Description
A refreshing and vibrant Strawberry Basil Lemonade combining freshly squeezed lemon juice, ripe strawberries, and fragrant basil leaves sweetened with honey or agave. Perfect for a light and fruity summertime beverage that’s easy to prepare and wonderfully cooling.
Ingredients
Base Ingredients
- 1 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 7 whole strawberries
- 15 basil leaves (or to taste)
- 5 tablespoons honey or agave syrup (plus more to taste)
Add-ins
- 7 strawberries, sliced
- 3 cups ice (plus more for serving)
- 5-6 cups filtered or sparkling water
Garnish
- 5 basil blossoms (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the puree: In the bowl of a small food processor or blender, combine the freshly squeezed lemon juice, 7 whole strawberries, and 5 basil leaves. Process until the mixture is smooth and well blended, creating a flavorful strawberry basil lemon base.
- Sweeten and dilute: Transfer the strawberry puree into a pitcher. Stir in 5 tablespoons of honey or agave syrup until fully incorporated. Add 5 to 6 cups of filtered or sparkling water to the pitcher and stir thoroughly. Taste and adjust the sweetness by adding more honey or agave if desired.
- Add final touches and chill: Add the sliced strawberries and the remaining 10 basil leaves to the pitcher. Refrigerate the lemonade until it is well chilled, ideally for at least 30 minutes. Serve over plenty of ice and garnish each glass with small basil leaves and basil blossoms if available for an elegant finish.
Notes
- Use sparkling water for a fizzy lemonade or filtered water for a still version.
- Adjust sweetness according to personal preference by adding more or less honey/agave.
- For a stronger basil flavor, increase the number of basil leaves in the puree.
- Add ice cubes directly to the pitcher to keep the lemonade chilled longer.
- Fresh basil blossoms add a beautiful presentation and subtle aroma but are optional.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Beverage
- Method: Blending
- Cuisine: American
