Basil seed drinks are a wonderful way to cool down, hydrate, and enjoy all of the health benefits of this superfood seed. The basil seed boasts an impressive nutritional profile and can easily be added to your favorite beverages to create a healthy drink! There are countless ways to make a basil seed drink, but these three sweet and refreshing recipes are a few of my favorites.
Basil seeds are excellent addition to everything from cottage cheese bowls to salad dressings, Greek yogurt to grain-free granola and even basil seed pudding.
But lately, I've also been stirring soaked basil seeds into everything from brewed teas to iced lemon water for an extra boost of basil seed health benefits.
what is a basil seed drink?
At first glance, basil seeds (also known as sabja seeds or tukmaria seeds) could easily be mistaken for chia seeds, and they even behave similarly (here's a comparison between chia and basil seeds).
The seeds are from the sweet basil plant and have a mild floral flavor, similar to basil leaves. They're packed with fiber, omega-3 fatty acids, minerals like calcium and magnesium along with other antioxidant properties.
Since they are high in fiber, they're excellent for blood sugar control - a wonderful superfood for overall health.
When these tiny black seeds are soaked in water, they expand and develop a gel-like consistency (but maintain a tiny bit of crunch), making them a fun, textural addition to drinks.
Stir the soaked sabja seeds or basil seeds right into your favorite herbal tea, electrolyte drink, or lemon water for a healthy, almost boba-like experience!
three refreshing recipes to try
The benefits of basil seeds don't end with their nutritional profile. Since sweet basil seeds absorb a significant amount of water, they can also help your body retain fluids and maintain electrolyte balance, keeping you cool and hydrated, extra important during the hot summer months.
I've created three refreshing, sweet, and extra-hydrating basil seed drink recipes that are cooling, delicious, and simple to make.
- Cantaloupe Mint Slushie: Blended frozen cantaloupe and fresh herbs like mint (or basil) create a cooling, refreshing basil seed drink.
- Iced Green Tea Lemonade: Brewed green tea with fresh lemon juice and soaked basil seeds is a simple and satisfying beverage.
- Watermelon Basil Seed Limeade: The small black seeds are soaked and added to a blended watermelon and lime mixture for a delicious, hydrating treat.
the ingredients
The main ingredients are simple-- the best kind of recipe! I find basil seeds on Amazon, but everything else is incredibly easy to source.
Here's a look at the main ingredients you'll need:
- Basil seeds: Specialty health food stores may carry these, but I have always ordered them from Amazon. Zen Basil or Basilia are a couple of brands I've used.
- Water: You'll need filtered water to soak the seeds, as well as a little more to make any of the three basil seed drinks.
- Low-carb sweetener: I like to use granulated monkfruit sweetener with allulose, which is a zero-glycemic sweetener that won't spike blood sugar levels. However, feel free to substitute this with your own favorite natural sweetener, like honey or pure maple syrup if preferred.
- Frozen cantaloupe or watermelon: For two of the basil seed drink recipes, you'll need either frozen cubes of watermelon or cantaloupe. When blended, they'll break down into a lovely slushie consistency.
- Green tea: For the green tea lemonade, you'll brew a green tea bag in a small amount of hot water. I've made this with plain green tea as well as fruity green tea (like peach green tea or hibiscus green tea), and any variety works well!
- Lime or lemon: Fresh citrus adds a refreshing flavor element to the drinks as well as additional health benefits.
how to make a basil seed drink
Here's a look at the process but be sure to scroll down to the printable recipe card for all the details.
Soak the basil seeds: Soak 2 teaspoons of basil seeds in ½ cup filtered water. Let them sit for 5-10 minutes. They will quickly expand and absorb the water.
Make your drink: If you're making the cantaloupe or watermelon option, add the frozen melon to a blender with water, lime juice or fresh herbs, then blend until it's a slushie consistency. Add sweetener to taste.
If you're making the iced green tea lemonade, brew the tea in ½ cup hot water and add the sweetener. Let it steep for 5 minutes. In a tall glass, add ice, water, and lemon juice. Pour in the tea mixture, then stir.
Add basil seeds to the drink: For the melon drinks, I like to add a spoonful of soaked basil seeds to the bottom of the glass, then pour in the slushie mixtures and top the drink with more basil seeds.
For the green tea lemonade, you can stir however much of the soaked basil seeds directly into the drink.
Once the basil seeds are added, your beverage is ready to enjoy!
recipe tips for the best results
Sweeteners: The sweetener choice is up to you! A low-glycemic sweetener means less sugar in the beverage, and keeps it low-carb and even keto-friendly. However, use your own choice of sweetener and add it to taste! I prefer lightly sweetened drinks, so I only use about 1 teaspoon of sweetener in the slushies and about 2-3 teaspoons in the lemonade, depending on how tart the lemons are.
Frozen fruit: If you don't have frozen watermelon or cantaloupe, you can use chilled melon and add about ½-1 cup of ice instead of water. Your slushie won't be as thick, but it will still taste delicious!
Basil seed amount: Add however much of the basil seeds to the drink as you desire. If you only want a little bit of basil seeds in your drink, reduce the amount of soaked basil seeds to 1 teaspoon in ¼ cup of water. If you have extra soaked basil seeds, refrigerate them for later!
other drinks to enjoy with basil seeds
There are so many ways to add basil seeds into your routine! Here are a few other drink recipes I've shared that would be excellent with some soaked basil seeds stirred in.
- Easy Hibiscus Lemonade
- Iced Strawberry Matcha Lemonade
- Olive Oil and Lemon Juice Drink
- Green Ginger Smoothie
you might also love
3 Refreshing Basil Seed Drinks
Enjoy these three basil seed drink recipes, each one created to be extra-hydrating, nutritious, and easy to make!
Soaked basil seeds not only add a textural element to the drinks (similar to boba), but this superfood seed also boosts hydration and offers a wide range of health benefits.
Ingredients
cantaloupe mint basil seed slushie
- 2 teaspoons basil seeds
- ½ cup + ¾ cup filtered water, divided
- 1-½ to 2 cups of cubed, frozen cantaloupe
- juice of 1 lime
- 3-5 leaves of fresh mint (or basil)
- 1-2 teaspoons granulated monkfruit sweetener with allulose, optional (or use sweetener of choice)
watermelon limeade basil seed slushie
- 2 teaspoons basil seeds
- ½ cup + ¾ cup filtered water, divided
- 1-½ to 2 cups of cubed, frozen watermelon
- juice of 2 limes
- 1-2 teaspoons granulated monkfruit sweetener with allulose, optional (or use sweetener of choice)
iced green tea lemonade with basil seeds
- 1 teaspoon basil seeds
- ¼ cup + ¼ cup cold filtered water, divided
- ½ cup hot filtered water
- 1 green tea bag
- 2-3 teaspoons granulated monkfruit sweetener with allulose, optional (or use sweetener of choice)
- ½ cup ice
- juice of 2 small lemons (about 3 tablespoons)
Instructions
For the cantaloupe mint or watermelon limeade slushies
- Add the basil seeds to ½ cup of water. Stir, then let them sit for 5-10 minutes. They will expand and absorb the water.
- Add ¾ cup filtered water, the frozen cantaloupe or watermelon, lime juice, and fresh mint or basil leaves (if using). Blend on medium speed until the melon breaks down, then increase to high speed for about 10 seconds. Taste and add sweetener if needed. Pulse to incorporate the sweetener.
- Spoon the soaked basil seeds into the bottom of your serving glass/es. Pour the slushie mixture into the glass, then top with more basil seeds if desired.
For the iced green tea lemonade with basil seeds
- Add the basil seeds to ¼ cup of filtered water. Stir, then let them sit for 5-10 minutes. They will expand and absorb the water.
- Add the hot water to a heat-proof mug with the green tea bag and the sweetener. Let it steep for 5 minutes.
- Place your ice in your serving glass, then add the lemon juice and ¼ cup cold filtered water. Pour in the brewed tea, and add more ice if necessary.
- Spoon in the soaked basil seeds, adding as much as you like. Garnish with a lemon slice and serve immediately.
Notes
- The amount of basil seeds for the slushies is double the amount I use in the green tea lemonade. That's because the slushie can make 1-2 servings, while the iced green tea lemonade typically makes about 1 serving.
- If you have extra soaked basil seeds, refrigerate them for 1-2 days to enjoy in other beverages, or add them to smoothies, yogurt bowls, or salad dressings.
- The sweetener option is up to you! Feel free to use your sweetener of choice. For a low-carb and keto-friendly sweetener, I like granulated monkfruit sweetener with allulose since it dissolves well. However, you can also sweeten these basil seed drinks with honey or pure maple syrup.
Nutrition Information
Yield 2 Serving Size 1Amount Per Serving Calories 5Sodium 10mgCarbohydrates 0gFiber 0gProtein 1g
This nutritional information is approximate and is provided for convenience as a courtesy.
Did you make this recipe? Let me know!