One of my absolute favorites from Giada’s Happy Cooking cookbook is this delightful Italian basil lemonade, crafted with basil leaves, sugar, fresh lemon juice, sparkling water, and lemon zest. This citrus-infused beverage comes together in about 15 minutes and is enough to serve 6 people.

Recipe Ingredients

Basil Simple Syrup

• 1 bunch of fresh basil, washed and stems removed
• 2 cups of sugar
• 1 cup of water

Lemonade

• 2 cups of fresh lemon juice (from about 12 to 15 lemons)
• 2 cups of sparkling water or cold tap water
• Lemon zest twists, for garnish

How To Make Giada Italian Lemonade

1. Make the Basil Simple Syrup: Combine the basil leaves, sugar, and water in a medium saucepan and bring it to a gentle simmer.
2. Dissolve the Sugar: Stir occasionally and let it simmer for about 5 minutes until the sugar has completely dissolved.
3. Strain and Cool: Remove the saucepan from heat and strain the syrup through a fine-mesh strainer into a heat-proof container. Discard the basil leaves, and allow the syrup to cool completely before refrigerating. You should have about 2 cups of syrup.
4. Mix the Lemonade Base: In a large pitcher, stir together the fresh lemon juice and basil simple syrup until well combined.
5. Add the Water: Pour in the sparkling water (or cold tap water) and gently stir to mix.
6. Serve and Garnish: Fill glasses with ice, pour in the lemonade, and garnish with a twist of lemon zest for a bright, citrusy touch.

Recipe Tips

• Chilled Serving Tip: For the ultimate refreshment, chill your glasses in the freezer for 15 minutes before serving the lemonade. This helps keep your drink icy-cold longer.
• Basil Twist: Swap basil with fresh mint leaves for a different herbal note that complements the lemon’s tartness beautifully. Mint pairs especially well if using sparkling water.
• Sweetness Control: Adjust the sweetness by starting with half the basil syrup and tasting as you go. Add more syrup to match your desired sweetness level.
• Citrus Variety: Experiment with other citrus fruits like limes or oranges for a unique twist. Replace half the lemon juice with lime or orange juice for a flavor blend.
• Sparkling Alternative: Substitute sparkling water with tonic water for a slightly bitter edge or use flavored sparkling water like lemon or lime for an extra citrusy pop.

Recipe FAQs and Variations

Check out More Recipes:

• Giada Flaxseed Lemonade
• Giada “Nutella” Milk
• Giada Prosecco Float