Fresh from the Garden: Basil Simple Syrup Recipe
Trust me, once you try it, you are going to want to make and add basil simple syrup to just about everything.
I love picking fresh herbs from my little garden and using them into my cooking. It makes me feel self-sufficient, like an urban farmer. Of all the herbs in my garden, none is used more than basil. Its fresh taste and versatility make it ideal for so many different dishes. Pasta, tacos, pesto, bread, paletas — I can literally use it every day. Plus it has a delicious fragrance.
Basil grows well in South Texas, either inside or outside. And if well cared for, basil can really blossom and turn into a hearty bush. You can find a small plant for as little as $2.99 at HEB or any nursery.
It may sound odd at first, but basil can be delicious in sweet treats. One of the ways to add this unexpected flavor to sweet foods is through a simple syrup. The basil gives the simple syrup a fresh, fragrant, green herbal flavor. And, you can use it for so many things like cocktails, lemonades and other fruit drinks or paletas.
They don’t call it simple for nothin’. It takes minutes to make and the recipe couldn’t be easier. Here’s how to do it.
You Will Need:
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 cup water
- 1 cup basil leaves
How-To:
Combine all the ingredients in a small stove-top pot. Simmer and stir occasionally until all the sugar has dissolved into the water. The basil will bruise a little and lose some of its volume.
When the sugar has dissolved completely and the syrup is fragrant, remove from heat. Let it cool slightly and then remove all the basil leaves.
Let it cool completely before using.
