For fresh basil taste after garden season has closed, I freeze basil. No, basil does not hold up well to freezing.
The trick is to freeze it in water.
I coarsely chop basil and pack it in ice cube trays before covering with water and freezing. When I’m ready to unleash the basil flavour, I pull out a cube or two. I either pop them whole into soups, stews, or sauces, or melt the cube to use just the basil.
It smells, and tastes, incredibly fresh!
Sustainable Scientist 
Great idea! I wonder if that works equally well for other leafy herbs, like cilantro or tarragon. – Teresa
Hi Teresa – I bet it does! Cilantro actually freezes pretty well on its own. I put a head in a bag in the freezer then trim from the leafy end with scissors right out of the bag! It's wilted, but the flavour is intact.
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Very clever!! I have to try this next year. Love your blog J!