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Low-calorie, unsweetened herbal drink base
In season: Summer
CALORIES · 100 G
GI
POTASSIUM · 100 G
FIBER · 100 G
1 cup (medium) of Unsweetened basil syrup (240 g) has 19 calories. That works out to 8 calories per 100 g. It contains 3.8 g of carbs, 0.5 g of protein, 0.2 g of fat and 0.2 g of fiber. Its 14.4 µg of Vitamin K covers 12% of the Daily Value. Its glycemic index is 5 (low), so it raises blood sugar slowly.
Selected: 1 cup (medium) · 240 g
19
KCAL / 240G
Carbs
3.8g
· 1% DV
Protein
0.5g
· 1% DV
Fat
0.2g
· 0% DV
Fiber
0.2g
· 1% DV
DV is the share of the daily value covered, on a 2,000 kcal reference diet.
Calories come from: Carbs 80% · Protein 11% · Fat 9%
| Nutrient | Amount | % DV |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 19 kcal | |
| Total fat | 0.2 g | 0% |
| Saturated fat | 0.05 g | 0% |
| Trans fat | 0 g | |
| Sodium | 9.6 mg | 0% |
| Total carbohydrate | 3.8 g | 1% |
| Fiber | 0.2 g | 1% |
| Protein | 0.5 g | 1% |
Calories: Calories measure energy. Average daily need is 2,000 kcal. Excess calories are stored as fat, too few cause weight loss.
Carbs: Your body's primary energy source. The brain runs exclusively on carbs. Daily need: 275g.
Protein: Essential for muscle repair and cell growth. Daily need: 50g. Keeps you full and boosts metabolism.
Fat: Needed for hormone production and vitamin absorption. Daily need: 78g. Limit saturated fats, choose unsaturated.
Fiber: Critical for digestive health and satiety. Daily need: 28g. Stabilizes blood sugar, lowers cholesterol.
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| Serving | Amount | Calories |
|---|---|---|
| 1 cup (medium) | 240 g | 19 kcal |
| 1 teaspoon (small) | 5 g | 0 kcal |
| 1 tablespoon (medium) | 15 g | 1 kcal |
| 100 g | 100 g | 8 kcal |
| ½ cup (half) | 120 g | 10 kcal |
| 1 bottle (small) | 250 g | 20 kcal |
| 1.5 cup (large) | 360 g | 29 kcal |
| 1 bottle (large) | 500 g | 40 kcal |
Calculated from 8 calories per 100 g.
Unsweetened basil syrup is usually diluted with water before drinking. Add a small amount to a glass, top it up with cold water and ice, then adjust the strength to taste. A squeeze of lemon pairs well with its herbal flavor.
To make unsweetened basil syrup, steep fresh basil leaves in hot water, then strain the infusion; lemon can add brightness. Without sugar, it will be less syrupy and less shelf-stable than a sweetened cordial, so keep it refrigerated.
Unsweetened basil syrup tastes herbal, aromatic, and lightly refreshing rather than sweet. Its exact flavor depends on the basil variety and preparation; lemon can make the drink taste sharper and more vibrant.
There is no fixed dilution ratio for unsweetened basil syrup, because its concentration and your taste preference can differ. Start with a small splash in a glass of water, taste it, and add more syrup if you want a stronger basil flavor.
Not necessarily. Unsweetened basil syrup is a basil-flavored drink base without added sugar, while many cordials are sweetened concentrates. Check how a particular product is intended to be served, since the names are not used consistently.
Yes, unsweetened basil syrup can add herbal flavor to cocktails and alcohol-free drinks. Because it does not contribute the sweetness that a standard syrup would, balance the drink separately with a sweet ingredient if the recipe calls for one.
Yes, refrigerate unsweetened basil syrup after opening and keep the container tightly closed. Without sugar, it does not have the same preserving effect as a sweetened syrup; discard it if its smell, appearance, or taste changes.
You can taste unsweetened basil syrup undiluted, but it is generally made to be mixed into a drink. Diluting it with water softens the concentrated herbal flavor and makes it more refreshing to sip.
Unsweetened basil syrup can add basil flavor to drinks, but it is not a direct substitute for fresh leaves in cooking. It is a liquid infusion, so it also adds moisture and may not provide the texture or fresh aroma of chopped basil.
Unsweetened basil syrup may have less sugar than a sweetened basil cordial, but its carbohydrate content and ingredients still matter for blood glucose. If you have diabetes, consider the amount you use and discuss it with your healthcare professional.
Vitamins
Vitamin K
14.4µg · 12% DV
B3
0.72mg · 5% DV
B6
0.07mg · 4% DV
Vitamin C
3.6mg · 4% DV
Minerals
Manganese
0.19mg · 8% DV
Copper
0.07mg · 8% DV
Iron
0.84mg · 5% DV
Magnesium
14mg · 3% DV
Potassium ⭐
91mg · 3% DV
Sodium
9.6mg · 0% DV
GLYCEMIC INDEX
GLYCEMIC LOAD
Accounts for portion size — a more realistic measure than GI alone.
To burn the 19 calories in 1 cup (medium) (240 g):
🚶
Walking (5 km/h)
🏃
Running (8 km/h)
🚴
Cycling
🏊
Swimming
Times are calculated with the MET equation for a 70 kg adult. Actual burn varies with your weight, age and pace.
Unsweetened basil syrup is an aromatic drink base made by drawing the flavour of basil leaves into water, without adding sugar. It offers a less sweet take on basil drinks and sherbets, whose recipes and sweetness vary across regions.
Dilute it with cold water and serve over ice; a squeeze of lemon complements its fresh, herbal aroma. It works as a cooling drink on a warm day or alongside a meal. The base is very low in calories, with 8 calories per 100 g. Keep it unsweetened for a light, herb-forward drink, or sweeten each glass to taste rather than making the whole batch sweeter.
Low
How many vitamins, minerals and how much fiber this food carries per calorie. A high score means a lot of nutrition for few calories.
Medium
An EatBetter score computed from fiber, protein and calorie density. A high score means staying full longer on the same calories.
Both scores are calculated per 100 g and do not change with the selected portion. The satiety score is EatBetter's own calculation, not a clinical measure.
NOVA 2
Minimally Processed
1. Unprocessed
2. Minimally Processed
3. Processed
4. Ultra-Processed
NOVA classifies foods into 4 groups by industrial processing. NOVA 1 (unprocessed) is the healthiest.
No known major allergens
Vegan
✓ Suitable
Vegetarian
✓ Suitable
Gluten-Free
✓ Suitable
Dairy-Free
— Not suitable
Mediterranean
✓ Suitable
Paleo
— Not suitable
Whole30
— Not suitable
DASH
— Not suitable
Keto
— Not suitable
Low FODMAP
— Not suitable
SATURATED
0.05g
MONOUNSATURATED
0.02g
POLYUNSATURATED
0.07g
Omega 6:3 ratio 2.5:1
Below the ideal 4:1 — a good omega balance.
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Nutrition data compiled from USDA FoodData Central and scientific sources.