Pear Basil Porch

Pear and basil make a subtle pairing, with lemon adding the edge that ripe pear doesn’t have on its own. Slice the fruit thinly and press some of it before adding the herb. Sparkling water should lighten the combination without washing it out. This is a delicate drink, so begin with a little basil. More leaves won’t make the pear stronger; they’ll mostly turn a quiet fruit fizz into a basil one.

Ingredients

• 5 oz Sparkling water
• 1/4 cup Pear slices
• 3 leaf Basil leaves
• 1/2 oz Lemon juice

Make it

1. Add any fruit, herbs, spices, or syrup to a glass and gently press to release flavor.
2. Add the still liquids and ice. Stir to combine.
3. Pour in the sparkling ingredient slowly and stir once. Serve immediately.

Benefits

Lemon · a little vitamin C

Lemon supplies some vitamin C for protecting cells from oxidative damage; pairing it with pear and basil adds another layer to the flavor.

Make room for basil

Basil gives the pear and lemon a savory green fragrance—an aromatic pairing to serve freshly mixed, while the bubbles are lively.