Strawberry Basil Lemonade

This strawberry basil lemonade is as refreshing as it sounds. The flavors blend together, creating a freshness that tastes like summertime in a glass.

Lemonade is a classic summer drink. So classic that when I have it, I think of my childhood. Days when you were hot from long hours of playing, nothing was more delicious than a chilled glass of it. Although in those days, you’d find the neighborhood kids lined up at a hose to quench their thirst.

My father always had those frozen concentrated lemonades for us to make up. So when the hose wouldn’t due, we would ride our bikes all the way home to make a pitcher.

I remember standing at the sink, anxiously awaiting for the block to melt enough to stir it into the water. Trying our best not to make a mess and we almost always certainly did. That first glass was the ultimate taste of summer. Cold and refreshing on a hot summer’s day we couldn’t help but drink the whole pitcher and head back out to play. 

These days involve filtered water with a glass for drinking versus drinking from a hose and homemade lemonade as opposed to frozen. Nonetheless, a chilled glass of lemonade on a hot summer day is hard to beat. Which is especially so for this strawberry basil lemonade with its fresh vibrant flavors.

To make this strawberry basil lemonade, a simple syrup mixture is made on the stovetop while the lemons are halved and juiced. The strawberries and basil are quickly blended and combined with the simple syrup and fresh squeezed lemon juice. A batch of strawberry basil lemonade should be chilled before serving and gets even more flavorful as it sits. 

Strawberry Basil Lemonade Is…

• An easy way to spruce up regular lemonade with strawberry flavor and herby basil.
• A great way to incorporate an over abundance of fresh basil.
• The perfect drink for hot summer days or a long weekend.
• A refreshing drink made with simple ingredients. 
• My new favorite drink for the summer months.

Ingredients

Strawberries- use bright, fresh strawberries as sweet as you can find them. Fresh fruit over frozen is always best.

Lemons- I use regular Lisbon lemons or the standard tart lemons in the grocery store. Use large lemons to ensure you have enough fresh lemon juice.

Basil- use fresh basil leaves not dried basil. The fresh basil pairs well with the strawberries and lemon flavors.

Water- I use filtered water for this but any drinking water is fine.

Sugar- I like to use unrefined pure cane sugar but standard white sugar also works nicely.

Ice- completely optional but highly suggested to use large chunky ice for serving as there is nothing like ice-cold lemonade.

Tools

Hand Juicer or Manual Juicer

Hand Blender (or regular blender will work too)

Saucepan

Directions

Begin by making a simple syrup by heating 1 cup of water over medium heat in a small saucepan. Pour in the sugar and stir until combined. Remove the mixture from the heat.

Next, slice the lemons in half. Squeeze the juice out either by using a manual juicer over a mesh strainer over a bowl to catch the seeds.

Blend together the sweet strawberries and basil either with a regular blender (a hand blender works well too). Add the strawberry mixture to a large pitcher. Pour in the lemon juice, simple syrup, and water. Give it a good stir. Chill for 2 two hours before serving.

Notes

• Save extra strawberries or lemon slices to garnish when serving. 
• Use fresh basil not dried.
• Serve chilled.
• If using small lemons you might need more than 5 to get the desired tartness.

**Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links, which means I may receive commissions if you choose to purchase through the links I provide (at no cost to you).

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If you try this recipe and love it, I would love it if you would come back and give it 5 stars!