Easy Basil Lemonade

Basil lemonade is one of my absolute favorite drinks to make in the warmer months. I love this basil-infused lemonade because it is so refreshing and the perfect summertime drink to sip on.

Basil and lemon are the perfect combination of flavors and it really shows through with this basil lemonade. This recipe combines fresh lemons, simple syrup, and fresh basil to make the most amazing floral-flavored lemonade.

I love making sweet things with fresh basil and for good reason, basil tastes amazing when sugar is added to it.

This is my tried and true recipe for this amazing summertime drink and it is so easy to make. It is great served alongside grilled hamburgers or hot dogs for a perfect summertime BBQ.

Let me show you how to make it!

Ingredients you will need

• Fresh basil (a good few handfuls!). Fresh basil is a must when making this recipe.
• Water. This is for the basil simple syrup.
• Granulated sugar. Also for the simple syrup which is the sweetener in this drink.
• Lemons. It is best to juice your own lemons if you are making this because bottled lemon juice is not as fresh.

All simple ingredients!

If you have more leftover basil to use up, my basil olive oil cake is a great way to make use of it.

How to make basil lemonade

Making this basil lemonade is such a breeze. It takes just a few minutes to make and just a little more time to allow it to cool.

Here is more info on each step.

1. Add water and sugar to a saucepan: Here you are adding the water, sugar, and basil to a saucepan to make the basil simple syrup. If you prefer to not use sugar, you can make a honey simple syrup with basil instead.
2. Heat gently: This part is important because you do not want to boil the basil, just get the water and sugar hot enough so that the sugar dissolves in the water.
3. Allow to Steep: Allow the basil to infuse into the syrup until it comes to room temperature. This is the same process I follow for my lavender water and lavender lemonade recipes and it really is the best way to pull out the flavors of the herbs that you are working with, without overcooking them.
4. Juice lemons: Juice the lemons for the lemonade.
5. Mix it all together: Now mix the lemon juice, basil simple syrup, and some additional water together.

Recipe Tips

• Make sure to juice the lemons and not use bottled lemon juice.
• You can add other flavors to this basil lemonade like fresh ground ginger.
• Feel free to make the basil simple syrup portion of this recipe with honey instead of sugar. Just measure out about the same amount of honey for the sugar and follow the rest of the recipe the same.

More Delicious Basil Recipes

• Grapefruit Basil and Lemon Popsicles
• Basil Olive Oil Cake
• Tomato and Basil Soup
• Italian Basil Mayonnaise
• Italian Potatoes with Italian Salsa Verde