Basil Shikanjavi/Shikanji or Basil Lemonade, Lemonade made with basil simple syrup. Make your favorite summer drink Shikanjavi with Basil Simple Syrup.
Perk up your summers and parties with this refreshing Lemonade
About the Recipe
Here I bring you desi Nimbu Paani with Basil flavor, Basil Shikanjavi/Shikanji or Basil Lemonade. A refreshing summer drink with goodness of lemons and basil!! And why niot only summers.
Serve it with chilled water or soda/sparkling water asa. refreshing mocktail at your Diwali, Holi, thanksgiving parties.
Don't let your bunch of basil go waste!!
Basil flavored Nimbu Paani or Lemonade is one of the many ways to use fresh basil leaves. Many times it happens that we get fresh basil leaves from store and as the shelf life is very small, these start turning black and lose aroma if not used within first few days. So I make this Basil Simple Syrup and use it in making lemonade or other sweet fruit drinks.
Lemonade flavored with Basil Syrup has become a favorite drink in house. Squeeze in some lemon and add the syrup as per the sweetness you like then add water or soda as per your preference!! and sip on the lemony freshness with hint of basil flavor.
What is Shikanji/Shikanjavi
Lemonade in India is know as Shikanjavi or Shikanji or Nimbu Paani.
Nimbu is Lemons in Hindi language. It is one of the most popular and cheapest form of summer cooler.
Made with fresh lemons, serve in chilled with added spices like black pepper, black salt or roasted cumin seeds. Many people also use homemade or store bought masala(spice mix) for the enhancing the flavor.
Shikanji is both made in sweet and salty flavors. As a kid I always loved the sweet version with a pinch of masala added to it. Sugar is used as a sweeter, now these days many people have started adding honey to avoid white sugar. My kids also like the sweet version and it is one of their favorite summer drinks.
Lime or Lemon for Lemonade to make Basil Shikanjavi/Shikanji
You can use Lime or Lemon to make this Lemonade. I prefer to use limes that are available here in US, as the taste of limes is much like the Indian lemons. Indian lemons are much smaller in size as compared to the ones we get in US.
Health Benefits of Lime and Basil
Limes or Lemons are rich sources of Vit. C and antioxidants. Since ages these have been used for medicinal purposes. One of the best detox drinks when mixed with water and honey. cleanse the system and give glowing skin.
Basil is also a rich source of antioxidants and excellent source of Vitamin A . It promotes blood flow and is used in aromatherapy(Source online).
Lime and Basil together in this refreshing cooling drink, not only cools down the body but also has several health benefits.
Ingredients to make Basil Lemonade
For Basil Lemonade/Shikanji: Basil simple syrup flavored syrup, lemons/lime and chilled water. When serving to your guests instead of water you can also use carbonated water, club soda or sparkling water.
For Basil Simple Syrup: Fresh Basil Leaves, Sugar, Water.
PS: Do not use dried basil leaves in the recipe.
How to make Basil Shikanji
Make Simple Basil Syrup
- 2 Simple steps and cooling refreshing drink is ready to sip.
- Wash the leaves gently under running water.
- Add equal parts of sugar and water in a pan. Once the sugar is dissolved and water starts to just boil, add basil leaves and boil for a minutes then switch off the flame.
- I like to blend the whole mixture with leaves, keep it for sometime so that the flavor of basil leaves is infused in mixture.
- Then filter it and keep it in refrigerator.
- You an also free the syrup in ice cube tray and use as required.
Make Basil Nimbu Paani or Basil Lemonade
To make Lemonade or Nimbu Paani, squeeze one whole lime one lemon in a glass, add basil syrup around 1/4 cup or as per the sweetness required, add water, ice cubes sip on the freshness!
You can also add cut or lightly muddled fruits like kiwis, strawberries or blueberries for an enhanced fruity taste.
Storage and Shelf Life
Basil Sugar Syrup stays good for about a week, refrigerate it.
You can also freeze the basil syrup in ice trays and then store in ziplocks.
To serve, add cubes as required in required amount of water,/soda/carbonated water/sparkling water, add lemon juice , add more fresh basil leaves and serve chilled with more ice cubes.
You can make ahead this Basil Lemonade before your guests arrive.
Recipes using Basil from the blog that you will definitely love to try
More fruity summer drinks from the blog
Jal Jeera, Watermelon Mint Cooler, Melon Basil Agus Fresca/Cooler, Mango Basil Summer Cooler, Green Apple Jal Jeera, Aam Panna, Virgin Pina Colada, Virgin Litchi Mojito, Peach Iced Tea, Mango Passion Fruit Iced Tea
Faqs
My favorite way to use it is in lemonades, ice teas or other fruity drinks where we need sugar syrup. You can also drizzle this on fruit salads, add in popsicle or granitas.
Do not want to use white sugar?? You can add honey to it. To make without sugar, boil water, then add basil leaves, boil for a minute and then let the flavor infuse, cool it add honey then store it after straining.
Vegans can use maple syrup or any other natural sweetener.
Recipe card for Basil Shikanjavi/Shikanjavi or Basil Lemonade
Basil Shikanji/Basil Lemonade
Equipment
- Pan
- Strainer
- Blender(optional)
- Mixing Spoons
Ingredients
For Basil Simple Syrup
- 2 Cup Water
- 1½ Cup Sugar
- 1 Cup Fresh Basil Leaves
For Lemonade
- 2 Lemons
- 1/4 Cup Basil Simple Syrup
- Water or Soda
Instructions
Make Basil Simple Syrup
- In a pan add water and sugar together.
- Switch on the gas stove, heat water and sugar mixture.
- When the mixture just let it boil for 1-2 mins. then add basil leaves.
- Let it boil for another 1 minute.
- Switch off the flame and let the flavor of basil leaves infuse in water sugar mixture.
- Once the mixture cools down, blend the mixture. This is optional.
- You can skip this step and directly strain the mixture.
- Strain the mixture after blending.
- Store it in an air-tight glass bottle or jar, use as required.
To make Shkanjavi/Lemonade
- In a glass ad the basil simple syrup,about 1/4 cup for a glass. Add chilled water ice-cubes. Add few slices of any fruit you like or simply serve the nimbu paani and enjoy!!
Also, whenever you try the recipe, I will love to hear/share your feedback or any queries in the comment section below. I will try to answer your queries as soon as possible.
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Swati
Preethicuisine
Basil Shikanji is so refreshing and thirst quenching. Absolute need of the hour to stay hydrated. I would love to have this glass right now.
Mayuri Patel
Swaty beautiful clicks as the basil shikanjavi looks so refreshing. I remember when my son was still in Hotel Management School, during his first holiday at home, he made for us a fresh basil drink. I loved it. I simply love the aroma and flavor of it.
Jollyhomemaderecipes
Basil lemonade sounds yummy and very refreshing flavors . This is such a delicious looking drink, Loved the basil and lemon combo, I must try this recipe.
Hem lata srivastava
Refreshing and perfect for upcoming season. Basil must give it nice aroma, love the presentation.
Super duper kitchen
Basil lemonade sounds flavourful, aromatic and refreshing drink. Summer is set and this is one of the best drink to refresh ourselves. Making Basil syrup and then the lemonade sounds easy too. Between loved the clicks. So inviting.
Swati
Thanks Niranjana!!
Martina Roy
This is very really unique helpful information. keep it up. Thank you so much!
tastyrecipesfrompooja
A nice version this is! I too love nimbu sherbet with roasted cumin powder in it! Sometimes I add crushed mint leaves if I have them!