Description
A refreshing and vibrant Strawberry Basil Lemonade that combines the natural sweetness of fresh strawberries with the zesty tang of lemon and the aromatic notes of basil. This easy-to-make beverage is perfect for cooling down on warm days and can be served chilled, over ice, or even frozen into delightful popsicles.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 10 fresh large strawberries – hulled
- 1 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 6 cups filtered or sparkling water
- 15 fresh basil leaves
- 4 tbsp agave or maple syrup (optional)
- 3 cups ice
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 5 strawberries – hulled and sliced
Instructions
- Blend Ingredients: Add the whole strawberries, fresh basil leaves, lemon juice, and water into a powerful blender or food processor. Process the mixture until smooth, ensuring all the ingredients are fully combined to create a uniformly flavored base.
- Strain the Mixture: Pour the blended mixture through a fine mesh strainer into a pitcher. Use a spoon or spatula to press the pulp, extracting as much liquid as possible to achieve a smooth lemonade without seeds or large strawberry bits.
- Sweeten: Taste the strained lemonade and add agave or maple syrup if you prefer a sweeter drink. Stir well to incorporate the sweetener completely.
- Add Garnish Strawberries: Add the sliced strawberries to the pitcher for added texture and visual appeal, enhancing the drink’s fresh fruity flavor.
- Chill and Serve: Chill the lemonade in the refrigerator for 30 minutes, or serve immediately over ice. Garnish with additional basil leaves if desired. Alternatively, pour the lemonade into popsicle molds and freeze for a refreshing frozen treat.
Notes
- For a fizzy twist, use sparkling water instead of still filtered water.
- Adjust sweetener to taste based on the natural sweetness of your strawberries and personal preference.
- Vanilla extract adds a subtle depth of flavor; omit if you prefer a more straightforward lemonade taste.
- To make it vegan, ensure the sweetener used is plant-based like agave or maple syrup.
- Straining is important to remove pulp and seeds for a smoother texture but can be skipped if you prefer a more rustic, pulpy beverage.
- Freeze leftovers into popsicles for a fun and healthy summer snack.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Beverage
- Method: Blending
- Cuisine: American
