Chilly Basil Lemonade

This super-simple, refreshing drink is perfect on a hot summer day!
Chilly Basil Lemonade
What You'll Need
6 cups water
3 lemons (peeled, seeded, and chopped)
1/3 cup sugar* (or 1/3 cup agave syrup**)
1 cup basil leaves (fresh, not dried!)
2 cups ice cubes
You'll also need a blender!

What You'll Need to Do:
Place ice and water in a blender, and blend until crushed. Add the lemons, sugar, and basil, and blend for several minutes until well combined and desired consistency is reached. Enjoy!



Some Tips and Tricks
The recipe makes about 6 cups (good for hosting!), but you can cut it in half if you're looking to make enough for 1-2 people.

Hosting a summer dinner? Feel free to add some vodka in! About 1 shot per 8 oz. glass should do it. The flavor blends in quite smoothly with the lemonade.

*not all sugar is considered strictly vegan, see my "Vegan Pantry" page for more info

**Exactly what is agave syrup? Basically, it's a nectar extracted from the agave plant. It can be used as a substitute for sugar in most recipes, and while I've used it from time to time, it has its own drawbacks (The "healthfulness" of agave has been a subject of much debate in the natural foods community). But if you have some lying around, or prefer it over cane sugar, it's a nice option for this recipe.