#basilinfused

This sparkling cucumber basil lemonade is a refreshing twist on a classic summer drink. The combination of crisp cucumber, fragrant basil, and tangy lemon creates a drink that's both light and satisfying. Perfect for sipping on a hot day or serving at your next barbecue.

Ingredients: 1 cucumber, thinly sliced. 1/2 cup fresh basil leaves, torn. 1 cup fresh lemon juice. 1/2 cup sugar. 4 cups sparkling water. Ice cubes, for serving.

Instructions: Put cucumber slices, torn basil leaves, lemon juice, and sugar in a pitcher. Mix the ingredients together to get the flavors out. Mix in the sparkling water and sugar until it's all mixed in. Put it on ice cubes. If you want, you can add more cucumber slices and basil leaves as a garnish.

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 0 minutes

A cool and sour drink made with the sweetness of strawberries, the herbal notes of basil, and the good bacteria in kombucha.

Ingredients: 2 cups fresh strawberries, sliced. 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves. 4 cups kombucha. Ice cubes, for serving.

Instructions: Mix the basil leaves and strawberries together in a pitcher. Put the kombucha in and stir it in slowly to mix. Put it on ice cubes. If you want, you can add more basil leaves and strawberry slices as a garnish.

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 0 minutes

Warm up with a comforting bowl of Tomato Basil and Beef Soup. This hearty soup is packed with flavor and perfect for chilly days. Ground beef, onion, and garlic form the base of the soup, while beef broth, diced tomatoes, and tomato paste create a rich and savory broth. Fresh basil adds a bright and herby note, complementing the robust flavors of the beef and tomatoes. This satisfying soup is easy to make and guaranteed to become a family favorite!

Ingredients: 1 lb ground beef. 1 onion, chopped. 3 cloves garlic, minced. 4 cups beef broth. 1 can 14 oz diced tomatoes, undrained. 1 can 6 oz tomato paste. 1 cup chopped fresh basil. 1 teaspoon dried oregano. Salt and pepper, to taste.

Instructions: Over medium-low heat, brown the ground beef in a large pot until it's fully cooked. Get rid of extra fat. Put the minced garlic and chopped onion into the pot with the cooked beef. Fry the onion until it turns clear. The beef broth, tomato paste, chopped basil, and dried oregano should all be mixed in. Turn down the heat and let the soup simmer for a while. Let it cook on low heat for 20 to 25 minutes so the flavors can mix. Add pepper and salt to taste. Serve hot, and if you want, top with more fresh basil.

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

This refreshing sorbet combines the tartness of fresh raspberries with the subtle herbaceous flavor of basil. The addition of vodka helps keep the sorbet from freezing too hard, resulting in a smoother texture.

Ingredients: 4 cups fresh raspberries. 1 cup sugar. 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves. 2 tablespoons lemon juice. 1 tablespoon vodka optional.

Instructions: In a blender, combine raspberries, sugar, basil leaves, and lemon juice. Blend until smooth. Strain mixture through a fine mesh sieve to remove seeds and basil pieces. Stir in vodka, if using. Pour mixture into an ice cream maker and churn according to manufacturer's instructions until sorbet reaches desired consistency. Transfer sorbet to a freezer-safe container and freeze for at least 4 hours before serving.

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 0 minutes

The sweet taste of strawberries and the fragrant smell of basil come together in these delicious popsicles, making them a great frozen treat for hot summer days.

Ingredients: 2 cups fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced. 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves. 1/4 cup honey or agave nectar. 1 cup coconut milk.

Instructions: In a blender, combine strawberries, basil leaves, and honey/agave nectar. Blend until smooth. Add coconut milk to the blender and blend again until well combined. Pour the mixture into popsicle molds. Insert popsicle sticks into each mold. Freeze for at least 4 hours, or until fully set. Once frozen, remove popsicles from molds and enjoy!

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 0 minutes

Basil-Infused Lychee Lime Ice Pops

The first time I had lychee, I ordered it on a whim from a Thai restaurant. This was back when my husband and I were first dating–I had never had Thai food and I think I was trying to impress him by ordering something neither of us had heard of before. But wow, was I glad I ordered it–it was so sweet and fragrant, almost like candy. Lychee is now one of my favorite flavors, but unfortunately,…