Hello reader! I have a tasty summery drink for you today!

In California, we have been suffering from a massive heat wave for a few weeks now, and finally, it has cooled off just a tad.

In today’s post, I am sharing another yummy recipe to go with our “pesto basil week” fun! Such a simple recipe with only a handful of ingredients. Although this isn’t a “pesto” recipe I think this goes perfectly with our pesto week.

Enjoy!

Tasty Basil Lemonade Summer Drink Recipe

Servings: 4

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup of sweet basil
• 1/4 cup of granulated sugar
• 4 cups of filtered water
• 5 large lemons, reserved juice, and zest from 2 lemons
• A handful of ice cubes to serve and a few sprigs of basil

Method:

1. Gather your beautiful basil and rinse thoroughly and set aside.
2. Prepare your lemon juice and zest. Zest 2 lemons and set zest aside. Then squeeze the lemons and place the juice in a large glass container.
3. In a mortar and pestle or cocktail shaker, muddle the zest, basil, and sugar together. Make sure to muddle until your mixture resembles almost a thick pesto-like mixture. The more you muddle the basil, the better so you release the oils. **Really quick- the word muddle means to gently mash herbs or fruit to release their juices and or oils.
4. Pour the water inside the tall glass and then add the basil mixture. Mix to combine and chill for a couple of hours until the flavors combine.
5. Serve with ice and basil sprig.

Tips:

• You can use any variety of basil, but I prefer sweet, lemon, or Genovese varieties.
• If you don’t have basil, use mint, lavender, or rosemary. Whatever your garden has, use it.
• You can most certainly use your own simple syrup in replacement of the sugar.
• Make this an adult-friendly drink! Add your favorite alcohol of choice and enjoy!