Basil Infused Lemonade Food

BASIL LEMONADE

Steps:

• Place lemon juice, honey (or agave) and basil in a blender and blend until very smooth. Pass through a strainer into a pitcher or large jar. Add water and chill until ready to serve.
• Serve over ice, garnished with lemon slices and basil leaves.

BASIL LEMONADE

Steps:

• Stir water, lemonade, sugar, and lime juice together in a pitcher. Add 1/2 cup basil leaves, stir to combine, cover the pitcher, and refrigerate until flavors combine, 8 hours to overnight. Remove basil leaves and discard.

ROSEMARY-INFUSED LEMONADE

Steps:

• Bring 6 cups water to a boil in a saucepan. Remove from the heat and add the rosemary and a pinch of salt. Cover and steep, 30 minutes. Strain into a pitcher and cool to room temperature.
• Stir the lemon juice, agave nectar and 2 cups cold water into the pitcher. Add more lemon juice or agave nectar to taste. Serve over ice with more rosemary and/or lemon slices, if desired.

LEMONADE JELLY WITH BASIL

Steps:

• Warm the lemon juice, 1 1/2 cups (360 ml) water, and the sugar to boiling. Stir until the sugar is completely dissolved. Roughly tear the basil leaves and put them in a small bowl. Pour the lemon juice mixture over the basil leaves and let steep for at least 15 minutes.
• Pour the orange juice into a small saucepan and sprinkle the gelatin over its surface. Let the gelatin soften for 5 minutes, then warm the pan over medium heat, stirring frequently, until the gelatin is fully dissolved. Turn off the heat.
• Strain the basil out of the lemon juice and whisk the juice into the gelatin mixture. Pour the liquid into six small cups or a 1-quart (1-L) dish. Refrigerate for 2 hours, or until softly set. Garnish with whipped cream and basil leaves to serve.
• Lemon-Basil Jelly Skewers
• To make little bites for a party, double the amount of gelatin in this recipe to 6 full teaspoons. Pour the mixture into an 8- or 9-inch (20- or 23-cm) square baking dish and let it set overnight in the refrigerator. Cut it into 1-inch (2.5-cm) squares, or use a small cookie cutter to cut out 1-inch (2.5-cm) circles. Skewer one or two pieces on a toothpick or party pick with a leaf of fresh basil folded and skewered at one end. Chill until ready to serve, and pass a bowl of whipped cream for dipping.
• Easy Flavor Variations
• Real Lime Jelly For real lime jelly (with the taste of fresh limes and no nasty green food coloring), substitute juice from 7 to 8 limes for the lemon juice. Substitute water for the orange juice. Meyer Lemon Jelly with Lavender Extra-sweet, less acidic Meyer lemons are also wonderful in this jelly, especially with the herbal-floral taste of lavender. Simply substitute Meyers for the regular lemons. You may need one or two extra lemons, as Meyer lemons are generally smaller. Instead of steeping basil in the juice, steep 1 tablespoon dried food-grade lavender buds. Strain after 10 minutes and proceed as directed above.

STRAWBERRY BASIL LEMONADE [WITH CITRUS VODKA]

Steps:

• Combine lemonade, strawberries, and basil leaves in a small container, stirring well.
• Add vodka.
• Cover and refrigerate at least 2 hours.
• To serve, remove basil leaves (if they're too wilted), and serve with ice and fresh basil leaves.