What drink do you like to serve when you have guests? For many years we hosted Easter at our home. My husband has 6 siblings and my family has been in the same area for 6 generations, so what that means is – LOTS of people.
I figured out long ago that I could really save money if I made the drinks myself for these big family parties instead of filling up ice chests of store-bought drinks.
“What would it mean for our health if we drank delicious, medicinal healing beverages for our daily refreshment?”
This is a recipe that I came up with and people loved it!
Try out this crowd pleasing, refreshing basil ginger limeade that not only will your people love, but it’s packed with health benefits. This is a tried and true recipe that I’ve been serving for more than 2 decades to family, friends and to my students in class.
What are your go-to drinks when the feast takes place on your turf?
What do you think about trying this one?! This delicious drink is great for summer but you can also serve it warm in the winter.
See the whiteboard in this video? That is a (partial) list of all the healing benefits of ginger. Ginger is anti-inflammatory and helps keep away colds. Basil is the great digester; it is the perfect drink for feasts and potlucks, it will help you digest your meal!
One of the best ways to get herbs into your family is to get it into yummy tasting drinks. Do you eat healthy organic food, but maybe could use a little boost in creating healthy drinks? What would it mean for our health if we drank delicious, medicinal healing beverages for our daily refreshment?
Check out this video where I show you a few tricks for making delicious Basil Ginger Limeade and let me know what you think!
Ginger Basil Limeade
Ingredients
- 2 cups water
- 2 tbsp fresh, chopped basil
- 1 tbsp fresh grated ginger
- ½ cup honey
- ½ cup lime juice
Instructions
- Place ginger, basil and water into a pot with a lid on it. I use stainless steel Revere pots; glass and enamel pots also work well
- Bring water and herbs just barely to a boil and then immediately turn off the fire
- Let basil and ginger steep for 1-2 hours
- Using a metal strainer, remove the herbs from the tea
- Gently re-heat tea and add honey
- Add lime juice and garnish
- Drink warm in the winter or chilled for a great summer refreshment
- The shelf life of this tea is about two days if kept covered in the refrigerator
This looks sooo good. I will make it when i get home.
Hi Kami, thanks so much for this information. I love water but didn’t know what to do or why drinking water often just goes straight through me! My taste buds called for something in the water besides chemicals from store bought drinks which I don’t buy. I’m now harvesting and preparing more herbs from my garden for drinks – hot and cold. Dried herbs and herb tea bags don’t cut it for me either at the moment.
Can’t wait to try this! Heading to store in morning to get everything!
thanks!
Enjoy!
Hello. I loved this. Can I make more batches and freeze it? It won’t be long until a good frost ends the fresh basil.
Rhonda
Sure. You can also try a new drink for Fall.
Sounds refreshing & delicious on this hot summer August day! Thanks for sharing!
Thank you so much for sharing this recipe, it sounds wonderful
Been making something similar, but it never occured to me to add basil to it, even though it’s still growing right outside my kitchen door! Thanks for the inspiration!
SO YUMMY!!
I know that a little sweetness is need to counter the Basil/Ginger, but a half a cup? Maybe sweet to taste
I also thought it would be too sweet and went with 2 Tbsp instead of 1/2 cup. Tasted great.
Kami – Is all that honey for the medicinal properties or more so that people will drink the tea?
All of my recipes are meant to be played with, go ahead and experiment! There are medicinal benefits to honey, and it can win people over who are used to sweeter drinks.
Can you substitute dried herbs for fresh if out of season?
Sure, try it…use half as much dried as fresh (in general)
This is one of my all time favourites! I love it hot in the winter too! You have inspired me to make this week!
Enjoy!
Can you make this same herb combination with lemon instead?
Yes, feel free to change up the recipe, lemon is fine
thank you, I will try this on my book club group this week
Thankyou ☕
Thankyou ☕
Kami, you are an awesome teacher!! I love all the info you provide. This recipe sounds really good to me! Going to try it this weekend.
You added lavender as a garnish would it be just as yummy if lavender was added to the process. It sounds like it would be.😊😊😊
yes, add lavender, the recipe is just to get you inspired
My kids gulped this in one sitting. Definitely doubling up!
I am with you on too sweet but I did add some soda water to it, and it added sparkle and lessened the sweetness👍🏻 Love it thanks💕
This sounds soooo delicious. My family loves basil and ginger.
I really like the way you make herbal use so easy and no fuss.
This is really delicious, it is a favorite in our household!
Thank you, Kami. When I saw you making this, I thought, “That would make a soothing warm drink.” I’m so glad you mentioned that it WOULD. I’m putting basil on my list (out of season here, but fresh ORGANIC in the market!) and will be enjoying this soon. Happy and Healthy New Year.
You are welcome!, Yes, lemon and lime aids are so good warm!
really appreciate the simplicity and tastiness of your creations! and ‘kid approved’ to boot 🙂
Thanks for the sharing this nice and helpful article.. very nice information.. Thanks again..
Sounds like a wonderful combo! I bet the ginger gives the limeade a nice kick. 🙂
Going and make this now. Can’t wait to taste it!
Look delicious! I would never have thought of this combination!
This sounds delish. Going to try it this weekend. Any thoughts on sweetening it with stevia?Kr
Really like this. Sounds cool and refreshing. My small basil plant might have enough leaves to make this one. Thanks for sharing
Hello there your recipes are wonderful Kami but, I am unable to have sweetener such as honey or sugar. I am however able to have Xylitol, would I be able to substitute that or stevia?
Hi Estelle, Stevia and xylitol are both great sweeteners, yes!