How To Make Lemon Basil Herbal Soda

Gather one cup of lemon basil leaves and stems from your garden. Do this early in the morning when the herbs’ essential oils are the strongest.

Rinse them in cool water and drain.

In a pot measure one cup of water and one cup of sugar. Put the pot on the stove and bring to a boil, then remove from the heat. Let the simple syrup cool for about 20 minutes. Once cool crush the lemon basil leaves slightly and put them into the pot of simple syrup. Stir and push the leaves down so they are submerged in the syrup. Let the mixture steep for an hour.

After an hour strain the mixture through a sieve into a jar (use one that has a lid) to remove the lemon basil from the syrup. Be sure to remove all pieces of the herb. If you don’t it could mold.

Put the lid on the jar. Store any leftover syrup in the refrigerator. It will keep for a couple of weeks. But if you enjoy it as much as I did it won’t last that long.

To make a glass of soda measure 2 to 4 tablespoons of lemon basil syrup into a glass filled with ice. Pour club soda or seltzer water over the ice and stir. Take a big sip and enjoy. Ah it tastes so good!