HomeGrown Basil Lemonade!

With Summer upon us I figured I'd share one of my FAVE recipes!  Check out the original post  for an additional sweeter version.

What do you do when life gives you extra Basil?
Make Basil Lemonade!  I didn't use a recipe and I didn't use much sugar.  This is a great recipe to use any extra basil cuttings or even basil flowers.  I'm going to include my instructions plus an additional recipe for something a bit sweeter.

Basil Lemonade

I like things simple!  I have a variety of jars but for this recipe I used large, wide-mouth Ball jars (quart size) and empty Mason jars (24 ounce?) from pasta sauce.
2 jars have Purple Opal Basil and 2 have Fine Verde Basil.

Ingredients:
Basil: 3-5 long sprigs per jar
Lemons: 1/2 a lemon, sliced, per jar
Sugar / Honey: 1-2 tablespoon per jar (or use stevia)
Water

Directions:
Place appropriate amount of water in a large pot and boil.  While you wait, add the Basil, Lemons and Sugar to each jar.

Once your water has boiled, pour into filled jars.  Let the jars cool until you can handle them.  Screw the tops onto your jars and place in the fridge.  Wait about an hour and shake up the jars then put back into the fridge.  Lemonade should be ready in 6-12 hours depending on how strong you like it.

AND...I announced a 2 For 1 Seed Pack special at Mary's Heirloom Seeds so YOU can grow your own! Through June 18th!

Sharing this refreshing post HERE and the Creative HomeAcre Hop.

Hot Wassail from Our Best Bites

A few months ago I won a giveaway at Let Them Eat Cake.  A week later this fantastic cookbook arrived at my doorstep.  It's been a hectic few moths so I'm finally sitting down to try a few of the recipes.


Savoring the Seasons With Our Best Bites has 4 sections for 
4 seasons.  The recipes look fantastic!  I chose wassail because the hubs tells me his mom used to make it.  Side note: I know I call him "the hubs" that but it'll be OFFICIAL this Friday!!!

Hot Wassail
Ingredients:
4 cups water
1 cup sugar
2 cinnamon sticks
3/4 teaspoon ground cloves
3 cups pineapple juice
3 cups orange juice
3 cups lemonade

Directions
Combine water, sugar, cinnamon and cloves.  Simmer, covered, for 30 minutes and let sit for 1 hour.  This step can be done 3 days ahead of time.

Add pineapple juice, orange juice and lemonade.  
Heat and serve.

After reading the recipe I realized that it's nothing like what the hubs described but I'll make it anyway.  This recipe is much healthier!