the zest from one lemon, about 1 teaspoon and set aside.
- Add the basil leaves and ½ cup of sugar into a pot and muddle the basil until it is fragrant in a counter clockwise motion.
- Add the remaining 1 cup of sugar, lemon zest, and 2 ½ cups of water. Place the pot on the stovetop over medium high heat and cover. Bring the Basil Simple Syrup to a rapid boil, stirring to help dissolve the sugar. After a few minutes, turn off the heat and allow the simple syrup to cool for 30 minutes to 1 hour.
- As the Basil simple syrup is cooling, juice the lemons, until you reach 1 and ⅓ cup of fresh lemon juice. Optional: Strain to remove excess pulp.
- Use a mesh strainer to strain the basil leaves and zest from the simple syrup.
- Combine the fresh lemon juice and basil simple syrup in a pitcher. Top with 4 cups of cold water. Stir!
- Serve in glasses with ice. Add a lemon wedge and basil leaf for garnish.
Notes
If you don't have a muddler tool, use the back of a wooden spoon instead.
Watch the mess when you strain the Basil Simple Syrup. It can splash and it's really sticky.
Make sure to measure the lemon juice, rather than just by how many lemons, since the sizing & juice amount can differ so much. You need 1 and ⅓ cups of fresh lemon juice.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Category: drink
- Method: homemade
- Cuisine: American, Southern
Payton says
Hands down the best lemonade recipe! So sweet and delicious. Perfect for Summer!
Tara Smithson says
I'm so glad you loved it. It's my favorite drink right now. I've been drinking it all week!