11 min · ~13–15 oz
- Herb
- Low sugar
- In 6 recipes
Basil
Basil is a green herb that adds an herbal finish in cold-press bottles, with practical value for flavor, pairings, prep, and grocery planning.
Green · Mild · Refreshing · Produce variety
- Best for
- Herbal finish
- Flavor
- Green herb
- Sugar
- Low
- Yield
- Low
- Beginner
- Easy in small amounts
- Pairs with
- Tomato, strawberry
Lifetime details for basilUnlock · $97 once
- Cost per unit
- Included with Founding Lifetime
- Best season
- Included with Founding Lifetime
- Holds up
- Included with Founding Lifetime
- Cheaper swap
- Included with Founding Lifetime
In the press
How basil acts in the juicer.
- Yield
- Low
- Basil gives lighter yield, so use it for flavor and green character rather than bottle volume.
- Difficulty
- Moderate
- Feed basil with cucumber, celery, apple, or citrus so small leaves do not sit alone in the press.
- Texture
- Light green
- Adds green body without making the bottle heavy when the amount stays modest.
- Foam
- Low-medium
- Usually manageable, but small greens can create flecks that settle after bottling.
- Watch for
- Wet or wilted leaves
- Use fresh, perky basil and avoid sour, wet, or collapsed leaves.
- Best order
- Tucked between juicy produce
- Sandwich basil between higher-yield pieces for better extraction.
Choose · store · prep
Get it ready before the press.
Choose
- Bright green leaves with intact stems.
- Strong aroma when leaves are brushed.
- Avoid black or browning leaves.
Store
- Keep lightly wrapped and chilled.
Prep
- Use leaves and tender stems.
- Genovese basil is the standard. Use right before pressing — basil oxidizes fast and turns dark within an hour of being cut.
Pairs with
Pair by flavor job, not guesswork.
TomatoTomato lightens the bottle and helps carry smaller ingredients through the press.
StrawberryStrawberry adds brightness so basil tastes cleaner and less flat.
LimeLime adds brightness so basil tastes cleaner and less flat.
CucumberCucumber lightens the bottle and helps carry smaller ingredients through the press.
Starter formulas
No recipe? Start here.
Tomato Celery Basil Lemon
Mild and earthy, ~14–16 oz.
Tomatoplus Celeryplus Bell Pepperplus Basil
Tomato Pepper Garden
Mild and green, ~18–20 oz.
Tomatoplus Bell Pepperplus Cucumberplus Basil
Watermelon Lime Refresh
Sweet and refreshing, ~19–21 oz. Basil goes in as an optional booster.
Watermelonplus Cucumberplus Limeplus Basil
Swaps
Out of basil? Swap it.
Basil missingUse mint. Mint keeps the role close while shifting the flavor slightly.
Basil missingUse parsley. Parsley keeps the role close while shifting the flavor slightly.
More basil swaps in Lifetime
Unlock with Lifetime- Out of season?
- Too pricey?
Recipes with basil
Turn it into a bottle.
12 min · ~13–15 ozCarrot Tomato Bell Pepper
10 min · ~17–19 ozCucumber Strawberry Basil Lime
11 min · ~12–14 ozHoneydew Green Grape Raspberry
General recipe and ingredient education only, not medical advice. Read the disclaimer.