2 cups sugar
1 cup water
1/2 cup rose water
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1 tablespoon kewra water
1 teaspoon sandalwood essence or edible rose essence
1/2 teaspoon cardamom powder
A few saffron strands
A few drops red food color, optional
1 tablespoon basil seeds, soaked, optional
Combine sugar and water in a pan
Heat until the sugar dissolves completely
Simmer until slightly syrupy
Add rose water, lemon juice, kewra water, essence, cardamom powder, and saffron
Add food color if using
Mix well and remove from heat
Cool completely
Strain if needed
Store in a clean glass bottle
Mix 2 to 3 tablespoons with chilled water or milk before serving