Print

Fresh Strawberry Lemonade with Basil

fresh strawberry lemonade with basil - featured image
Print Recipe

A light, vibrant, and refreshing summer drink combining sweet strawberries, tart lemon, and a subtle herbal twist of fresh basil. Perfect for cooling down on hot days with a sophisticated flavor.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound (450 grams) fresh strawberries, hulled and halved
  • 4 large lemons, juiced (about 1 cup / 240 ml lemon juice)
  • 3/4 cup (150 grams) granulated sugar
  • 10–12 fresh basil leaves, bruised gently
  • 4 cups (960 ml) cold water
  • Ice cubes, for serving
  • Optional: sparkling water, to top off for fizz

Instructions

  1. Rinse, hull, and halve about 1 pound (450 grams) of fresh strawberries. Place them in a blender or food processor and blend until smooth, about 30 seconds to 1 minute.
  2. Juice 4 large lemons to get about 1 cup (240 ml) of fresh lemon juice. Strain the juice through a fine mesh to remove seeds and pulp.
  3. In a small saucepan, combine 3/4 cup (150 grams) granulated sugar with 3/4 cup (180 ml) water. Heat gently over medium heat, stirring until sugar dissolves completely. Remove from heat and let cool slightly.
  4. Take 10-12 fresh basil leaves and bruise them gently with your fingers or a muddler to release their oils without tearing.
  5. In a large pitcher, combine the strawberry puree, lemon juice, cooled simple syrup, and 4 cups (960 ml) cold water. Stir well to combine.
  6. Add the bruised basil leaves and stir gently to infuse the flavor.
  7. Refrigerate the lemonade for at least 30 minutes to chill and allow the basil flavor to mellow.
  8. Optional: Strain the mixture through a fine mesh sieve for a seedless, pulp-free lemonade.
  9. Serve over ice cubes, garnished with fresh basil leaves or lemon slices.
  10. Optional: Top off each glass with a splash of chilled sparkling water for a fizzy twist.

Notes

Do not over-bruising basil to avoid bitterness. Use ripe, fresh strawberries for best flavor. Adjust sweetness after chilling as cold dulls sweetness. Simple syrup dissolves sugar better than adding dry sugar. Can substitute sugar with honey, agave, or sugar substitutes like stevia. Optional sparkling water adds fizz. Store in refrigerator up to 3 days; stir before serving.

Nutrition

Keywords: strawberry lemonade, basil lemonade, summer drink, refreshing beverage, easy lemonade recipe, fresh lemonade, herbal lemonade

Find it online: https://lemonydrinks.com/fresh-strawberry-lemonade-with-basil-recipe-easy-refreshing-summer-drink/