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Fresh Blackberry Basil Lemonade with Honey Syrup

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This fresh blackberry basil lemonade with honey simple syrup is the drink that summer dreams are made of. It’s bright and refreshing, with just enough complexity to keep things interesting.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 6 ounces (1 heaping cup) fresh blackberries
  • 10–12 large fresh basil leaves, plus extra for garnish
  • 1/2 cup honey
  • 4–5 medium lemons (to yield 1 cup fresh lemon juice)
  • 4 cups cold water, divided
  • Ice cubes for serving

Instructions

  1. Make the Honey Basil Simple Syrup: In a small saucepan, combine 1 cup of water and 1/2 cup of honey. Add 8 of the basil leaves, tearing them slightly to release their oils. Bring to a gentle simmer over medium heat, stirring occasionally until the honey is completely dissolved. Remove from heat and let the basil steep for 10 minutes. Strain out the basil leaves and let the syrup cool completely.
  2. Juice the Lemons: While the syrup is steeping and cooling, juice your lemons. Roll each lemon firmly on the counter with your palm before cutting to loosen the juices. Cut them in half crosswise and juice until you have 1 cup of fresh lemon juice. Strain out any seeds.
  3. Muddle the Blackberries and Basil: Place the remaining 4 basil leaves and about 3/4 of the blackberries (reserve a handful for garnish) in the bottom of your pitcher. Gently muddle them together until the blackberries are broken down and the basil is fragrant.
  4. Combine Everything: Pour the cooled honey basil syrup and fresh lemon juice into the pitcher with the muddled berries and basil. Add 3 cups of cold water and stir well to combine. Taste and adjust if needed.
  5. Strain (Optional but Recommended): If you prefer a smoother lemonade without seeds and basil bits, strain the mixture through a fine-mesh strainer into a clean pitcher.
  6. Chill and Serve: Refrigerate the lemonade for at least 30 minutes before serving, or serve immediately over plenty of ice. Garnish each glass with a few fresh blackberries, a basil leaf, and a thin lemon slice.

Notes

Don’t over-muddle the basil to avoid bitterness. Let the honey simple syrup cool completely before mixing to prevent cloudiness. This lemonade gets better after a few hours in the fridge. For a boozy version, add 1½ ounces of vodka, gin, or bourbon per glass.

Nutrition

Keywords: blackberry lemonade, basil lemonade, honey lemonade, summer drink, homemade lemonade, fresh lemonade, blackberry basil lemonade, honey simple syrup

Find it online: https://lemonydrinks.com/fresh-blackberry-basil-lemonade-with-honey-syrup/