Ingredient Herbs & Spices Herb Basil Basil Lemonade 4.3 (4) 2 Reviews Basil and lemon pair beautifully in this refreshing summer sipper, sweetened with a touch of honey. Make ahead and allow the mixture to infuse for 30 minutes to 1 hour before straining for a stronger basil flavor. By Sylvia Fountaine, M.A. Sylvia Fountaine, M.A. Sylvia Fountaine is a professional chef specializing in plant-based recipes, many of which she has contributed to EatingWell. Inspired to broaden her palate from a young age by her Finnish mother and Egyptian father, Sylvia is passionate about fresh seasonal produce and global cuisines. EatingWell's Editorial Guidelines Updated on June 17, 2025 Reviewed by Dietitian Sarah Pflugradt, Ph.D., RDN, CSCS Reviewed by Dietitian Sarah Pflugradt, Ph.D., RDN, CSCS Sarah Pflugradt is a registered dietitian who holds a Ph.D. in Health and Human Performance and is a certified strength and conditioning specialist. Her extensive background in dietetics has made her a sought-after expert in family and youth sports nutrition. EatingWell's Editorial Guidelines Save Rate PRINT Share Close Prep Time: 20 mins Total Time: 20 mins Servings: 6 Yield: 6 servings Nutrition Profile: Nut-Free Dairy-Free Low-Fat Soy-Free Vegetarian Egg-Free Gluten-Free Jump to Nutrition Facts Jump to recipe Our Basil Lemonade is about to become your go-to summer sipper. Refreshing and hydrating, vitamin C-rich fresh lemon juice and ice-cold H20 are blended with antioxidant-rich basil and sweet honey. The aromatics in the basil pair perfectly with the tart lemon—a match made for warmer weather. Using honey instead of granulated sugar keeps this sweet without waiting for the sugar to dissolve, so you can get this on the table fast. Keep reading for our expert tips on what to do with leftover basil, ideas for flavor customizations and more. Tips from the EatingWell Test Kitchen These are the key tips we learned while developing and testing this recipe in our Test Kitchen to make sure it works, tastes great and is good for you too! Customizing lemonade is easy: You can adjust the tartness and sweetness by adding more or less of any ingredient. If you have fresh berries, feel free to add those as well. In this recipe, we used sweet basil, also known as Italian basil, which is commonly found in grocery stores. However, you can choose from other varieties, such as lemon basil, purple basil or Thai basil, but note that the flavor will change as a result. For a different taste, you can replace the lemons with limes. If you follow a vegan diet, substitute honey with agave syrup. If you have leftover basil, consider adding it to sandwiches, salads, pasta or bruschetta. Or you can make pesto. Nutrition Notes Lemons are packed with vitamin C, which is a water-soluble vitamin that is also considered an antioxidant. Water-soluble means that your body doesn't store it, uses what it needs and when you have enough, the body excretes excess vitamin C through your urine. This also means that you need a source of vitamin C every day. This antioxidant has been studied for its role in protecting cells from damage and strengthening your immune system. Vitamin C is also necessary for your body to make collagen, which is essential for proper wound healing. Basil is rich in many different types of phytochemicals, including quercetin, which has been studied for its role in reducing inflammation, which can be beneficial for inflammatory bowel conditions, heart disease and obesity. The phytochemicals in basil are also known to be antioxidants, which help protect cells from damage and reduce the risk of cancer. Cook Mode (Keep screen awake) Ingredients 1¼ cups fresh lemon juice (from about 8 lemons), plus lemon slices for garnish ½ cup honey or agave syrup 1 cup packed fresh basil leaves, plus more for garnish 3 cups cold water Ice cubes Directions Place 1¼ cups lemon juice, ½ cup honey (or agave) and 1 cup basil in a blender and blend until very smooth. Pass through a strainer into a pitcher or large jar. Add 3 cups water and chill until ready to serve. Serve over ice, garnished with lemon slices and basil leaves. To make ahead Prepare through Step 1 and refrigerate for up to 4 days. Frequently Asked Questions Is Basil Lemonade strong tasting? We don't think it's strong, but everyone's taste buds are different. When testing our recipe, we included specific measurements to balance out the flavors of sweet and tart, and we liked how the basil helped cut back the tartness of the lemon. How do I choose the best lemons? Here are some tips for selecting the best lemon: 1. Choose lemons that have a bright, shiny yellow peel. 2. They should feel heavy for their size and provide a slight give when you gently squeeze them in the palm of your hand (they should not feel soft or squishy). 3. Round lemons tend to be juicier, so if you can find one, it might be a better choice. 4. Finally, give the lemon a sniff; it should have a clean, fresh citrus aroma. What's the easiest way to juice a lemon? An electric citrus juicer is the easiest option with minimal fuss and mess. Alternatively, you can use a hand squeezer or a kitchen reamer over a measuring cup or bowl. Regardless of the method you choose, roll the lemon back and forth on a hard surface, such as a cutting board or countertop, to loosen the juice inside before juicing it. How long does the fresh lemonade last in the fridge? It lasts for 3 days in the refrigerator. It can separate a little, so be sure to stir it before serving. What should I serve with Basil Lemonade? We would serve this lemonade to our guests all day long to help them stay hydrated, especially at outdoor parties. It pairs perfectly with any meal and is great to have on hand when you want to unwind. Try serving it with some of our favorite warm-weather snacks, like Tomato-Cheddar Cheese Toast, Lemon-Parm Popcorn, Caramel Delight Energy Bars and Avocado & Salsa Cracker. And it's perfect alongside a plate of Chocolate Chip Cookies or Soft Sugar Cookies. EatingWell.com, July 2018 Save Rate Print Nutrition Facts (per serving) 98 Calories 0g Fat 27g Carbs 1g Protein Show Full Nutrition Label Hide Full Nutrition Label Nutrition Facts Servings Per Recipe 6 Serving Size 3/4 cup Calories 98 % Daily Value * Total Carbohydrate 27g 10% Dietary Fiber 0g 1% Total Sugars 24g Added Sugars 23g 46% Protein 1g 1% Total Fat 0g 0% Vitamin A 376IU 8% Vitamin C 21mg 23% Folate 16mcg 4% Sodium 6mg 0% Calcium 21mg 2% Iron 0mg 2% Magnesium 9mg 2% Potassium 89mg 2% Nutrition information is calculated by a registered dietitian using an ingredient database but should be considered an estimate. * Daily Values (DVs) are the recommended amounts of nutrients to consume each day. Percent Daily Value (%DV) found on nutrition labels tells you how much a serving of a particular food or recipe contributes to each of those total recommended amounts. Per the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the daily value is based on a standard 2,000 calorie diet. Depending on your calorie needs or if you have a health condition, you may need more or less of particular nutrients. (For example, it’s recommended that people following a heart-healthy diet eat less sodium on a daily basis compared to those following a standard diet.) (-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a special diet for medical reasons, be sure to consult with your primary care provider or a registered dietitian to better understand your personal nutrition needs. Additional reporting by Linda Frahm Linda Frahm Linda Frahm has been a copy editor and fact checker working with food and nutrition content for the past 30-plus years for consumer print and online publications. EatingWell's Editorial Guidelines