Invigorating Strawberry Basil Lemonade
A bright, tangy lemonade enhanced with sweet strawberries and aromatic basil, perfect for a refreshing summer drink that’s quick and easy to make.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Beverage
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound (450g) fresh strawberries, hulled and halved
- 1 cup packed fresh basil leaves (about 20 leaves)
- 4 large fresh lemons (for about 1 cup or 240ml freshly squeezed juice)
- 3/4 cup (150g) granulated sugar, adjustable
- 4 cups (1 liter) water, divided (1 cup for basil syrup, 3 cups for diluting lemonade)
- Ice cubes, as needed for serving
Instructions
- Make the Strawberry Basil Syrup: In a blender, combine strawberries, 1 cup water, basil leaves, and sugar. Blend on high for 1-2 minutes until smooth and fragrant.
- Strain the Syrup: Pour the blended mixture through a fine mesh sieve into a bowl or measuring cup, pressing to extract as much liquid as possible. Discard or save the pulp.
- Juice the Lemons: Using a citrus juicer, extract juice from the lemons to yield about 1 cup (240ml). Remove any seeds.
- Mix the Lemonade: In a large pitcher, combine the strawberry basil syrup and lemon juice. Add 3 cups (720ml) cold water and stir well. Adjust sweetness or dilution to taste.
- Chill and Serve: Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes. Serve over ice cubes and garnish with whole strawberries and basil sprigs.
Notes
Do not blend basil too long to avoid bitterness; pulse until fragrant. Roll lemons before juicing for more juice. Chill lemonade before adding ice to prevent dilution. For a fizzy twist, replace half the water with sparkling water before serving.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8 fl oz (240 ml)
- Calories: 90120
- Sugar: 22
- Sodium: 5
- Carbohydrates: 24
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 1
Keywords: strawberry basil lemonade, refreshing drink, summer beverage, homemade lemonade, basil syrup, fresh lemonade