Go Back
Print Pin

Strawberry Basil Lemonade

We absolutely love how a cold glass of lemonade brings people together on a warm afternoon! This Strawberry Basil Lemonade recipe puts a fun, herbal twist on a classic favorite. The sweet strawberries perfectly balance the tart lemon juice, while fresh basil adds a wonderfully earthy note that will have your friends asking for your secret ingredient. It is quick to make and guaranteed to be the star of your next backyard gathering!

Ingredients

  • 2 cups strawberries fresh or frozen
  • 1 cup fresh lemon juice approximately 6 to 7 lemons
  • 3/4 cup honey
  • 1/2 cup fresh basil packed loosely
  • 5 cups cold water separated into 1 cup and 4 cups
  • Ice for serving
  • Extra strawberries lemon slices, and basil sprigs (optional, for garnish)

Instructions

  • Make the simple syrup: In a medium saucepan, combine the strawberries, fresh basil, honey, and 1 cup of cold water. Place the pan over medium heat and let the mixture simmer gently for 15 to 20 minutes.
  • Strain and cool: Once the fruit softens and the liquid turns a deep red, remove the pan from the heat. Pour the mixture through a fine-mesh sieve directly into a large drink pitcher to strain out the solids. Set the pitcher aside and let the sweet syrup cool down completely.
  • Mix the lemonade: After the syrup cools, pour your 1 cup of fresh lemon juice into the pitcher. Add the remaining 4 cups of cold water and give everything a really good stir to combine the flavors.
  • Garnish and serve: Fill individual serving glasses with ice. Pour the fresh lemonade over the ice, add a few beautiful garnishes like lemon slices or fresh basil leaves, and enjoy your delicious creation!

Notes

  • Get the most juice out of your lemons: Nobody likes struggling to squeeze firm lemons! Roll them firmly on your countertop using the palm of your hand before cutting them open. This breaks down the internal membranes so they release much more juice. You can also soak whole lemons in warm water for a few minutes before juicing.
  • Using frozen strawberries: You can easily use frozen berries if you do not have fresh ones on hand. Keep in mind that frozen fruit holds more water, so you might need to simmer the syrup a few minutes longer. Just simmer until the fruit is very soft and the liquid thickens slightly. You want a consistency that is thinner than maple syrup.
  • Sweetener substitutions: If you want to skip the honey, you have options. You can easily swap it for 1 cup of white granulated sugar plus 1 to 2 tablespoons of water. If you prefer agave nectar, use a simple 1:1 ratio and substitute the honey with 3/4 cup of agave.
  • Ice placement: Always add your ice to the individual glasses rather than the main pitcher. This stops the ice from melting and watering down your beautiful batch of lemonade!