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    Home » Recipes » Simple Syrups

    Easy Basil Simple Syrup Recipe for Cocktails and Mocktails

    Modified: Mar 20, 2025 · Published: Aug 22, 2023 by Katy McAvoy

    I love when you share my recipes!

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    Easy Basil Simple Syrup.

    Fragrant basil is a very versatile herb that we're pairing with sugar for this delicious basil simple syrup recipe. It takes minutes to make and is a great way to sweeten and bring fresh basil flavor to your summer cocktails and mocktails.

    A jar of basil simple syrup.
    Jump to:
    • What's in Basil Syrup
    • How to Make Basil Simple Syrup (Step by Step)
    • How to Use Basil Simple Syrup
    • Looking for other Simple Syrups to Make with Herbs? 
    • How long will Basil Syrup last? 
    • Want to make more flavored Simple Syrups? 
    • More Delicious Recipes You’ll Love 
    • Print the Recipe Card
    • Easy Basil Simple Syrup Recipe

    This basil syrup is made with simple ingredients that are easy to find at the grocery store or farmers market. Buy fresh basil or pick your own basil from a basil plant in your garden or porch pot.

    I love growing basil in my herb garden every summer! I make simple syrup out of so many of the herbs that I grow. 

    Basil syrup brings a wonderful addition of flavor to many alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks. It pairs well with fresh fruit - especially berries and citrus - and is an easy way to add flavor to your favorite summer treats like lemonade, ice tea, or fruit salad. 

    You can vary the flavor of your syrup by using different types of basil. Sweet basil is the easiest to find here in Michigan and what is readily available in stores, though purple basil, cinnamon basil, Thai basil, and lemon basil would all be delicious varieties to use in this sweet herbal syrup recipe. 

    What's in Basil Syrup

    Ingredients for basil simple syrup - water, sugar, fresh basil.
    • Sugar - Use white sugar (either cane sugar or beet sugar) for this recipe. Choosing any other sugar will change the flavor of the syrup. 
    • Fresh Basil - Use only fresh basil for this recipe. Do not use dried basil. 
    • Water

    How to Make Basil Simple Syrup (Step by Step)

    Sugar being poured into a small pot.

    Bring water to a simmer in a small saucepan over medium heat. Add sugar and stir until sugar has dissolved. 

    Basil leaves being dropped into a pot.

    Remove from heat. Add basil leaves and let steep until the mixture has come to room temperature. 

    A hand holding a fork lifting dripping basil leaves out of the syrup.

    Remove basil leaves using a fork or fine mesh sieve. 

    Basil simple syrup being poured from a pot into a mason jar.

    Pour basil syrup into a glass, airtight container - like a bottle or mason jar. 

    Cover and place in the refrigerator. Chill completely before using. 

    A jar of basil simple syrup on a small plate.

    How to Use Basil Simple Syrup

    • Use in place of traditional simple syrup in my Frozen Strawberry Daiquiri mocktails. 
    • Stir up a pitcher of my refreshing Strawberry Basil Lemonade made with fresh, ripe strawberries.
    • Make Basil Lemonade - In a tall glass, combine 2 oz basil syrup with 1 oz fresh lemon juice. Fill the glass with ice cubes. Top with club soda or sparkling water. Stir, sip and enjoy!
    • Shake up a Basil Gimlet - Get my recipe for a refreshing Basil Gimlet.
    • Make my Strawberry Basil Prosecco Cocktail.

    Looking for other Simple Syrups to Make with Herbs? 

    Fresh herbs make delicious infused simple syrup for all kinds of drinks. Try my lavender simple syrup in these Lavender Lemon Drop Martinis. Or make fresh mint simple syrup for the best iced tea sweetener ever! 

    A jar filled with mint simple syrup.

    How long will Basil Syrup last? 

    When stored in the refrigerator, basil simple syrup will keep for 2-3 weeks. Discard it immediately if it becomes cloudy or you notice any change in color. 

    Looking down on an open mason jar of basil syrup.

    Want to make more flavored Simple Syrups? 

    Some of my favorite flavored simple syrups are the easiest to make! Try my 5 minute vanilla simple syrup recipe or easy cinnamon syrup recipe, both perfect for sweetening hot or iced coffee, tea, and hot chocolate. 

    A small jar of vanilla simple syrup.
    Vanilla Simple Syrup

    More Delicious Recipes You’ll Love 

    • Easy Mocktail Recipes for Non-Alcoholic Drinks
    • Quick and Easy Bacon Avocado Pasta
    • Fresh Strawberry Gin Cocktail with Ginger Beer
    • Non Alcoholic Blueberry Grapefruit Mocktail
    • Quick BBQ Chicken Flatbread Pizza on the Grill

    Print the Recipe Card

    A jar of basil simple syrup.

    Easy Basil Simple Syrup Recipe

    Katy McAvoy
    Basil simple syrup is easy to make and provides fresh, herbal flavor to a variety of cocktails and mocktails, including lemonade and iced tea.
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Recipe SaveSaved! Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 2 minutes mins
    Cook Time 5 minutes mins
    Total Time 7 minutes mins
    Servings 12 oz

    Equipment

    • Fine Mesh Strainer
    • Glass Bottles
    • Small Saucepan

    Ingredients
      

    • 1 cup sugar
    • 1 cup water
    • 1 cup fresh basil leaves 10-12 large leaves

    Instructions
     

    • Bring water to a simmer in a small saucepan over medium heat.
    • Add sugar and stir until the sugar dissolves. Remove from heat.
    • Add basil leaves and let steep until the mixture has come to room temperature.
    • Remove basil leaves using a fork or fine mesh strainer.
    • Pour basil syrup into a glass, airtight container - like a bottle or mason jar.
    • Cover and place in the refrigerator. Let the syrup cool completely before using.
    • When stored in the refrigerator, basil syrup will keep for 2-3 weeks.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1ounceCalories: 65kcalCarbohydrates: 17gProtein: 0.1gFat: 0.1gSaturated Fat: 0.001gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.01gMonounsaturated Fat: 0.002gSodium: 1mgPotassium: 6mgFiber: 0.03gSugar: 17gVitamin A: 106IUVitamin C: 0.4mgCalcium: 4mgIron: 0.1mg
    Tried this recipe?Let me know how it was!

    I love when you share my recipes!

    69 shares

    About Katy McAvoy

    Katy is the author, photographer, home cook, mixologist, and Michigander behind MittenGirl.com and Homemade Happy Hour. Since 2017, she's been crafting recipes for easy-to-make cocktails and delicious snacks while sharing her love of all things Michigan (a.k.a. The Mitten)!

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    Katy McAvoy, mixologist and photographer

    Hi! I’m Katy (she/her). I’m an author, photographer, home cook, mixologist, Michigander, and lover of all things food and drink. I never turn down a good happy hour and believe that everyone deserves a delicious drink. Follow me on Instagram to check out what I’m working on next!

    More about me →

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