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Basil Limeade Recipe
Mia

Basil Limeade

Revitalize your summer with this Basil Limeade, a quick and easy herbal twist on a classic that’s both light and brilliantly refreshing. It’s a perfectly balanced, not-too-sweet drink where the aromatic essence of basil transforms fresh limeade into something uniquely delicious and effortlessly elegant.
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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: 140
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 2/3 cup granulated sugar
  • 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 basil syrup: In a small saucepan, combine the sugar and 1/2 cup of water. Bring to a simmer over medium heat, stirring frequently until the sugar has completely dissolved.
    2/3 cup granulated sugar
  2. Remove the saucepan from the heat. Immediately add the packed cup of basil sprigs and stir until they are fully submerged in the hot syrup.
    1 packed cup basil sprigs
  3. Let the basil syrup steep at room temperature until the mixture is completely cool, about 20 minutes. This allows the basil to infuse its flavor.
  4. Pour the cooled syrup through a fine-mesh strainer into a small pitcher, pressing on the basil to extract all the flavorful liquid. Discard the basil solids.
  5. Stir the fresh lime juice and 3 cups of cold water into the basil syrup in the pitcher.
    3/4 cup fresh lime juice
  6. To serve, fill glasses with ice and pour the basil limeade over top. Garnish each glass with a small sprig of fresh basil and a lime wedge.
    Ice, 1 packed cup basil sprigs, Lime wedges

Notes

For the best flavor, use fresh lime juice. Steeping the basil in the hot syrup is crucial for extracting its aromatic oils and creating a deeply flavorful base for the limeade.