Lemon Basil! I discovered this in my CSA box and was so pleased! It smells amazing and tastes great in salads and as a water enhancer. It was also a pleasing addition to this refreshing lemonade. The combination of cucumber and lemon basil in this drink makes it a grown up lemonade, and I wouldn’t tell if you added a little gin (or vodka!) to it too. 
Cucumber and Lemon Basil Lemonade
Ingredients:
1/2 c. lemon basil leaves (you can substitute regular basil, mint would also be a lovely addition)
1/2 cucumber, sliced
1 c. sugar
1 c. water
1 c. fresh squeezed lemon juice
3 c. cold water
Directions:
Place the sugar and basil in a small saucepan and muddle with the end of a wooden spoon to bruise the leaves and release the scent. Add the water and the sliced cucumber and turn the burner on medium low. Stir and heat until the sugar is dissolved and the water is warmed.
Allow to cool to room temperature, and steep for up to an hour for a stronger flavor.
Put the lemon juice and water in a pitcher and add the strained simple syrup. Start by adding about half and add more to your preferred level of sweetness.
Serve over ice. If keeping over night, add some lemon, cucumber, and basil to the pitcher to enhance the flavor. Enjoy!
Be Happy! 
I have been making a honey-ginger sparkling lemonade with rosemary ALL summer long… maybe I need to branch out with this one. YUM!
I know! That was part of my inspiration to add the basil in there.
Really! So awesome!
Amazing! Pass the gin please, but hold the cucumber… I hate that stuff. Lemon basil is so amazing, but you should try lemon thyme – hands down one of the best herbs in the world…
Lemon and thyme are two of my favorite flavors. No further convincing needed.
I love my cucumber water so cucumber lemonade sounds refreshing! http://www.glitzgirlzglamourguide.com
Put a little bit of Tequilla in mine!
Tequila is probably my top choice as well! I’m not a huge fan of gin but I think the flavors would all work nicely, if you were so inclined.
The Virgin Version sounds great. But Tequila– heh-heh!– just pushes the needle on the Evil-Meter into the red zone!
I’m thinking that as a pre-dinner aperetif, this might also benefit from a splash or two of prosecco or cava…
Oh, I think prosecco is a great idea! Yum!
Sounds fantastic! I love how basil just adds a sophistication to everything you add it to!
Looks like a tasty drink, kind of what they serve at the spa, very relaxing and refreshing
Thanks! It’s quite refreshing. Even better if you serve it with a slice of cucumber in the glass.
I have made this lovely drink & my husband Peter & I loved it so much!
So good!
I’m so glad you enjoyed it!
I have a serious addiction to fresh basil. I eat it 3 times a day…..and now, I can drink it too! Have you tried it in smoothies, with nectarines and coconut milk? Fabulous.
That sounds fabulous! I have a lot of basil at home … I must try that!
I just got home from work and made a basil lemon smoothie. Other ingredients….one carrot, small spoon of almond butter, small spoon of coconut cream, some coconut milk, and…..I finished it with sparkling water, which really made it taste light and lively. Thanks again for the lemon basil heads-up.
Glad I could spark your creativity.
love this so fresh so hydrating.. thanks for sharing..!1
That looks so refreshing!