Thai Basil Limeade
A fragrant, aromatic limeade made with Thai basil — more anise and spice than its Italian cousin.
Base
none
Glassware
Highball glass
Flavor Profile
sourherbalrefreshing
Ingredients
- 6 fresh Thai basil leaves, plus a sprig to garnish
- 1 oz fresh lime juice
- 0.75 oz simple syrup
- Soda water, to top
Instructions
- 1Gently slap Thai basil leaves between your palms to release the oils, then place in a shaker.
- 2Add lime juice and simple syrup with ice.
- 3Shake briefly, then strain into an ice-filled highball glass.
- 4Top with soda water and garnish with a Thai basil sprig.
Origin & Story
Southeast Asia, modern era
Thai basil's unique flavor — cloves, anise, and pepper, quite different from Italian basil — makes it a compelling ingredient in cold drinks. Bangkok's rooftop bars and London's Southeast Asian restaurant scene helped popularize it in mocktail form, and it turns an ordinary limeade into something genuinely unexpected.
Compare with similar cocktails
Thai Basil Limeade vs Virgin MojitoThai Basil Limeade vs Cranberry Rosemary SpritzThai Basil Limeade vs Lebanese Mint Lemonade
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