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Strawberry Basil Lemonade

A bright, herbaceous lemonade made with fresh strawberries and basil, sweetened with a quick homemade syrup that keeps the fruit flavor pure.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 5 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Servings: 4
Course: Beverage
Cuisine: American
Calories: 110
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 cup 200g fresh strawberries, hulled and quartered
  • 1/2 cup 120ml water
  • 1/2 cup 100g granulated sugar
  • 1 cup 20g fresh basil leaves, loosely packed, plus extra for garnish
  • 1 cup 240ml freshly squeezed lemon juice (about 5-6 lemons)
  • 2 cups 480ml cold water
  • Ice cubes for serving

Equipment

  • small saucepan
  • fine-mesh strainer
  • citrus juicer
  • pitcher
  • wooden spoon
  • knife
  • cutting board

Method
 

  1. In a small saucepan, combine the quartered strawberries, 1/2 cup water, and sugar. Bring to a gentle simmer over medium heat, stirring occasionally until the sugar dissolves completely, about 3 minutes.
  2. Remove from heat and immediately add the basil leaves. Press them down gently with a spoon to submerge. Let steep for exactly 10 minutes — no longer, or the basil will turn bitter.
  3. Strain the syrup through a fine-mesh strainer into a bowl or large measuring cup, pressing gently on the solids to extract all the liquid. Discard the solids. Let the syrup cool to room temperature, about 15 minutes.
  4. In a pitcher, combine the cooled strawberry-basil syrup, fresh lemon juice, and 2 cups cold water. Stir well to combine.
  5. Fill glasses with ice cubes and pour the lemonade over the top. Garnish with a fresh basil leaf or a thin lemon slice if desired. Serve immediately.

Notes

Storage: This lemonade keeps in the refrigerator for up to 3 days in a sealed pitcher. Stir before serving as the pulp may settle. For a less sweet version, reduce sugar to 1/3 cup (65g). To make it sparkling, replace half the cold water with chilled sparkling water just before serving. Common allergens: none. For dietary concerns, consult a qualified professional.