We suggest making a basil and lemon drink. Feel free to experiment with flavors by replacing the lemon with orange, mandarin, or other citrus fruits.
Ingredients (for 1 liter):
- 1 bunch of red (purple) basil
- 1/2 lemon
- 5 tbsp sugar or 3 tbsp honey
Instructions:
- Note that this drink is made with red (purple) basil—it’s what gives it the color! Rinse the basil to remove any dirt, discard the stems, and tear or chop the leaves. If using dried basil, add it directly to boiling water.
- Scald the lemon with boiling water, then cut it in half. Slice one half into rounds, then cut the rounds into wedges.
- Pour hot water into a pot, add the sugar, basil, and lemon slices. Place the pot on the stove, bring to a boil, and let it simmer for 2–3 minutes.
- Let the mixture sit for 20 minutes to cool down, allowing the basil to release its color into the water.
- Strain the drink through a sieve to remove the lemon pieces, seeds, and basil.
In winter, serve it hot as tea. In summer, chill it in the refrigerator and serve with ice. For extra flavor and aroma, add a few fresh mint leaves if desired.
The basil and lemon drink is ready. Enjoy!
