This blushing water is summer party worthy
Water is infused with basil and watermelon (and maybe just a hint of gin)
When you want something more flavourful than water to quench your thirst and you’d like to keep it healthful, on an ordinary day it does the trick to just plop a few sliced berries, citrus wedges or chunks of melon into your water bottle with a sprig of mint.
But for occasions such as holiday weekend gatherings, this beautiful blush beverage is the answer. It takes a little more effort than a basic infused water, but the look and taste are well worth it.
First you make a fresh herb tea by crushing and steeping basil leaves in boiling water. Then you purée chunks of watermelon in a blender, and strain the purée to extract the vibrant pink juice.
The watermelon liquid and the basil tea are then combined in a pitcher with a brightening touch of lime juice.
The drink is delicious just like that, but it is more of a punch that way (which, I suspect, would be darn good spiked with some gin).
To make it a super-quenching, low-calorie flavoured water, you dilute it further with more fresh water. I suggest adding two more cups of water and serving it over ice, but you can dilute it as much or as little as you like.
Once you get the basic formula down, you can play with the fruit and herb combinations; berries, cherries or grapes along with sage, mint or rosemary all work well to make this fresh take on a refreshing drink.
WATERMELON-BASIL FLAVOURED WATER
Serves 6 (6-7 cups/1.5-1.75 L) Make ahead: Can be refrigerated up to two days in advance; stir before serving.
1/2 cup (125 mL) packed fresh basil leaves, plus some small leaves, for garnish
Place the 1/2 cup (125 mL) of basil leaves in a small pot or heatproof mug and pour the cup of boiling water over them. Use a muddler or the handle of a wooden spoon to crush the basil leaves. Let steep and cool for 15 minutes.
Meanwhile, combine the watermelon and 2 cups (500 mL) of the cold water in a blender; purée until smooth. Strain through a fine-mesh strainer into a large pitcher, and discard the solids.
Strain/discard the basil leaves from their water, then add the liquid to the pitcher, along with the remaining 2 cups (500 mL) of cold water and the lime juice, and stir.
Serve over ice; garnish with basil leaves and lime slices.
1 cup (250 mL) boiling water
4 cups (1 L) cubed seeded or seedless watermelon
4 cups (1 L) cold water
2 tsp (10 mL) fresh lime juice, plus thinly sliced wheels or halfmoon slices of lime, for garnish