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Basil-Blueberry Limeade
Mia

Basil-Blueberry Limeade

Elevate your summer sipping with this Basil-Blueberry Limeade, a stunning and refreshing drink where sweet berries and aromatic herbs create a match made in heaven. It’s a quick, beautifully hued, and perfectly balanced beverage that’s as special as the occasions you'll make it for.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 5 minutes
Cooling Time 20 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Drinks
Cuisine: American
Calories: 160
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 2/3 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 cup fresh blueberries plus more for garnish
  • 1 packed cup basil sprigs 1 oz., plus small sprigs for garnish
  • 3/4 cup fresh lime juice from 6 to 8 limes
  • Ice for serving
  • Lime wedges for garnish

Equipment

  • Small Saucepan
  • Fine-Mesh Strainer

Method
 

  1. Make the blueberry-basil syrup: In a small saucepan, combine the sugar, 1/2 cup of water, and 1 cup of fresh blueberries.
    2/3 cup granulated sugar, 1 cup fresh blueberries
  2. Bring the mixture to a simmer over medium heat, stirring often until the sugar dissolves.
  3. Remove the pan from the heat. Use a fork to gently smash the blueberries in the syrup to release their juice and color.
  4. Add the packed cup of basil sprigs to the saucepan and stir until they are submerged in the hot syrup.
    1 packed cup basil sprigs
  5. Let the syrup steep at room temperature until it is completely cool, about 20 minutes.
  6. Pour the cooled syrup through a fine-mesh strainer into a small pitcher, pressing on the solids to extract all the liquid. Discard the blueberry and basil solids.
  7. Stir the fresh lime juice and 3 cups of cold water into the strained syrup in the pitcher.
    3/4 cup fresh lime juice
  8. To serve, fill glasses with ice and pour the limeade over top. Garnish with additional fresh blueberries, small basil sprigs, and a lime wedge.
    Ice, 1 cup fresh blueberries, 1 packed cup basil sprigs, Lime wedges

Notes

Simmering the blueberries breaks down their sugars for a more intense flavor, while steeping the basil in the hot syrup draws out its aromatic oils. For a stronger blueberry flavor, you can gently mash the berries again while they are cooling.