Purple Basil Lemonade
Quench your thirst with the vibrant and refreshing Purple Basil Lemonade, a stunning twist on a classic summer drink. Featuring fresh purple basil leaves, this unique recipe infuses the drink with a subtle herbal sweetness and a striking purple hue that’s sure to captivate your guests. Paired with freshly squeezed lemon juice and a touch of homemade simple syrup, this lemonade strikes the perfect balance between tangy and sweet. Ready in just 20 minutes, it’s the ultimate beverage for entertaining or enjoying a quiet sunny afternoon. Garnish with sprigs of purple basil and lemon slices for an irresistible presentation. Perfect for summer gatherings, picnics, or anytime you want a beverage as beautiful as it is delicious, Purple Basil Lemonade is a must-try for lovers of creative, flavorful drinks.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 1 cup purple basil leaves
- 4 whole lemons
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 5 cups water
- 2 cups ice cubes
- 4 sprigs purple basil leaves (for garnish)
- 4 slices lemon slices (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
Rinse the purple basil leaves thoroughly under cold water to remove any dirt or debris.
In a medium saucepan, combine the granulated sugar and 1 cup of water, then place it over medium heat.
Stir constantly until the sugar dissolves completely, forming a simple syrup. This usually takes about 3-5 minutes.
Remove the saucepan from heat and immediately add the purple basil leaves to the hot syrup. Stir gently to submerge the leaves.
Allow the basil to steep in the syrup for at least 10 minutes. As it steeps, the syrup will take on the vibrant purple color and subtle flavor of the basil.
Meanwhile, juice the lemons into a measuring cup, ensuring you remove any seeds. You should have about 3/4 cup of lemon juice.
In a large pitcher, combine the steeped purple basil syrup (strain out the leaves first), lemon juice, and the remaining 4 cups of water. Stir well to mix.
Add the ice cubes to the pitcher and stir again to chill the lemonade.
Taste the lemonade and adjust for sweetness or tartness by adding more sugar or lemon juice as desired.
Serve the lemonade in glasses over additional ice cubes. Garnish each glass with a sprig of purple basil and a lemon slice if desired.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
971 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 0.7 g | 1% | |
| Saturated Fat | 0.1 g | 0% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 0 mg | 0% | |
| Sodium | 68 mg | 3% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 237.1 g | 86% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 20.3 g | 72% | |
| Total Sugars | 206.6 g | ||
| Protein | 16.3 g | 33% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 426 mg | 33% | |
| Iron | 14.9 mg | 83% | |
| Potassium | 1015 mg | 22% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
