This Strawberry Basil Lemonade is the perfect balance of sweet, tart and herbal notes, making it a go-to drink for warmer days. Made with fresh strawberries, zesty lemon and fragrant basil, this homemade lemonade is not only delicious but also incredibly easy to make. Whether you’re hosting a summer gathering, looking for a vibrant non-alcoholic option, or just craving a little (naturally) sweet treat, this recipe is sure to impress. Plus, it’s free from artificial sweeteners and packed with real fruit flavor - a refreshing twist on classic lemonade that you’ll want to sip all season long!
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Easy to make. Just blend, mix and serve!
- Naturally sweetened. No artificial flavors, just homemade basil simple syrup.
- Perfect for any occasion. Great for brunches, picnics, or warm afternoons.
Ingredients You'll Need
- Fresh strawberries. For natural sweetness and a beautiful pink color.
- Fresh lemon juice. Brings bright, tangy flavor.
- Basil simple syrup. Infuses an aromatic, herby sweetness.
- Cold water. Balances the flavors and dilutes to the perfect consistency.
- Ice cubes. To keep everything chilled.
- Fresh basil leaves & sliced strawberries. To garnish each glass.
Scroll to the recipe card below to find the remaining ingredients and quantities!
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Blend the strawberries. In a blender or food processor, blend the strawberries and lemon juice until smooth.
- Strain. Pour the mixture through a fine-mesh strainer into a large pitcher to remove the seeds and pulp.
- Mix with basil simple syrup and water. Stir in the basil simple syrup and cold water, mixing well to combine all flavors.
- Serve + garnish. Fill glasses with ice cubes, pour in the lemonade, and garnish with fresh basil leaves and sliced strawberries. Enjoy immediately for a refreshing treat!
Tips and Tricks
- Use ripe strawberries for natural sweetness.
- Chill before serving for the most refreshing taste.
- Make a batch and freeze into popsicles for a fun summer treat!
- Have leftover basil? Try making basil oil or basil pesto.
Substitutions
- No fresh strawberries? Use frozen strawberries, but let them thaw before blending.
- Want it less sweet? Reduce the basil simple syrup to ¼ cup for a more tart flavor.
- No lemons? You can always swap them out for lime.
Variations
- Sparkling Strawberry Basil Lemonade. Replace 2 cups of water with sparkling water for a fizzy twist.
- Strawberry Basil Arnold Palmer. Mix half lemonade, half iced tea for a refreshing tea-lemonade hybrid.
- Strawberry Basil Limoncello Spritz (adults only). Add a shot of limoncello to each glass for a boozy Italian summer drink!
Storing and Making Ahead
- Make ahead. Blend the strawberries and lemon juice up to a day in advance, then mix with the basil syrup and water just before serving.
- Refrigerate. Refrigerate in a sealed pitcher for up to 3 days. Stir before serving.
- Freeze. Pour lemonade into an ice cube tray and freeze. You can even add it to sparkling water for a quick refresher later!
Top tip
For maximum basil flavor, muddle a few fresh basil leaves in each glass before adding the lemonade. This intensifies the basil aroma and gives an extra burst of herbal freshness!
FAQ
Fresh lemons give the best flavor, but in a pinch, you can use pure bottled lemon juice.
Did you try out this recipe? I'd love to know how it went! Leave me a comment and rating below or tag me on Instagram at @AFabulousBite!
Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, which means I may earn a commission if you click on the link and make a purchase.
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Hungry for more? Try these recipes next:
Strawberry Basil Lemonade Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 cup fresh strawberries plus more for optional garnish
- ¾ cup fresh lemon juice about 4 large lemons
- 1 cup basil simple syrup
- 4 cups cold water
- ice cubes
- fresh basil optional, for garnish
Instructions
- Blend the strawberries. In a blender or food processor, blend the strawberries and lemon juice until smooth.
- Strain. Pour the strawberry lemon mixture through a fine-mesh strainer into a large pitcher to remove the seeds and pulp.
- Mix in the rest of the ingredients. Stir in the basil simple syrup and cold water, mixing well to combine all flavors.
- Serve and garnish. Fill glasses with ice cubes, pour in the lemonade, and garnish with fresh basil leaves and sliced strawberries. Enjoy immediately for a refreshing treat!
Notes
- Make ahead. Blend the strawberries and lemon juice up to a day in advance, then mix with the basil syrup and water just before serving.
- Refrigerate. Refrigerate in a sealed pitcher for up to 3 days. Stir before serving.
- Freeze. Pour lemonade into an ice cube tray and freeze. You can even add it to sparkling water for a quick refresher later!
- Use ripe strawberries for natural sweetness.
- Chill before serving for the most refreshing taste.
- Make a batch and freeze into popsicles for a fun summer treat!
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