Basil seed coconut drink is a refreshing and cooling beverage made with just 3 ingredients. It’s the ideal summertime refreshment to stay hydrated and quench your thirst.
Due to their generally neutral flavour, basil seeds readily absorb the flavour of the liquids they are soaked in. In this recipe, the seeds acquire a tropical coconut flavour. The tropical flavour combined with fresh mint leaves makes this drink super refreshing.
What are basil seeds?
Basil seeds, also known as sabja seeds or tukmaria, come from the sweet basil plant. They are small, round, and black. They are similar in size to chia seeds but have a different texture when soaked.
When soaked in water or other liquids, basil seeds develop a gelatinous outer layer and expand to form a gel-like substance around the seed. This creates a unique and somewhat slick texture.
These tiny seeds are a popular addition to beverages such as falooda and basil seed lemoade and in desserts these are used as a thickening or gelling agent.
Ingredients
- Basil Seeds:
- Liquid: I used store-bought coconut water, but if fresh coconuts are available, extract water and use it.
- Herbs: Mint leaves are used here to impart fresh herbal flavour.
See the recipe card for quantities.
How to make coconut basil seed drink?
In a pitcher, add basil seeds to 4 cups of coconut water and stir well with a spoon.
Let them soak for at least 15-20 minutes.
During this time, the seeds will absorb liquid and develop a gel-like coating.
After soaking, you’ll notice that the basil seeds have expanded.
Stir the drink well to ensure that the basil seeds are evenly distributed.
Refrigerate the basil seed drink for at least an hour or until ready to serve.
Pour the chilled basil seed drink into glasses. You can add ice cubes if desired.
Garnish with fresh mint leaves for a burst of freshness.
Serve and enjoy your refreshing basil seed drink!
Substitutions and Variations
Fruit Infusion: Add slices of fruits like strawberries or orange for a fruity twist.
Rose Flavoured Drink: Add a splash of rose water or rose syrup for a fragrant touch. Check out the homemade rose syrup in rose milk tea recipe on the blog.
Sweeteners: You could use agave syrup or maple syrup for a touch of sweetness.
Tips and Tricks
Proper Soaking: Ensure that basil seeds are adequately soaked. They should at least double in size and turn into a gel-like consistency.
Ratio of Seeds to Liquid: A general guideline is about 1 tablespoon of basil seeds to 1 to 1.5 cups of liquid, but you can adjust according to your preference.
Stir Well: After adding the basil seeds, thoroughly stir the liquid to break up any lumps and distribute them evenly.
Mint Leaves: To elevate the flavour of the drink, tear the mint leaves before adding them.
FAQ
Basil seeds and chia seeds are not the same, but they share some similarities. Both seeds exhibit a gelatinous texture when soaked in liquid.
However, there are differences between the two:
Basil seeds are black, tiny, and round whereas chia seeds are generally larger than basil seeds and come in various colors, including black, white, and gray.
Basil seeds swell up and form a gel-like coating when soaked in liquid whereas chia seeds are slightly larger seeds with a more consistent size and shape.
Yes, the leftovers can be stored in the fridge in a clean airtight container for up to 3 days.
Yes, It’s essential to soak basil seeds in liquid before using them in recipes so they can expand and take on their unique gel-like texture. This procedure is comparable to that of chia seeds.
Related
Looking for other drink recipes? Try these:
More Summer Drink Recipes
KEEP IN TOUCH
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Basil Seed Coconut Drink
Equipment
- 1 Pitcher
- 1 Spoon
Ingredients
1 Cup = 250ml ; 1 Tablespoon = 15ml
- 4 Cups Coconut Water
- 2 Tablespoons Basil Seeds
- 1 sprig Fresh Mint Leaves remove leaves from stem
Instructions
- In a pitcher, add basil seeds to 4 cups of coconut water and stir well with a spoon.4 Cups Coconut Water, 2 Tablespoons Basil Seeds
- Let them soak for at least 15-20 minutes.
- During this time, the seeds will absorb liquid and develop a gel-like coating.
- After soaking, you'll notice that the basil seeds have expanded.
- Stir the drink well to ensure that the basil seeds are evenly distributed.
- Refrigerate the basil seed drink for at least an hour or until ready to serve.
- Pour the chilled basil seed drink into glasses. You can add ice cubes if desired.
- Garnish with fresh mint leaves for a burst of freshness.1 sprig Fresh Mint Leaves
- Serve and enjoy your refreshing basil seed drink!
Notes
- Proper Soaking: Ensure that basil seeds are adequately soaked. They should at least double in size and turn into a gel-like consistency.
- Ratio of Seeds to Liquid: A general guideline is about 1 tablespoon of basil seeds to 1 to 1.5 cups of liquid, but you can adjust according to your preference.
- Stir Well: Stir the liquid well once you add basil seeds to evenly distribute and break the lumps.
Nutrition
Welcome to Flavours Treat. I share vegetarian recipes made with wholesome, mostly fresh ingredients. Every recipe has easy-to-follow instructions with process shots (detailed step-wise pictures), a short video and lots of tips to help your cooking journey. Read more
