Basil Lemonade - cooking recipe

Ingredients

1/2 cup rinsed lightly packed fresh basil leaf
3 tablespoons sugar
4 cups water
1/2 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
1 sprig fresh basil

Preparation

In a 1 1/2 to 2 Qt glass bowl, combine basil leaves and sugar.
With a wooden spoon, crush leaves with sugar until thoroughly bruised;
add water and lemon juice,
Stir until sugar is dissolved, about 2 minutes;
Taste and add more sugar if desired.
Pour through a strainer into ice-filled glasses.
Garnish with sprigs of fresh basil.
*Note:The type of basil you use will contribute to the'personality' of this drink.
Dark purple basil tints the lemonade pink and has a milder flavor than green varieties.
Lemon basil adds a lemon-drop essence.
Cinnamon and Thai basils make this more spicy.