Refreshing Lemongrass, with zingy ginger and some fresh basil leaves, together with brown sugar, makes a delicious syrup which can uplift any drink. Pour some sparkling water and hydrate yourself or use it in a cocktail. It takes 15 minutes to make the syrup and then the Lemongrass Basil Spritzer is all about adding ice cubes, some lemon juice if you like and sparkling water.
Lemongrass Basil Spritzer
I had first made Lemongrass Basil Spritzer in 2013 and today when I made it again, I felt the need to give this old post and uplift with better photos.
Back in Spring my friend gave me a lemon grass plant and all these while I let it grow as I was worried if it will even survive. As of today, it’s growing wild, and I have started to use the leaves to make my tea.
To prepare this Lemongrass and Ginger Syrup, I used the woody stalk and the leaves too.
Ingredients for the Lemongrass Ginger Syrup
- Lemongrass (both stalk and leaves)
- Fresh ginger
- Fresh Basil Leaves
- Brown Sugar
- Water
Just 5 ingredients is all you need. You can definitely substitute brown sugar with jaggery or coconut sugar if you like.
Once you make the syrup, strain and let it cool down before you make the Lemongrass Basil Spritzer.
What substitute can you use for Lemongrass?
The refreshing flavor of the Lemongrass Basil Spritzer comes mainly from lemongrass. But if you absolutely cannot find it, use lemon peels or lemon leaves. But you have to be careful as some variety lemon leaves when cooked for long can give a bitter aftertaste.
Can you store the Lemon Basil Spritzer
A good syrup comes very handy as you can make in advance and store in the refrigerator for few days.
The spritzer uses sparkling water, so I would suggest that keep everything ready before you guests arrive and add the sparkling water later.
Even with plain water, it tastes quite refreshing.
Enjoy this summer drink while we are still enjoying the warm weather.
Try more drinks recipes

Lemongrass Basil Spritzer
Refreshing Lemongrass, with zingy ginger and some fresh basil leaves, together with brown sugar, makes a delicious syrup which can uplift any drink. Pour some sparkling water and hydrate yourself or use it in a cocktail. It takes 15 minutes to make the syrup and then the Lemongrass Basil Spritzer is all about adding ice cubes, some lemon juice if you like and sparkling water.
Ingredients
for the syrup
- 1 and 1/2 cup water
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1 inch fresh ginger , pounded
- 2 stalks lemon grass, roughly chopped
- 10 fresh basil leaves.
for the spritzer
- lemon wedges
- sparkling water
- ice cubes
- lemon juice (optional)
Instructions
- In a deep pan, add all ingredients for the syrup and bring it to a boil. Allow it to simmer at medium heat for 15 minutes.
- Switch off the heat, cover the pan and allow it to cool down completely. Once cooled to room temperature, strain and store it in an airtight bottle.
- To make the spritzer, drop some ice cubes in a glass, pour some syrup, followed by sparkling water and some lemon wedges. You can add lemon juice too.
Notes
What substitute can you use for Lemongrass?
The refreshing flavor of the Lemongrass Basil Spritzer comes mainly from lemongrass. But if you absolutely cannot find it, use lemon peels or lemon leaves. But you have to be careful as some variety lemon leaves when cooked for long can give a bitter aftertaste.
Comments are closed.
Alla
June 17, 2013 at 9:52 PMahhh this looks perfect for the ‘heat wave’ we’re about to have in the Netherlands. 🙂
Vishakha
June 17, 2013 at 10:19 PMI love lemongrass based drinks. What a beautiful flavour combo u’ve suggested!:) Gorgeous photography as always!
Laura (Tutti Dolci)
June 17, 2013 at 10:38 PMWhat a refreshing spritzer, and I love the flavors! (Those striped straws are too cute :))
Rosa
June 17, 2013 at 11:05 PMA delightfully refreshing drink! Wonderfully summery.
Cheers,
Rosa
IshitaUnblogged
June 17, 2013 at 11:29 PMLove the font and the ‘playful’ way you’ve written spritzer! A very unusually ‘light’ post – most of your styling is so dark and bright. Loving it nevertheless!
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June 17, 2013 at 11:29 PMI’m yet to try lemongrass in a beverage. Sounds like a refreshing drink. Beautiful pictures as always.
Simone
June 17, 2013 at 11:31 PMThat looks perfect for the not weather coming up… Apparently today and tomorrow it’s gonna be ridiculously hot all of a sudden so I’m guessing we could do with some refreshing drinks!
Sarvani (baker in di
June 18, 2013 at 12:04 AMkankana, a couple of months back, I had made a ginger lime syrup.. which was lovely.. the bottle is almost over.. am bookmarking your variation to try once it’s over!! looks lovely!
Lizzy (Good Things)
June 18, 2013 at 12:41 AMHow delicious and perfect for the summer!
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June 18, 2013 at 1:13 AMA perfect summer drink!
PeachThePeachKitchen
June 18, 2013 at 3:11 AMThis sounds totally refreshing!I love the flavor combination.
Elvira
June 18, 2013 at 3:46 AMSuch a summer-y drink and the lemongrass touch is just perfect!
Cookin Canuck
June 18, 2013 at 4:51 AMWhat a beautiful summertime drink! I love the idea of having a bottle of this syrup in the fridge, just waiting to be made into a refreshing spritzer.
jehanne
June 18, 2013 at 6:32 AMBeautiful! Kankana, you are a genius..only today I thought what could I possibly do with a drying lemongrass..et voila! I have ginger, now I need to get some fresh basil and pretend its summer here too 🙂
Little Kitchie
June 18, 2013 at 6:33 AMThis sounds SO refreshing! I love the combination of ginger and basil!
Shema George
June 18, 2013 at 7:27 AMWhenever I see a new mail in my inbox from you, I am always excited as I know I will find some interesting recipes and beautiful pictures. Like always I was glad to see your new post-the flavor combo here is amazing !!
Nusrat Azim
June 18, 2013 at 7:55 AMNothing sounds more refreshing, cooler and prettier than this drink of yours to beat the summer heat !
Mallika
June 18, 2013 at 8:02 AMYou have magic wand in your hands to create such stunning clicks! Beautiful lemongrass basil spritzer!
Ash- foodfashionpart
June 18, 2013 at 8:48 AMWow, that’s intense flavor in your spritzer. Would be such a good conversation starter. Your pics are amazing.
nipponnin
June 18, 2013 at 9:19 AMBeautiful pictures! I thought I have to go to store to get lemongrass first…Oh! I could substitute with lemon peel? Nice recipe. I’m sure it’s keeper.
Eileen
June 18, 2013 at 10:25 AMThis sounds like the most refreshing drink! O bet the ginger-lemongrass syrup would be pretty great in a cocktail or two as well… 🙂
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June 18, 2013 at 10:37 AMsend me a jug? This sounds so refreshing. I’m surely trying it once I’m back to kuwait. Oh and you have great eye for fonts xo
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June 18, 2013 at 11:16 AMGorgeous photos Kankana!! Gets the message of refreshing across, so beautifully!!!
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June 18, 2013 at 1:38 PMThe photographs as always are so beautiful! Love the spritzer and I think it will be perfect this weekend for a picnic!
Liren
June 18, 2013 at 3:25 PMI adore ginger and lemongrass together, and this drink is such an eye catcher, Kankana. If I had a glass right now, it would most definitely help me ease into summer!
Grandbaby Cakes
June 18, 2013 at 6:11 PMI feel refreshed just looking at this. Looks so gorgeous!
sowmya
June 18, 2013 at 8:47 PMRefreshing drinks.. lovely pics !! Glad to follow u 🙂
carey
June 19, 2013 at 4:53 AMOh my! This looks and sounds so delicious. I think lemongrass has got to be one of the most refreshing flavors. Add some herbal basil and a bite of ginger, and that’s pretty much summer drink heaven! (:
Anita Menon
June 19, 2013 at 6:57 AMGorgeous , gorgeous photos!
Reem
June 19, 2013 at 11:50 AMLove! !!!
Summer sure is in full swing. This is the last week of the school for kids .. I’m sure it’s gonna be a long summer. .lol
Beautiful photography babe. . I’m loving it as always.
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June 19, 2013 at 3:28 PMHow fun! We just made some lemongrass mojito over the weekend too. I’m hooked with fresh mint leaves in summer drinks at the moment, but basil sounds like a great idea. When the basils are ready in the garden, I’ll definitely give this a try. Nothing beats a refreshing spritzers. Enjoy your summer, Kankana!
Kiran
June 19, 2013 at 7:59 PMThis looks amazingly refreshing!! Love the use of lemongrass in this spritzer. So summery and great flavors 🙂
Nami JustOneCookbook
June 19, 2013 at 10:35 PMI love both ginger and lemongrass and my mouth water immediately when I started reading this post. It’s a natural reaction! I would love to make this! I’ll be in very humid weather soon and will count on this drink this summer. 🙂
Shumaila
June 22, 2013 at 11:34 AMI have been drinking hot lemongrass tea everyday. When I was in India we had a lemongrass plant and our cook would make lemongrass tea for us after every meal, since we were trying to lose weight and apparently hot water is the way to go. Lemon grass imparts such a great taste to the bitter green tea, so I can only imagine what it does to this ginger basil spritzer. Lovely shots Kankana- so summery!
easyfoodsmith
June 26, 2013 at 4:36 AMVery refreshing flavours. The pairing of lemongrass and ginger sounds wonderful with the hint of basil.
Shibi Thomas
July 10, 2013 at 10:19 AMThat’s a perfect drink to quench the thirst in summer. I also prefer simple drink when I am in urge to cool down after being in the sun. Nice recipe and you have a great site!!!
goboroot
July 19, 2013 at 4:22 PMWe’ve been having quite hot weather here! This post made me feel a few degrees cooler:), thanks to your photos! They are so refreshing and beautiful! Great work, Kankana!