Hail, Lime Julius!

Susa Branch calls this Basil Lemonade, which is a fun name. But since you hardly taste the basil, and there are no lemons ... well, I chose a new name. The flavor that kicks you in the teeth in this recipe is LIME, and lots of it!

My photo is NOT as pretty as Susan Branch's.

Begin with a simple syrup, and here's where the limited basil makes its entrance.
1 cup water
1/2 cup sugar
4 healthy, fresh basil leaves

Heat this on the stove and then cool in the frig.

Pour it into your blender, add:
1/4 cup sweetened condensed milk
4 limes chopped in quarters
2 cups cold water

Then pulse your blender on high until the limes are cut up nicely.

Pour the entire mass through a sieve into a container or large-mouth pitcher.
Add another 2 cups of cold water into the blender to swish it out, and pour that water through the sieve also, and mash the pulpy mass of limes with a spoon so you get ALL the flavor from them into your drink.

If you drink it straight, without the crushed ice,
it's a wee bit strong.

Chill well in the frig, and serve over crushed ice if you have it.