Strawberry Basil Lemonade

Quench your thirst with this refreshingly sweet and tart strawberry basil lemonade. This unique twist on a classic summer beverage combines the sweet juiciness of ripe strawberries, the herbal freshness of fragrant basil leaves, and the tartness of lemons. The result is a vibrant and balanced drink that captures the essence of summer in every sip.

Whether you're hosting a backyard gathering, lounging by the pool, or simply seeking a revitalizing beverage, this strawberry basil lemonade is the perfect companion to beat the heat and savor the season.

All you need are 4 simple ingredients, and you can even customize your lemonade by adding sparkling water, using your favorite berry, or turning it into a cocktail.

For more refreshing drinks, try my cucumber lemon water, grapefruit cocktail, and smoothie!

Jump to:

• ⭐️ Why This Lemonade is the Best
• 🍋 Ingredient Notes
• 🍸Variations & Substitutions
• 🔪 How to Make Strawberry Basil Lemonade
• 👩🏼‍🍳 Expert Tips
• 🌿 Garnish Options
• 🍹 Related Recipes
• Strawberry Basil Lemonade Recipe

⭐️ Why This Lemonade is the Best

• Sweet strawberries, bright and tangy lemon juice, and savory herby basil combine to make a delicious and refreshing beverage that's perfect for hot summer days.
• Quick and easy lemonade recipe with 4 simple ingredients
• Make your lemonade up to 24 hours ahead of time
• Beautiful summer drink that you can customize by adding sparkling water, using your favorite berry, or turning it into a cocktail.

🍋 Ingredient Notes

• Granulated sugar - The only cooking required here is making a simple syrup using sugar and water.
• Strawberries - Choose ripe strawberries that are bright red for the sweetest flavor. You can substitute frozen strawberries as well, but thaw them before using.
• Basil leaves - Adds a unique flavor that pairs beautifully with strawberries and lemon
• Freshly squeezed lemon juice - It's very important that you use fresh lemon juice when making homemade lemonade. It will be around 9-10 lemons in total. Freshly squeezed lemon juice contains higher levels of natural acidity and essential oils, which lend a robust citrus flavor to the drink that just cannot be replicated with bottled lemon juice.

🍸Variations & Substitutions

• Add vodka: Turn your lemonade into cocktails by adding 1.5 ounces of vodka to each glass before pouring lemonade.
• Use sparkling water: Give your lemonade bubbles by using 6 cups of sparkling water in place of still water. It becomes more of a spritz, which is fun for kids and adults alike.
• Mint: Swap out the basil for fresh mint for a different refreshing summer flavor.
• Use natural sweetener: You can substitute maple syrup or honey for the simple syrup, but they have strong flavors, so you may need to add more lemon juice to balance it out.
• Try different berries: Raspberries or blackberries would be delicious in place of strawberries.
• Use lemonade concentrate: For a super quick version, use a 12 ounce can of lemonade concentrate and follow instructions on the package.

🔪 How to Make Strawberry Basil Lemonade

Into a medium saucepan, pour 2 cups of water and granulated sugar. Using a whisk, give it a couple of stirs.

Bring sugar mixture to a boil over medium heat, whisking frequently, until sugar is completely dissolved, about 5-7 minutes. Pour syrup into a medium bowl and cool for 30 minutes.

Into a food processor or blender, add sliced strawberries and basil. Blend until completely smooth, stopping once to scrape down sides with a rubber spatula. Strain pureed mixture with a fine mesh strainer.

Into a large pitcher, pour simple syrup, fresh lemon juice, 6 cups of water, and strawberry-basil puree. Use a large spoon to combine well.

Fill 6 glasses with ice cubes and pour lemonade into glasses. Garnish with sliced lemons, sliced strawberries, or basil leaves. Or, chill until ready to serve. Enjoy!

👩🏼‍🍳 Expert Tips

• Storage: Cover pitcher and store in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.
• How to freeze: The best way to freeze lemonade is to pour it into a large freezer bag and store it in the freezer for up to 3 months. To thaw, place it in the refrigerator overnight.
• Use fresh lemon juice. Using freshly squeezed lemon juice is paramount when it comes to making the perfect lemonade. The tart flavor and vibrant aroma of fresh lemons elevate the taste of the lemonade to a whole new level. Freshly squeezed lemon juice contains higher levels of natural acidity and essential oils, which lend a robust citrus flavor to the drink. The zesty notes and subtle nuances of the freshly squeezed juice bring a refreshing quality that simply cannot be replicated with processed lemon juice.
• Adjust the sweetness. Depending on the sweetness of your strawberries, you may need more or less sugar in your lemonade.
• Chill before serving. Lemonade is a beverage that's best served chilled. Place it in the fridge to chill before serving, or add ice cubes to your serving glasses (not the pitcher, or you'll end up with watered down lemonade) to keep it cold.

🌿 Garnish Options

Get creative with how you serve your lemonade! Here are some suggestions:

• Sugar rim. The key to creating a sugar rim is to first moisten the rim of your glass. Take a lemon wedge and run it around the rim of the glass. Next, pour an ample amount of sugar onto a plate, and place glass upside down onto the plate. Press down gently and twist glass until it's evenly coated. Shake off any excess sugar.
• Lemon slice. Slice lemon lengthwise into two halves. Next, thinly slice each lemon half for whole slices, or cut each slice in half for smaller sizes.
• Strawberry slice. Remove stem from strawberry, and thinly slice strawberry from top to bottom.
• Fresh basil leaves. Place one or two (small) basil leaves in each glass after pouring lemonade.

🍹 Related Recipes

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