This Easy Strawberry Basil Lemonade is a refreshing, Italian-inspired beverage that is perfect for a crowd or keeping chilled in the refrigerator all summer long. Combining the sweetness of fresh strawberries with the tartness of freshly squeezed lemon juice, this recipe adds a unique twist by incorporating fragrant basil leaves and a hint of exotic vanilla extract.
It can be sweetened to your exact preference using natural syrups like agave nectar or maple syrup. Quick to blend and delightfully thirst-quenching, you can serve it over ice, spike it for happy hour, or even freeze it into delicious popsicles!
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Easy Strawberry Basil Lemonade
6
servings5
minutes40
minutes300
kcalIngredients
10 fresh large strawberries, hulled
1 cup lemon juice, freshly squeezed
6 cups filtered or sparkling water
15 leaves fresh basil
4 tbsp agave or maple syrup (optional)
3 cups ice
1 tsp vanilla extract (optional, but recommended)
5 strawberries, hulled & sliced (for garnish)
Directions
- Blend: Add the 10 whole hulled strawberries, basil leaves, lemon juice, and water to a powerful blender (or food processor) and process until smooth.
- Strain and Sweeten: Strain the mixture into a pitcher through a fine-mesh strainer. Taste the lemonade and sweeten with agave or maple syrup if desired. Add the sliced strawberries to the pitcher.
- Chill or Serve: Chill in the refrigerator for 30 minutes, or serve promptly over ice garnished with additional fresh basil.
Notes
- Equipment Tip: If you are making your lemonade in a high-powered blender like a Vitamix, you likely won’t need to strain it at all. If using a food processor, straining is highly recommended for a smooth texture.
- No Blender? You can still make this without a blender! Use a potato masher with holes or the back of a fork to puree the berries and basil before straining the juices into your pitcher.
- Herb Variations: If basil isn’t your favorite, you can easily swap it out for fresh mint or lemon balm.
- Make it a Cocktail: For happy hour, spike this delicious beverage with a splash of vodka, rum, limoncello, or champagne.
