1 cup water, room temperature

1 cup granulated sugar

1/4 cup loosely packed fresh basil leaves

3/4 cup lime juice, juice from approximately 7 limes

sparkling water, as desired – see kitchen note

small basil leaves, optional garnish

Method:

1.   In a small saucepan over medium heat, add water and sugar. Allow to cook while whisking until sugar has dissolved, approximately 2 – 3 minutes.

2.   Remove from heat and add basil leaves. Allow to steep off heat for 10 minutes.

3.   Strain reserving simple syrup, discarding basil.

4.   Combine lime juice with simple syrup and stir.

5.   To serve, fill each glass with ice, 2 tablespoons infused simple syrup and sparkling water to finish. Adjust sweetness with more simple syrup if desired.

6.   Garnish with a basil leaf, if desired, right before serving.

Kitchen Note:

This recipe yields 2 cups of basil lime simple syrup but depending on the desired amount of sweetness per serving, actual serving yield may vary.

If you don’t have sparkling water, or simply don’t care for it, filtered chilled flat water is just as great!