Raid the garden, farm stand, or the grocery store so you can make this delicious strawberry basil lemonade from scratch! It’s the perfect summer drink to take you from porch to park to beach.
I am a devout water drinker about 10 months out of the year. You will usually catch me walking around with a water bottle in my purse, refilling it multiple times a day. That is, until the dog days of summer roll around and the temperature hits 100 or something equally ridiculous. Then I want something a little more exciting than a twist of lemon to make drinking water more interesting, so I indulge in some homemade lemonade!
Growing up, I remember my mom taking my sisters and I out to lunch one day and trying a strawberry something lemonade. My mom and both of my other sister looooved it. I don’t remember why, but I recall not being a huge fan. Maybe it was too sweet? I liked it for a few sips, but not enough to have my own. I know, killjoy, and only mildly relevant to this recipe, because obviously I grew up and took matters into my own hands and made my own strawberry lemonade, a strawberry basil lemonade, and all is right in the world of flavored lemonade.
So should you. If you’re unsure about using basil, an herb usually associated with savory recipes, in something sweet, fear not! Basil is very mild and is definitely growing as a “trendy” ingredient in desserts and cocktails. I’d like to go on the record to let everyone know that I’ve been putting basil in desserts for years, you know, before it became cool. 😉
So without further ado, I’ll leave you with the recipe! Whip up a batch for the fridge, it’s perfect over ice, or pack it up in a thermos and take it on your next adventure to the beach! Strawberry basil lemonade was made for warm, sunny days.
Be sure to scroll past the recipe for more fabulous beach inspiration from my blogger friends!
- 1 cup (35 g) fresh basil leaves,
- 1 cup (198 g) granulated sugar
- 1 cup water
- 1 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 6-7 cups water
- 2 cups (227 g) fresh strawberries, hulled, chopped (you may also use unsweetened frozen)
- 1½ tbsp granulated sugar
- Crumple the basil leaves to bruise them, then combine them with the sugar and 1 cup of the water in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil and stir until the sugar has dissolved. Remove from the heat and let come to room temperature. Strain into a glass jar and refrigerate until you are ready to make the lemonade, no more than 2 days.
- Combine the strawberries and sugar in a mixing bowl and set aside for 10 minutes while you squeeze the lemons.
- Squeeze the lemons until you have 1 cup of juice. This takes me between 8-10 lemons, usually.
- Place the strawberries and sugar into a food processor or blender and blend until smooth. Run through a fine mesh strainer to remove seeds.
- In a pitcher, combine the basil simple syrup, lemon juice, 6 cups of water, and strawberry puree. If you are planning on chilling the lemonade and serving without ice, taste now, you may wish to add up to an additional cup of water for a milder flavor.
- Stir, and pour over glasses filled with ice. Garnish with fresh strawberries and fresh basil if desired. Enjoy!
Beach Hacks for Parents, An Aiming High Wife
What To Do With Seashells, No Bohns About It
Strawberry Basil Lemonade, Goodie Godmother
Shark Week Cupcakes, Cook. Craft. Love.
free easy breakfast cookbook
Start each week with a little pixie dust in your inbox! Get a summary of each week's post delivered when you sign up for my e-mail list.
- Be the first to know about upcoming projects & freebies
Whitney
July 31, 2016 at 4:30 pm (6 months ago)I had this lemonade at a restaurant last week. 5 bucks a glass. It was delicious, but the price definitely makes me want to make my own!
Whitney
July 29, 2016 at 1:10 pm (6 months ago)I swear these are three of my favorite things! I just hardly ever make drinks at home! I will have to make an exception… my mouth is watering!!
Meaghan | Cook. Craft. Love.
July 26, 2016 at 3:32 pm (6 months ago)Nothing makes me miss being able to eat strawberries quite like strawberry lemonade! I’ve never had strawberry and basil together but it sounds so amazing!
Brian Jones
July 24, 2016 at 4:52 am (6 months ago)This sounds fab, not sure if I am hip and trendy but I always thought basil and strawberry were a classic combination. Fruit lemonades are really popular out here and they are on the menu in most bars, restaurants and tourist attractions throughout the summer and are my tipple of choice when I am designated driver 😉
Mary (The Goodie Godmother)
July 24, 2016 at 5:27 pm (6 months ago)I did too, until I introduced a strawberry basil scone to my bakery menu a few years ago and many people reacted to the “novel” flavor. Fruit lemonades of any kind are quite delicious. If you aren’t designated driver, a bit of vodka makes them an easy summer cocktail too. 😉
Hillary Reeves
July 23, 2016 at 2:16 pm (6 months ago)I’m so with you on the sweet drinks. I need a little somethin to make it drinkable–without herbs or spice, it just tastes plain sweet! This is right up my alley. love!
Mary (The Goodie Godmother)
July 24, 2016 at 5:25 pm (6 months ago)Thanks! And I agree… drinks can’t be too sweet
Tara
July 22, 2016 at 3:42 pm (6 months ago)I love basil + lemonade! Plus lemonade on a hot day is really the only way to go.
Nicole @Little Blog on the Homestead
July 17, 2016 at 7:25 pm (6 months ago)This looks like a great option for summer fun! Dustin hates drinking plan water so this would be perfect for him