Makes 1 pint glass full
1 bunch basil, cleaned & stemmed
2 cups sugar
1 cup water
2 cups lemon juice, freshly-squeezed (from a dozen or so lemons)
2 cups sparkling water
Ice
Combine basil, sugar, and water in a saucepan and simmer until the sugar is dissolved, about 5 minutes. Allow to cool and strain.
Mix lemon juice and water together in a pitcher. Add basil simple syrup to taste. Correct the tartness with additional lemon juice or simple syrup as needed. Pour over ice filled glasses and garnish with a pretty lemon twist if you’d like.
Extra basil simple syrup may stored in the refrigerator — it is lovely for all kinds of summer drinks.
Sounds great! But what’s Basil simple syrup? It’s not listed in the ingredients.