Basil Lime Spritzer

A refreshing way to celebrate summer and basil season!

For the Basil Lime Syrup:

1 cup sugar

Zest of 1 lime, removed in strips with vegetable peeler

½ cup lime juice

¼ cup water

1 cup loosely packed fresh basil

For the Spritzer

2 Tbsp basil lime syrup

Sparkling water

Basil sprig, for garnish

To make the syrup:

Bring the sugar, lime zest, juice and water to a boil. Stir until the sugar is dissolved. Remove from heat and let syrup cool for 15 minutes.

Discard the zest and transfer the syrup to a blender. Add the basil. Blend for 20 seconds.

Wet a paper towel and squeeze out the excess moisture. Use the paper towel to line a fine-meshed sieve. Pour the syrup through the lined sieve and allow to fully cool.

To make the spritzer:

Pour 2 Tbsp of the lime-basil syrup into an ice-filled glass. Top with sparkling water and garnish with the basil sprig.