Gelatin Free Whole30 Lemon Basil Cooler
Bright, herby, and genuinely refreshing, this lemon basil cooler is the kind of drink that makes you feel like you're sitting on a sun-drenched patio even on an ordinary Tuesday. Fresh basil gets muddled until fragrant, then shaken hard with real lemon juice and cold water before being strained over ice and finished with a splash of sparkling water — it's simple technique with a seriously impressive result. Every single ingredient here is naturally free of animal-derived thickeners and setting agents, so there's no need to scrutinize labels or swap anything out. That matters more than you'd think with store-bought beverages and flavored sparkling waters, which can sneak in unexpected additives. The combination of muddled herbs and fresh-squeezed citrus gives this drink a complexity that feels far more sophisticated than the short ingredient list suggests. Serve it immediately so the bubbles stay lively and the basil stays bright — a lemon slice and an extra leaf on top make it look like something straight off a restaurant menu.
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Learn more →Ingredients
2 servings
- 8 fresh basil leaves, plus more for garnish
- ½ cup fresh lemon juice (from about 4 lemons)
- 1 cup cold water
- 1 cup sparkling water, chilled
- 1 cup ice cubes
For serving
- 2 lemon slices, for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- 1
Place the basil leaves in a cocktail shaker or large mason jar. Muddle firmly with a muddler or the handle of a wooden spoon until the leaves are bruised and fragrant, about 10 seconds.
- 2
Add the lemon juice, cold water, and ice to the shaker. Seal and shake vigorously for 15 seconds, until the outside of the shaker feels cold.
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