Basil Lemonade

Basil lemonade is a sweet tart, herbaceous, and refreshing summer drink! It’s easy to make with a quick infused syrup.

Got basil? Fresh basil leaves are pure gold: an abundance can make everything from fresh basil pesto to caprese salad and everything in between. Here’s a fun way to use this fresh herb: basil lemonade! It has a sweet tart, refreshing flavor with a pungent finish of basil to each sip. It’s simple to whip up at home with a quick infused basil syrup that brings that signature herbaceous pop. Here’s how to make it!

Ingredients for basil lemonade

Basil lemonade is fun to whip up at home and the perfect drink for impressing everyone (our son is one huge fan of homemade lemonade!). You’ll make a basil syrup that takes only a few minutes of hands on time, though you’ll need 30 minutes for the flavor to steep into the syrup. Keep in mind, this recipe is best in summer when you’ve got fresh basil to spare. It calls for 1 cup basil leaves, which can get expensive if you’re buying store-bought herbs. Here’s what you’ll need for this recipe:

• Fresh basil
• Lemons
• Sugar

Can you use bottled lemon juice to make lemonade? No, it’s got to be the real thing! Bottled lemon juice has additives to make it last longer, which affect the flavor. The best homemade basil lemonade is made with real lemons!

How to make basil lemonade (basic steps)

Homemade lemonade is simple: it just requires lots of lemons! You’ll need 7 to 8 large lemons to make a big pitcher. You can also consider making a half pitcher for a smaller quantity! Here are the basic steps for how to make basil lemonade (or jump to the recipe below for quantities):

• Make the basil syrup. Dissolve equal parts water and sugar, then add basil and allow the leaves to steep at room temperature for 30 minutes.
• Juice the lemons. Using a press juicer is the quickest way to juice lemons: it gets out the most juice without tiring out your fingers from squeezing. The next best choice? A handheld citrus juicer.
• Mix the pitcher. Mix the basil syrup in a pitcher with the lemon juice and more cold water. Add ice and serve!

Spiked variation: add vodka or gin!

For another variation on basil lemonade, try turning this recipe into a summer cocktail! It’s the perfect basis for a sweet tart summer drink. Simply combine 1 cup of this lemonade with 2 ounces (¼ cup) vodka. Or, try it with gin: add 1.5 ounces (3 tablespoons) per glass. Or, add limoncello to amp the lemony flavor: add 1 ounce (2 tablespoons) per glass.

Basil lemonade by the glass

Don’t want to make an entire pitcher of basil lemonade? This recipe makes 8 to 9 cups of lemonade, so it’s intended for parties or entertaining. You can make a big pitcher, but if you’re really just craving a glass, you can do that too! Here’s what to do:

• Squeeze 3 tablespoons lemon juice into a glass. That’s 1 large lemon or 2 small.
• Add 3 tablespoons of basil syrup and stir until it dissolves.
• Add 1 cup cold water and a handful of ice. Water it down more if necessary. Enjoy!

Storage info

The homemade basil syrup lasts up to 2 weeks refrigerated. But keep in mind, the flavor is freshest when it’s first made! Simple syrup lasts for even longer, but the basil flavor does dull over time.

More homemade lemonade recipes

This basil lemonade recipe is one in a lineup of fruity and herby lemonade flavors! Here are a few of our favorite ways to make lemonade:

• Try fruity Blueberry Lemonade, Peach Lemonade, Strawberry Lemonade, Watermelon Lemonade or Raspberry Lemonade.
• Opt for herby Lavender Lemonade or Mint Lemonade.
• Try Ginger Lemonade or Cucumber Lemonade.
• Go for classic Best Homemade Lemonade.
• Mix up frosty Frozen Lemonade.

01

Best Homemade Lemonade

02

Mint Lemonade

03

Strawberry Lemonade

04

Frozen Lemonade

This basil lemonade recipe is…

Vegetarian, vegan, plant-based, dairy-free and gluten-free.

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