An operationally simple, inexpensive and efficient procedure for benzylation of aldehydes in wet medium has been developed that was mediated with low valent copper, prepared in situ through spontaneous reduction of CuCl₂-2H₂O with magnesium in situ. Notably, copper mediated benzylation of 3h took place with good syn selectivity that was opposite to that for the corresponding Grignard addition. Finally, homobenzyl alcohol 5a was elegantly transformed into a known protease inhibitor synthon I.