Strawberry Basil Lemonade Recipe
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 herbyness 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.
Servings: 6 servings
Calories: 222kcal
Equipment
- Food processor or blender
- medium saucepan
- whisk
- large pitcher
Ingredients
- 8 cups water, divided
- 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
- 2 cups ripe strawberries, stems removed and sliced in half
- 15 basil leaves, roughly chopped
- 1 ½ cups freshly squeezed lemon juice (9-10 lemons)
Instructions
- 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!
Notes
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- Storage: Cover pitcher and store in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.
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- Use fresh lemon juice. Using freshly squeezed lemon juice is paramount when it comes to making the perfect lemonade. The bright, tangy 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.
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- Adjust the sweetness. Depending on the sweetness of your strawberries, you may need more or less sugar in your lemonade.
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- 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.
- Recipe adapted from Oh So Delicioso.
Nutrition
Calories: 222kcal | Carbohydrates: 58g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 0.5g | Saturated Fat: 0.03g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.02g | Sodium: 2mg | Potassium: 140mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 54g | Vitamin A: 62IU | Vitamin C: 52mg | Calcium: 14mg | Iron: 0.3mg
