Make this easy Strawberry Basil Lemonade using just 4 ingredients in no time. It’s sweet and tangy, with the basil adding a fresh twist. You’ll crave this refreshing summer drink all season long!
Have you ever treated yourself to those delicious yet pricey giant lemonades at festivals, or do you often opt for lemonade when dining out? Well, I love both of those too.
But now I’ve discovered this incredible strawberry basil lemonade – a perfect blend of juicy strawberries, tart lemon, and aromatic basil. Trust me, once you take that first sip, you might find it’s your new favourite. 😉
If you love fruity recipes, you’ve got to try these Pineapple Coconut Squares and Fruit Jelly.
And to beat the summer heat, another one of my all-time favourite drinks – Passion Fruit Iced Tea. 😍
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Simple Ingredients. With only 4 ingredients, this recipe offers the perfect opportunity to make the most of your summer produce, including strawberries, lemons, and basil.
- Unique Twist. Fresh basil adds a fancy and unexpected twist to the traditional lemonade, creating a vibrant drink you won’t want to miss.
- Make Ahead – You can prepare this lemonade the day before you need it, so it’s ready to serve when you want a refreshing and ice-cold drink!
Ingredient Notes
This homemade strawberry basil lemonade has just 4 ingredients (plus water).
- Sugar – I prefer using white granulated sugar for the best-tasting lemonade, but feel free to experiment with any sugar you have on hand to find what suits your taste.
- Fresh Lemon Juice + Zest – Use your favourite lemons; approximately 3-4 juiced, plus extra for garnish. The real magic of lemon flavour comes from the zest, which we extract by rubbing sugar with the lemon zest, infusing its sweetness.
- Strawberries – Use the sweetest summer strawberries for the best results. If you have sour strawberries, add more sugar to balance the flavours. Frozen strawberries will work; make sure to thaw them first.
- Basil – I add a touch of fresh basil, taking this lemonade to the next level. Rest assured, it won’t overpower the drink or make it overly herby. Instead, it adds a fun twist that will leave you craving more.
Step By Step Instructions
1. Combine sugar and lemon zest in a bowl, then rub the mixture between your fingertips to infuse the sugar with lemon flavour.
2. Stir in fresh lemon juice and let it sit for a few minutes to dissolve the sugar.
3. Transfer the sugar-lemon mixture, strawberries, basil, and water to a blender. Blend the ingredients until you achieve a smooth consistency.
4. Strain the mixture through a mesh strainer to remove any little bits.
5. Serve the lemonade over ice. Garnish each glass with fresh strawberries, basil leaves, and lemon slices.
Recipe Tips & Notes
- Choose sweet-tasting ripe strawberries; the flavour of your lemonade will mainly rely on the strawberries you use.
- Adjust sugar to your taste or as needed to reach your desired sweetness.
- Strain through a mesh strainer if you desire a super smooth lemonade, free from any pulp or seeds.
- Include ice cubes just before serving to prevent watering down the drink. For an extra treat, chop frozen strawberries into bite-sized pieces and mix them into the lemonade with the ice cubes.
Storage Tips
Homemade lemonade stays fresh for 2-3 days in the fridge. Before serving, gently stir the lemonade to distribute any settled ingredients evenly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Strawberry basil lemonade features a vibrant taste, blending the sweetness of strawberries, the tanginess of lemon, and the fresh herbal notes of basil. It tends to be sweeter than regular lemonade, creating a refreshing beverage.
Based on my experience, fresh strawberries provide the best flavour for this recipe. However, I tested it with frozen strawberries, and the results were equally good. Just thaw the frozen strawberries before adding them to the recipe.
You can omit the basil if you prefer a classic strawberry lemonade. Alternatively, you can experiment by replacing the basil with lavender, thyme, mint, rosemary or lemon verbena for a different twist.
More Fruity Recipes
DID YOU MAKE THIS STRAWBERRY BASIL LEMONADE?
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Strawberry Basil Lemonade
Equipment
- Microplane grater (citrus zester)
- Blender
- Mesh Strainer
Ingredients
- 2/3 cup sugar
- 3 tbsp lemon zest
- 2/3 cup fresh lemon juice (3-4 lemons)
- 1 cup sliced strawberries
- 8 fresh basil leaves
- 3 cups water
Instructions
- Combine sugar and lemon zest in a bowl, then rub the mixture between your fingertips to infuse the sugar with lemon flavour.
- Stir in fresh lemon juice and let it sit for a few minutes to dissolve the sugar slightly.
- Transfer the sugar-lemon mixture, strawberries, basil, and water to a blender. Blend the ingredients until you achieve a smooth consistency.
- Strain the mixture through a mesh strainer to remove small bits like pulp/seeds.
- Serve the lemonade over ice. Garnish each glass with fresh strawberries, basil leaves, and lemon slices.
Video
Notes
- Choose sweet-tasting ripe strawberries; the flavour of your lemonade will mainly rely on the strawberries you use.
- Adjust sugar to your taste or as needed to reach your desired sweetness.
- Strain through a mesh strainer if you desire a super smooth lemonade, free from any pulp or seeds.
- Include ice cubes just before serving to prevent watering down the drink. For an extra treat, chop frozen strawberries into bite-sized pieces and mix them into the lemonade with the ice cubes.
Tastiest lemonade of all time and so easy to make! 11/10