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Strawberry Basil Lemonade

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A bright, refreshing lemonade blended with sweet ripe strawberries and fragrant basil—perfect for hot summer days or backyard gatherings.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb (450 g) fresh strawberries, hulled
  • 1 cup (240 ml) freshly squeezed lemon juice (about 5–6 large lemons)
  • ½ cup (100 g) granulated sugar, plus more to taste
  • 1 cup (25 g) loosely packed fresh basil leaves
  • 4 cups (960 ml) cold water
  • Ice cubes, for serving
  • Optional: 1–2 cups (240–480 ml) chilled sparkling water for a fizzy finish
  • Optional garnish: extra basil sprigs and strawberry slices

Instructions

  1. Combine strawberries, basil leaves, sugar, and 1 cup of the cold water in a blender. Blend until completely smooth.
  2. Set a fine-mesh sieve over a large pitcher and pour the strawberry mixture through, pressing with a spoon to extract as much liquid as possible; discard the pulp.
  3. Stir in the freshly squeezed lemon juice and the remaining 3 cups cold water. Taste and add a little more sugar if desired.
  4. Chill for at least 30 minutes, or serve immediately over plenty of ice.
  5. If you’d like bubbles, top each glass with a splash of sparkling water just before serving. Garnish with basil sprigs and strawberry slices.

Notes

  • Adjust sweetness by starting with less sugar, then adding more after chilling—cold drinks taste less sweet.
  • For a deeper basil note, muddle extra basil leaves in the pitcher just before serving.
  • Swap granulated sugar for honey or agave if preferred (start with ⅓ cup and adjust).
  • The purée freezes well in ice-cube trays—blend frozen cubes with water for instant slushies.

Nutrition

Keywords: strawberry basil lemonade, summer drink, homemade lemonade, vegan beverage

Find it online: https://zesticook.com/strawberry-basil-lemonade/