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    Home » Recipes » Beverages

    Published: Aug 31, 2023 by Cassie Waltman · 1 Comment

    Fragrant Basil Simple Syrup

    click here to get straight to the recipe

    A garden full of basil is a sure sign of late summer and the best way to take advantage of it is to make this fragrant basil simple syrup! With a batch of this on hand you can prep easy beverages, cocktails, and desserts.

    An overhead view of a pitcher of pale yellow syrup sits on green fabric next to basil leaves.

    I love to pair herbal flavors with both sweet and savory dishes all year round. In summer, basil is king! Adding it to a simple syrup was a no-brainer and makes it so easy to add a fragrant, verdant flavor profile to beverages and desserts.

    Simple syrups are so much more effective in bringing concentrated flavor to recipes than just tossing in the herbs or spices. In my Stone Fruit Sangria, I steep star anise in a simple syrup to add a spicy note. In this Peach Trifle with Angel Food Croutons a rosemary syrup perfectly compliments the sweet peaches and whipped cream. Try my Blueberry Simple Syrup or Strawberry Simple Syrup next!

    Jump to:
    • Ingredients
    • Instructions
    • Use It in Refreshing Beverages
    • Use It in Desserts
    • Use It in Cocktails
    • Storage
    • Top tip
    • FAQ
    • More Basil Recipes
    • Pairing
    • Try It and Share
    • Recipe
    • Comments

    Ingredients

    Just two ingredients are needed to make this recipe. It's easy to double this recipe to make a big batch for all your summer dining needs!

    A bunch of basil leave sand a cup of sugar are displayed over a pale green fabric background.
    • Basil - Use fresh green leaves for the best flavor in your simple syrup. Rinse the bunch well and shake or pat dry the leaves.
    • Granulated Sugar - Granulated sugar is used to sweeten the syrup but also helps in thickening the mixture for a syrup consistency.

    I include ingredient notes here when I think they’ll be helpful, including ways to source, any preparation tips, or why I've chosen a particular ingredient. Be sure to check out the recipe card below for the full list of ingredients and their quantities!

    Instructions

    A batch of basil simple syrup can be started in just a few minutes. Most of the preparation time is in steeping and cooling the syrup!

    Basil leaves are submerged in a liquid in the bottom of a dark saucepan set on a green woven tray.

    Combine the washed basil leaves, sugar, and 1 cup of water in a medium sauce pan. Bring the mixture to a rolling boil over medium-high heat.

    A pale yellow syrup in a clear glass pitcher sits on green fabric next to basil leaves.

    Remove the pan from the heat and allow the leaves to steep in the syrup for 30 minutes. Strain the syrup using a mesh strainer and transfer it to a small pitcher or jar.

    Use It in Refreshing Beverages

    Basil simple syrup makes a delicious basil lemonade or limeade. Add these ingredients to a glass of ice for a summer sipper:

    • 1 ounce basil simple syrup
    • 1 ounce fresh-squeezed lemon or lime juice
    • 6 ounces water
    • basil leaves or citrus slices for garnish
    A pitcher of lemonade sits on a white tray next to a glass garnished with a basil leaf and a lemon slice and a small pitcher of basil syrup.

    Make a big pitcher of basil limeade to share with friends at your next backyard barbecue. One batch of this recipe will make 8 servings of limeade.

    Use It in Desserts

    Basil pairs well with many fruits and is a great way to accent desserts. Use basil simple syrup in these dessert ideas:

    • Marinate strawberry slices in basil syrup before adding them to a strawberry shortcake.
    • Brush vanilla cake layers with basil syrup before adding a layer of lemon curd . Frost the cake with a lemon buttercream frosting.
    • Add basil syrup to cubed pound cake for layering with whipped cream in a berry trifle.
    • Drizzle basil syrup over a scoop of Sweet Corn Ice Cream for an unexpected treat.

    Use It in Cocktails

    I love a cocktail that has sweet, sour, and herbal notes in good balance. This basil simple syrup would be a great addition to a cocktail bar at any gathering.

    A pale green cocktail in a coupe glass sits on a green tray near a cocktail shaker, basil leaves, lime slices, and a pitcher of a pale yellow syrup.

    To make a Basil Vodka Gimlet, combine the ingredients listed below into a cocktail shaker with ice and shake vigorously for 1 minute. Strain the liquid into a cocktail glass and serve with a basil leaf as garnish.

    • 1 ounce basil simple syrup
    • 2 ounces vodka
    • 1 ounce fresh-squeezed lime juice
    • 3 basil leaves
    A pale green cocktail in a coupe glass sits on a green tray near a cocktail shaker, basil leaves, lime slices, and a pitcher of a pale yellow syrup.

    Storage

    Store your basil simple syrup in an airtight jar in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.

    Top tip

    If you want a perfectly clear syrup, line your mesh strainer with a double layer of cheesecloth.

    FAQ

    Can I use dried basil leaves to make basil syrup?

    Only use fresh basil leaves for this recipe. If you use dried basil you will lose out on that fresh "green" flavor note in the syrup.

    Can you freeze basil simple syrup?

    Yes. Freeze the syrup in airtight freezer-safe container and you can store it for up to three months.

    Can other sweeteners be used to make the syrup?

    The flavor in basil simple syrup is subtle, so granulated sugar is the best sweetener to use that won't mask it.

    More Basil Recipes

    Basil is such a versatile herb and finds its way into so many of my favorite recipes. Try any of these recipes to feature basil at your table:

    • Three bowls of gnocchi are displayed on a blue background.
      Baked Gnocchi with Sun Dried Tomato Cream
    • A detail image of the chickpea stew shows the beans in an orange broth flecked with basil leaves, drizzled with olive oil, and garnished with fresh basil.
      Simple Speedy Chickpea Stew with Lemon and Basil
    • A detail image of the spaghetti twirled into piles on a white platter and garnished with basil leaves.
      Instant Pot Creamy Pesto Chicken Spaghetti
    • Three servings of the salad on wooden plates are arranged over a black surface with tomatoes, herbs, and grilled bread.
      Grilled Bread Panzanella with White Beans

    Pairing

    Basil Simple Syrup will make a refreshing beverage to serve with these recipes for a summer dinner menu:

    • Edamame and Lemon Spread
    • The salad is displayed on a brown wooden platter over a green surface.
      Grilled Peach and Burrata Salad with Pesto Salad Dressing
    • Chicken Thighs with Chimichurri Sauce
    • Four glasses filled with sliced fresh peaches, whipped cream, and angel food croutons arranged on a white surface.
      Fresh Peach Trifle with Angel Food Croutons and Rosemary Syrup

    Try It and Share

    Make this basil simple syrup and show us how you use it! Tag your photo with #planeatpostrepeat and mention me @planeatpostrepeat on Instagram or Facebook. I can give you a virtual high five and thank you for cooking one of my recipes! Comment below with any questions and please leave a review so others can find this recipe more easily.

    Recipe

    An overhead view of a pitcher of pale yellow syrup sits on green fabric next to basil leaves.

    Fragrant Basil Simple Syrup

    Cassie Waltman
    Bring all of the fresh aromas of garden basil into the kitchen with this basil simple syrup perfect for beverages and cocktails.
    5 from 1 vote
    Prevent your screen from going dark
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    Prep Time 5 minutes mins
    Cook Time 3 minutes mins
    Cooling Time 30 minutes mins
    Course beverage
    Cuisine American
    Servings 8 oz.
    Calories 98 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    • 2 cups basil leaves (lightly packed, about 1.5-2 ounces)
    • 1 cup granulated sugar

    Instructions
     

    • Wash basil leaves and pat or shake them dry.
    • Combine the leaves with the sugar and 1 cup of water in a medium sauce pan. stir everything together, bruising the leaves a bit.
    • Heat the mixture over medium-high heat until it reaches a rolling boil, about 2-3 minutes.
    • Remove the pan from the heat and allow the mixture to cool and steep for 30 minutes (or more).
    • Strain the syrup and store it in a jar or another airtight container in the refrigerator.

    Nutrition facts are sometimes provided below and are calculated using an online calculator. With specific brands of ingredients and additions, omissions, or substitutions the nutrition facts may change. We encourage you to use your own nutrition facts caculator to obtain the most accurate nutrition facts for your meal.

    Nutrition Facts

    Calories: 98kcalCarbohydrates: 25gProtein: 0.2gFat: 0.1gSaturated Fat: 0.003gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.02gMonounsaturated Fat: 0.01gSodium: 0.5mgPotassium: 18mgFiber: 0.1gSugar: 25gVitamin A: 317IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 11mgIron: 0.2mg
    Share your results on Instagram!Mention @planeatpostrepeat or tag #planeatpostrepeat !

    More Beverage Recipes

    • A pitcher of the vibrantly red syrup sits next to a pile of fresh cranberries.
      Cranberry Syrup with Vanilla
    • A carafe of lemonade sits on a green woven tray next to a glass of lemonade and a plate of lemon slices and basil leaves.
      Homemade Basil Lemonade
    • A jar of the blueberry syrup sits on a green and white striped towel next to a bowl used to strain the syrup.
      Blueberry Simple Syrup for Drinks, Dessert, and Breakfast
    • A rocks glass with a salted rim holds a red liquid and is garnished with a sliced strawberry and a slice of jalapeno. In fornt of the glass are two fresh strawberries, a sliced lime, and a fresh jalapeno.
      Strawberry Jalapeño Margaritas

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Cassie @ Plan. Eat. Post. Repeat. says

      September 02, 2023 at 7:29 am

      5 stars
      How will you use this basil simple syrup? I'd love to hear!

      Reply

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    A pale yellow syrup in a clear glass pitcher sits on green fabric next to basil leaves. A white box at the bottom of the image contains the words, "fragrant basil simple syrup" and "Plan. Eat. Post. Repeat."
    A pale green cocktail in a coupe glass sits on a green tray near a cocktail shaker, basil leaves, lime slices, and a pitcher of a pale yellow syrup.

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