Fresh Basil Syrup Recipe Fresh basil syrup is bright, aromatic, and quietly useful. It adds that green herbal note to cocktails, sparkling water, lemonade, tea, fruit, and even the occasional smoothie. Simple ingredients. Strong payoff. If basil is thriving on the counter or in the garden, this is where some of it should go. And in pasta dishes, of course. Less aggressive than mint. More elegant than vanilla. Don’t tell vanilla. Unexpected in the right way. Basil Syrup Ingredients: 1 cup water 1 cup sugar 6–10 medium basil sprigs (mostly leaves + tops) Method: Add water and sugar to a saucepan. Heat gently, stirring until sugar dissolves. Remove from heat. Add basil sprigs and lightly press into syrup. A wooden spoon works best. Start with 8 sprigs of those 6-10, add more if desired. Cover and steep 20–30 minutes. Taste after 20 minutes. Remove basil when flavor is where you want it. Strain and cool. Store refrigerated. How to Use It Toast Add to gin and soda. Shake with vodka, lemon, and ice. Build into a tequila spritz. Add a touch to sparkling wine. Taste Spoon over berries. Brush onto cake layers. Add to fruit salad. Matcha latte. Goji tea. Train Stir into sparkling water with lemon and lime. Add a small amount to mango orange smoothies. Shop the Post This may be commissionable. Toast. Taste. Train.
The Mint Basil Cucumber Drink Rated the best water. Don’t tell the others? Did you know there are water sommeliers? Doesn’t it look refreshing? With the weather being unpredictable these days, I am covering my bases. Yes, but who doesn’t want a refreshing, fancy water, especially if you struggle with meeting your daily recommended water consumption? Besides, I recently purchased a basil and mint plant, which are perched in my golden window box, basking in (seemingly) the only light in this apartment most days. The mint is growing out of control. This, a good thing. I can’t believe these little plants are still alive. I don’t have a green thumb. And now, please allow me to introduce, The Mint Basil Cucumber Drink. The Mint Basil Cucumber Drink Ingredients: 4-5 fresh basil leaves or 6 4-5 fresh mint leaves 1/2 lime, cut into wedges 1/4 peeled cucumber 1 small bottle of Topo Chico sparkling water Method In a glass or cocktail shaker, add the basil leaves, mint leaves, lime wedges and cucumber Use a muddler or the back of a spoon to gently muddle the herbs, lime, and cucumber together. This will release their flavors. Fill the glass with ice Pour the Topo Chico sparkling water over the muddled herbs and ice Stir gently to combine all the ingredients. Stirring release the bubbles Garnish with additional basil leaves, mint leaves, lime wedges, or cucumber slices if desired, I skip the cucumbers. Glass: Bucket glass Garnish: herbs lime Where to buy some of the goods from this post? Blonde Behind the Bucket Storefront of course! Please know I may earn commissions from qualifying purchases. Thank you so much.