Description
This Strawberry Basil Lemonade is a vibrant and aromatic drink that perfectly balances the sweet tartness of strawberries and lemons with the unique freshness of basil. It’s an ideal refreshment for summer gatherings or a quiet afternoon treat.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups fresh, ripe strawberries, hulled and quartered
- 1/2 cup fresh basil leaves, torn or loosely chopped
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup water (for simple syrup)
- 1 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice (from 4–6 lemons)
- 3–4 cups cold filtered water
Instructions
- In a small saucepan, combine 1 cup of granulated sugar and 1 cup of water.
- Heat over medium heat, stirring constantly, until the sugar is completely dissolved and the mixture is clear. Do not boil vigorously.
- Once the sugar is dissolved, remove the saucepan from the heat and let the simple syrup cool completely to room temperature.
- While the simple syrup is cooling, hull 2 cups of fresh, ripe strawberries and quarter them.
- Gently tear or loosely chop about 1/2 cup of fresh basil leaves.
- In a blender, combine the prepared strawberries, the torn basil leaves, and about 1/2 cup of the cooled simple syrup.
- Blend on high speed until the mixture is completely smooth and pureed.
- Place a fine-mesh sieve over a large pitcher or bowl.
- Pour the strawberry-basil puree through the sieve, using a spoon or rubber spatula to press firmly against the solids.
- Discard the solids left in the sieve.
- To the strained strawberry-basil liquid in your pitcher, add 1 cup of freshly squeezed lemon juice.
- Pour in the remaining cooled simple syrup (about 1/2 cup, or more if you prefer a sweeter drink).
- Add 3-4 cups of cold filtered water, starting with 3 cups and adjusting to taste.
- Stir everything together thoroughly until well combined.
- Cover the pitcher and refrigerate your Strawberry Basil Lemonade for at least 1-2 hours.
- When ready to serve, stir again and pour over plenty of ice. Garnish each glass with a fresh strawberry slice, a lemon wheel, or a small sprig of fresh basil.
- Prep Time: 15 mins
- Cook Time: 10 mins
- Category: Beverage
- Method: Mixing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 120
- Sugar: 25 g
- Sodium: 5 mg
- Fat: 0 g
- Saturated Fat: 0 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 1 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
Keywords: Taste and adjust the sweetness and tartness to your preference. For a stronger basil flavor, infuse more basil in the simple syrup. You can also add sparkling water for a fizzy version.