Homemade Lemonade with Honey and Basil (In a Thermomix or a Jug)

This is how I make lemonade at home, and I make it a lot. One lemon, one litre of water, something sweet and, when I have it, a few leaves of basil. I usually do it in my Thermomix because it’s done in seconds, but a jug and a spoon work just as well.

It isn’t really a recipe so much as a ratio you can remember: one lemon to one litre of water. From there you change it to your taste, sweeter, sharper, with honey or sugar, with basil or mint.

What you need

• One lemon. Roll it on the counter before cutting and it gives more juice.
• One litre of cold water. Still or sparkling, both work.
• Sugar or honey. Start with two tablespoons and taste. Honey gives a rounder, softer sweetness.
• Basil (optional). A few leaves make it taste fresh and a little different. Mint works the same way.

Homemade Lemonade with Honey and Basil

One lemon, one litre of water, sugar or honey to taste and a few basil leaves.

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Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Total Time 5 minutes mins

Servings: 4 glasses

Course: Drinks

Cuisine: European

Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients

  

• 1 lemon juiced
• 1 litre cold water about 4 cups
• 2-3 tbsp sugar or honey to taste
• 4-5 fresh basil leaves optional
• ice to serve

Method

 

1. Squeeze the lemon. Catch the seeds in a strainer or with your fingers.
2. In a Thermomix or blender: put the lemon juice, the sugar or honey, the basil leaves and a glass of the water in the bowl and blend for a few seconds, just until the sweetener dissolves and the basil is in small pieces. Add the rest of the water and stir.
3. In a jug: stir the sugar or honey into a little warm water until it dissolves. Bruise the basil leaves between your fingers or with the back of a spoon so they release their smell. Put everything in the jug with the lemon juice and the rest of the cold water and stir.
4. Taste, and add a little more lemon or sweetener if you want it sharper or sweeter.
5. Pour over ice and serve. Strain it first if you don’t want bits of basil in the glass.

Notes

Honey dissolves much better in a little warm water than in cold, so dissolve it first and then top up with cold water.

The lemonade keeps in a closed jug in the fridge for a day. The basil gets stronger the longer it sits.

Ways to change it

• Honey instead of sugar. Dissolve it in a little warm water first.
• Mint instead of basil. Same amount, same method.
• Sparkling lemonade. Mix the lemon, sweetener and basil with a glass of still water, then top up with sparkling water just before serving.
• A bigger batch. Keep the ratio: two lemons for two litres, and so on. Use the servings slider in the recipe card and the amounts change for you.

Questions people ask

How much lemon do I need for one litre of lemonade?

One lemon for one litre of water gives a light, refreshing lemonade. Use one and a half or two lemons if you like it sharper.

Can I make lemonade with honey instead of sugar?

Yes. Stir the honey into a little warm water so it dissolves completely, then add the lemon juice and the cold water.

Do I need a Thermomix?

No. A Thermomix or blender just mixes it faster and chops the basil. A jug and a spoon give you the same lemonade.