Bring the juice of 5 lemons and 3/4 cup each sugar and water to a boil. Add 1/2 cup basil leaves and the zest of 2 lemons (in wide strips) and steep, off the heat, 45 minutes; strain. Add 2 cups cold water, then pour into a baking dish and freeze 1 hour. Meanwhile, hollow out 6 of the juiced lemon halves and freeze. Scrape the ice with a fork; freeze 4 more hours, scraping every hour. Serve in the lemon cups.

SERVES: 4; Calories: 159; Total Fat: 0 grams; Saturated Fat: 0 grams; Protein: 0 grams; Total carbohydrates: 42 grams; Sugar: 39 grams; Fiber: 0 grams; Cholesterol: 0 milligrams; Sodium: 6 milligrams

Photograph by Con Poulos