Get ready for the drink of your summer... Strawberry Basil Lemonade!
Strawberry Basil Lemonade was basically the first drink recipe I ever post on WGC and it's been my most requested drink ever since. It's a refreshing blend of homemade lemonade that gets fresh strawberries and basil pureed into the mixture. Depending on who's enjoying this with me, I'll add a bit of vodka or just leave it non-alcoholic and add a splash of sparkling water and enjoy it over some ice. Either way, it's the best drink out there and you should probably be drinking this over the weekend. Preferably while grilling!!
So before Friday hits, grab some lemons, strawberries and a handful of fresh basil and making some cocktails or mocktails! And if you're in need of some more summer inspired cocktails... we've got you covered!
Summer Cocktails:
- Watermelon Tequila Punch
- Fresh Peach Mojitos
- Blueberry Mint Bourbon Lemonade
- Pimms Cup
- Classic Aperol Spritz
- Strawberry Jalapeno Margs
Strawberry Basil Lemonade
Ingredients
- 10 lemons, juiced, about 1 cup of fresh lemon juice
- ¾ cup super fine sugar
- 4 cups warm water
- 8-10 strawberries, tops removed
- â…“ cup fresh basil
- ½ cup vodka optional
Instructions
- 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. Let cool entirely.
- 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. Strain out any of the basil bits if you don't want them, they'll have already infused into the drink.
- Add alcohol if desired. Serve over crushed ice and enjoy!
This is really good! I used Santa Cruz Lemon Juice because I had it from your previous recommendations - so convenient. I'll have to figure out the right consistency for us - first batch was kind of thick. It's delicious so I will definitely be making it again!
I'm going to make a big batch of these for a large group and I remember recently you mentioned there was a lemon juice brand that you thought was as close as real lemon juice as you found. Can you share that info? I'm going to try that with this recipe. Thank you!
SAnta Cruz Pure Lemon Juice!! SO MUCH EASIER than juicing
Hi Gaby,
This sounds delicious! But I do have a question. Do I add the warm water along with the sugar to the lemonade? Just want to make sure I'm following the recipe correctly.
thanks,
Victoria
yes the warm water dissolves the sugar!! and then cool
How many servings does this make?
This was wonderful! I made it one time with vodka and one time with gin - preferred the gin. I doubled it to one cup too. I made a day in advance and then poured through sieve to remove the bits of basil. Maybe I didn't blend it enough.
Ok, now I need to make some lemonade today!! Beautiful!!!
Is there an alternative to the immersion blender? Will mixing it by hand be enough?
you could use a blender!! or a food processor
It tastes delicious but ours turned very ugly brown. Thoughts? We used all fresh ingredients but blending the strawberries with basil made it a funny color.
This is so my kind of drink. It looks deliciously refreshing!
Kari
http://www.sweetteasweetie.com
Strawberry and basil season!! Love this!
I thought those lemons in your photographs were potatoes.
How many does this serve? Thanks!
4-6 people!
Loved it thanks! Next time with Gin 🙂