Get ready for the drink of your summer... Strawberry Basil Lemonade!
Table of Contents
Why I Love This Recipe
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!!
Ingredients & Substitutions
- Lemons – fresh lemon juice is best, but if you must use one that's pre-juiced this is my favorite brand
- Super Fine Sugar
- Warm Water
- Strawberries
- Fresh Basil
- Vodka – feel free to omit
*For a full list of ingredients and instructions please see recipe card below
How to Make Strawberry Basil Lemonade
Step 1: Juice the lemons and transfer the juice into a large pitcher.
Step 2: Add the sugar and the water and stir to combine and dissolve the sugar. Let cool entirely.
Step 3: 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.
Step 4: 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!
Tips & Tricks
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.
FAQs
What is strawberry lemonade made of?
It's a simple fresh lemonade with fresh lemon juice, sugar, water and then strawberries to make it extra pink and a hint sweeter
What does strawberry lemonade taste like?
Heaven! It's a slightly sweeter lemonade with the addition of strawberries and it's pure magic.
So before the weekend hits, grab some lemons, strawberries and a handful of fresh basil and make some cocktails or mocktails! And if you're in need of some more summer inspired cocktails... we've got you covered!
More Summer Cocktails
If you tried this recipe, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it goes in the 📝 comments below. Thanks for visiting today!
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
- ⅓ 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!
Notes
- 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.
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!
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?
Hey, I made strawberry basil lemonade too! http://shouldhavezagged.wordpress.com/2010/08/30/birthday-party-drinks/ No booze, though. 🙂
I blogged about your recipe for National Lemonade Day! http://creativetastes.blogspot.com/2010/08/national-lemonade-day.html
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
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.
Just made this the other day and it was wonderful! My new favorite drink. Blogged about it today!
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
gosh that just sounds so good. i've heard of this, but never tried it. can we put a little vodka in there?
Love the combination of basil and strawberries. Can't wait to test this out over the summer!
Interesting to combine strawberries with basil!
Nice post!
Greetings from Germany!
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!
I just made this and it is delicious!
This looks great with or without the strong stuff!
This is GREAT!!!! I didn't expected to taste this good but it does 10/10