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:
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 immerision 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!
I was reading and looking for the booze…lol. I love a good hard lemonade.
This sounds so refreshing!
Looks so great and refreshing, Gaby! Your weather sounds wonderful – lucky you!
This looks AMAZING! An I am so envious of the warm weather!!! My basil is growing as we speak and I can’t wait for the fresh local strawberries at my farmers market. Mmmmm!
This looks beautiful as well as good!! Beautiful photos! The vodka is not optional for me
I usually only drink water, but I might have to rebel and try your lemonade:)
Cindy – hahaha I hear ya on the Vodka – actually the first time I made this I made it with no alcohol and it was insanely delicious – so I guess I could go either way on this drink! Depends on the occasion
I’ll make it for you next time we are all together!
Maria – you have to try it! Its seriously the most amazing lemonade I have ever had – and I am a super picky lemonade drinker
I can already tell I’m going to love this and it may just become my summer drink of choice!
We still have tons of lemons on our tree and I was planning to juice some this weekend for lemonade. I think I will try your version instead. Thanks
Ha! Did you get the idea for the mason jars from the Yard? I LOVE basil in sweets, especially with lemon. This is perfect for the recent hot weather!
hahaha Kate yes!! And then I ran out to buy some the next day! I was obsessed!
Gaby – This looks like an incredible, thirst quenching drink of desire! You can bet your freshly squeezed oranges I will be telling lex about this! Keep up the great work Gaby!
Marc!! Get yourself and Lex over any sunday and we will BBQ and I’ll make the lemonade!
I love, love, love savory lemonade combos. I usually buy mine at the restaurant Lemonade, but I would totally make this (and maybe add a little Proseco or vodka too)
gorgeous! I can’t wait for lemonade weather.
I like to add herbs to mine too.
I don’t make lemonade very often, but I do love it. I usually order it at restaurants. I love this recipe and your photo.
thanks for your recipe, will have a try tonight.
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This post was mentioned on Twitter by WhatsGabyCookin: My best new invention: Freshly juiced strawberry basil lemonade: http://whatsgabycooking.com/strawberry-basil-lemonade/...
What a fun, original and delicious sounding and looking recipe. It is one I will bookmark and try this summer when the weather improves.
Yum!! This looks like the perfect drink to celebrate this wondeful weather. I’m right outside of LA and have so enjoyed the outisde this week. Flip-flop weather is upon us! Love the cute little strawberries on the glasses too; what a cute touch!
Hey girl!! Beautiful photos! Love those Ball jars. Isn’t Basil grand? I have been using it in everything these days. This post makes me excited for summer. No powder mixes here….the real deal only!
Wow. This looks so refreshing and delicious – I’m definitely going to try it!
I like this combo a lot! Very refreshing and pretty as well.
Wow, I really didn’t think basil would be good in lemondade. Why did you put it in your drink?
if you sub the vodka for vanilla vodka it’s really yummy too
Gaby, those photos are absolutely gorgeous! The mason jars are a lovely touch. The recipe sound so delicious and refreshing! I can’t wait to try this!
Yum Gaby that looks delicious!! I love the pictures!
MAYBE TRY ADDING A DASH OF VANNILA EXTRACT TO BALANCE THE THE LEMON AND ADD A MORE SWEET AROMA TO THE DRINK
[...] Strawberry Basil Lemonade [...]
This is a dream drink creation! Love it!
That looks so refreshing! I’ll keep it in mind when the weather finally gets in the 80s here, although it’s at least a few months away.
Mouthwatering. Absolutely mouthwatering. I liked your strawberry basil lemonade recipe so much I have passed it along to almost everyone I know. I love the way you used fresh lemons. Where we live we don’t have ready access to fresh lemons so I order them online at http://www.buy-lemons-online.com/ which delivers fresh lemons picked right off the tree and shipped direct. A question I have regarding your recipe is what kind of lemons do you use? Eureka lemons? Or Lisbon lemons? Also, do you have any recipes for Sweet Meyer Lemons?
This lemonade is SO my jam. Now I have another reason to go to the market and load up on fruit. Love the recipe. A staple for the summer at any bar!
This looks seriously good and I love that you served it in jars.
I LOVE basil, so I am automatically attracted to any treat featuring basil… I had this idea that this might make some AWESOME sorbet. Anyways, I have plans to make this next time I get to the supermarket. Thanks!
[...] Course 1: Strawberry Basil Lemonade [...]
This is GREAT!!!! I didn’t expected to taste this good but it does 10/10
This looks great with or without the strong stuff!
I just made this and it is delicious!
I was on a retreat when I had my first sip of regular lemonade with basil. I was so thirsty, I disregarded how weird it was to see basil in lemonade. I thought it was just a rich person type lemonade. I WAS WRONG. It has been the BEST lemonade I’ve ever drank in my life. I can ONLY imagine how delicious this strawberry one is! I’m going to try this recipe!
Interesting to combine strawberries with basil!
Nice post!
Greetings from Germany!
Love the combination of basil and strawberries. Can’t wait to test this out over the summer!
[...] Strawberry Basil Lemonade in the perfect way to get any party started… and to get all of your guests tipsy! [...]
gosh that just sounds so good. i’ve heard of this, but never tried it. can we put a little vodka in there?
[...] my friend Gaby of What’s Gaby Cooking came up with a genius Strawberry Basil Lemonade. Folks from around the world have been swooning over it. Her fun flavor combination makes [...]
I’ve made this a couple times and love it!! I froze it last time. YUMMY!!
There’s something for you here…
http://sprytesplace.blogspot.com/2010/06/strawberry-basil-lemonade-granita.html
Just made this the other day and it was wonderful! My new favorite drink. Blogged about it today!
Made this after buying local basil and strawberries at the farmers market today. Taking it to share at a party tonight… if I don’t drink it all myself first. Thanks for the recipe.
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
[...] since I made my Strawberry Basil Lemonade earlier this spring, I have been obsessed with adding basil to beverages. I add it to cocktails, I [...]
[...] I first saw this recipe here, I wanted it right there on the spot. Basil? Yes! Strawberry? Yes! Lemonade? Oh my freakin’ [...]
[...] a friend of mine gave me about 10 pounds of lemons from their tree. I went right home and make Strawberry Basil Lemonade, because really, what else is better than that. But then I still had about 1/2 of the lemons left [...]
[...] time cocktail means something light, fresh…and not too heavy on the booze. This version from What’s Gaby Cooking tastes great with some vodka…but make it virgin for a long day in the [...]