How many of you like lemonade? Do you make your own or buy the powdered kind from the store. I for one prefer to make my own at home. Just this past week my parents brought me about 10 pounds of fresh lemons from a friends tree in Tucson, AZ. They were HUGE! I mean giant, huge lemons. And you know what they say… when life hands you lemons… you should make strawberry basil lemonade (alcohol optional!)
It has seriously been 80 degrees this week in LA. Its perfect spring/summer weather for me. I am fairly certain that I have improved my tan by at least 2 shades this week just from my runs and driving with the windows down. It’s pretty amazing to say the least. I guess this is why I pay an obscene amount of money for rent. But whatever. It is what it is! I don’t know about you, but when I think of sitting outside and just the summer time in general, I immediately start thinking about refreshing cocktails or other drinks. I just automatically think of sitting with my girlfriends on the beach in Mexico with cocktails. They key to a refreshing spring/summer time cocktail is making sure it isn’t crazy strong because you want to be able to have a few, and you want it to be refreshing and light!
It is safe to say that this Strawberry Basil Lemonade is hands down the most amazing drink concoction I have ever made. (And I have made my fair share of drinks)
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Strawberry Basil Lemonade
Ingredients:
10 lemons, juiced, approx 1 cup of lemon juice
3/4 cup super fine sugar
4 cups water
8-10 strawberries, hulled
1/3 cup fresh basil
1/2 cup vodka (optional)
Directions:
Prep time: 10 min
Total time: 15 min
Juice the lemons and transfer the juice into a large pitcher. Add the sugar and the water and stir to combine and dissolve the sugar. Add the strawberries and basil. Using an immersion blender, blend the mixture for about 20 seconds just until the mixture turns pink and the basil is finely chopped. Add alcohol if desired. Serve with lots of crushed ice and go sit out by the pool and enjoy!
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It does look refreshing! Perfect for these global warming heat waves we’re experiencing. I am going to go right out, fix a batch of this and invite my neighbors over to sit on the porch with me.
Beverly
McKinleyville, CA
I blogged about your recipe for National Lemonade Day! http://creativetastes.blogspot.com/2010/08/national-lemonade-day.html
Hey, I made strawberry basil lemonade too! http://shouldhavezagged.wordpress.com/2010/08/30/birthday-party-drinks/ No booze, though.
10 lemons/1 cup?
Wow, I usually only need 2/3 lemons to yield a cup of juice. Maybe the lemons I get are just really big?
Love how easy and quick this recipe is. In the restaurant I work in we make lemonade and Ginger beer, but ferment it for a couple of days with yeast to get it sparkling, but your’s is awesome for just making because you feel like some right then and there!
I love that you are using mason jars for this. I only ever use mason jars, and I have a friend who, every time he comes over, will only drink out of a wine glass because he refuses to drink out of a jar!
I just found this recipe which looks amazing! My coworker just gave me lots of lemons from her backyard, I have strawberries from our CSA box and lots of basil from Trader Joe’s. I can’t wait to make this tonight!
This sounds so refreshing. I especially love the colors together.
This is my absolute favourite summer beverage!
Thanks for sharing!
Ohhh! I’m going to make this as well as the potato salad. Thank for posting such great recipes.
Made this Saturday morning and took a pitcher to the inlet w/ my sister for some kayaking and relaxation! We both fell in love and she ended up making it the next day! Thanks for a very refreshing summertime drink… and for allowing me to use up some of my ever growing basil!
i can’t believe I stumbled across this recipe. Thank you so much. I just had some of these at Houlihan’s happy hour for the first time two weeks ago and I fell in love. Now I want to have a party and use your recipe so everyone can enjoy!
Is this okay to make a day in advance? Also will you get the same color using a regular blender?
thanks!
you can absolutely make it a day in advance and a regular blender will be fine! The basil might turn a dark color if you make it the day before – so you could also add the basil right before you serve!
I made this today, sans booze. It’s exceptionally good. Thanks for the recipe!
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