Sparkling Blueberry Basil Lemonade with Fresh Berries

Combine the blueberries, sugar and water in a saucepan and simmer for 6 to 8 minutes until the berries burst.

Serves 4

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups fresh blueberries, plus more for garnish
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup water
• 8 fresh basil leaves, plus sprigs for garnish
• 3/4 cup fresh lemon juice
• 2 cups cold sparkling water
• Ice cubes
• Lemon wheels, for garnish

Instructions

1. Combine the blueberries, sugar and water in a saucepan and simmer for 6 to 8 minutes until the berries burst.
2. Add the basil leaves off the heat and let them steep for 5 minutes to infuse the syrup.
3. Strain the blueberry-basil syrup, pressing to extract all the juice, and chill until cold.
4. Stir the fresh lemon juice into the chilled blueberry syrup.
5. Fill four tall glasses with ice and a few fresh blueberries.
6. Divide the blueberry-basil lemonade base among the glasses.
7. Top each with cold sparkling water, stir gently, and garnish with a lemon wheel and a basil sprig.
8. Lemonade is the quintessential American summer refresher, and folding in deep-purple blueberries and fragrant basil turns a porch-stand staple into something bright and garden-fresh. Naturally red-white-and-blue in spirit, this sparkling, alcohol-free cooler is a festive pour that kids and grown-ups can share at the Fourth of July cookout.

Nutrition (estimated, per serving)

• Calories: 130 kcal
• Protein: 1g
• Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 33g
• Fiber: 2g
• Sugar: 28g
• Sodium: 10mg