Italian Honey Lemonade

 

 

 

 

Spring has sprung! How better to celebrate than a basil infused glass of honey lemonade.  Its sweet, but not too sweet and has the flowery scent of lemon and honey.  Its the perfect refreshing drink on a warm day.

 

Honey and basil have lots of healthy benefits.  Our Mothers were right, honey does actually help a sore throat.  Basil is loaded with antioxidants and is just my favorite herb hands down.  It comes in many varieties, including purple basil!

 

Since basil is not always available fresh in stores, I like to have a few different types of basil potted in my kitchen window.  I've put them in clear glass vases so you can see the dirt and roots.  The vases are square which give them a contemporary look.  I like the look of the herbs in these transitional vases. 

 

Give this lemonade a try with dinner.  It's a refreshing anytime drink that will make you feel like you are in Sicily at the first sip.

 

 

 

Ingredients:

• 6 cups water
• 6 basil leaves, rolled between your hands until bruised
• 1/4 cup honey, melted into 1/2 cup water
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 1 lemon, juice of

Instructions:

 

In a small pot on a medium flame, add water, sugar and honey.  Allow sugar and honey to melt.  In a large carafe add water.  To it add the sugar honey water.  Place the basil in your hands and roll it vigorously until muttled and bruised.  Toss into water and stir.  Fill carafe with ice. 

 

Serve with a lemon wedge to garnish.

Servings:  8