Strawberry basil lemonade is a refreshing summer beverage that combines the sweetness of ripe strawberries, the tartness of fresh lemons, and the aromatic, herbaceous flavor of basil. This twist on classic lemonade is an ideal way to quench your thirst on hot days, offering a deliciously unique and flavorful drink that’s perfect for any outdoor gathering, picnic, or just a relaxing afternoon.
To make this vibrant drink, begin by preparing a simple syrup. In a saucepan, combine equal parts sugar and water, heating it until the sugar dissolves completely. Add a few sprigs of fresh basil to the syrup and let it simmer for a few minutes to infuse the flavor. Once done, remove from heat and allow the basil to steep, letting the aromatic oils infuse the syrup.
While the syrup cools, blend fresh strawberries until smooth. You can strain the puree if you prefer a smoother texture, but leaving it as is adds a bit more body and rustic charm to the lemonade. Squeeze fresh lemons to extract the juice, making sure to remove any seeds.
Once your basil-infused syrup has cooled, combine it with the strawberry puree and lemon juice in a large pitcher. Stir well to combine all the flavors, and add cold water or sparkling water, depending on your preference for a still or fizzy drink. Taste and adjust the sweetness with more syrup if needed.
Serve the strawberry basil lemonade over ice, garnished with a few fresh basil leaves and strawberry slices for a burst of color. For a fun twist, add a splash of sparkling water for a fizzy finish, or even a splash of gin or rum for an adult version.
This strawberry basil lemonade is the perfect balance of sweet, tangy, and herbaceous, making it a refreshing and unique summer drink that will keep you cool all season long.
Ingredients
- 1 cup strawberries hulled and sliced
- 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves loosely packed
- 1/2 cup fresh lemon juice approximately 2-3 lemons
- 1/2 cup sugar or to taste
- 3 cups cold water divided
Instructions
- In a blender, combine strawberries and basil leaves with 1/2 cup cold water. Blend until smooth.
- Strain the strawberry basil mixture through a fine sieve to remove the solids.
- In a large pitcher, combine the strawberry basil juice with lemon juice, sugar, and the remaining 2 1/2 cups of cold water. Stir well until the sugar dissolves.
- Serve the lemonade over ice and garnish with extra basil leaves and strawberry slices if desired.
Nutrition
I followed it pretty much exactly, but I used a little less sugar and it was still sweet enough. Love the color too!
Why would I put basil in lemonade? Sounds disgusting. Stick to the classic, people.
So yummy! But I think maybe half a cup of sugar is too much. Next time I’ll use less.
I think half a cup is perfect! It balances the tartness of the lemons. 😊
Less sugar? Nah, I like it sweet! But do what you like, I guess.
I made this for a summer party and everyone loved it! So colorful and tasty.
Not gonna lie, the basil flavor was overpowering for me. Also I didn’t strain well and I regretted it lol. Might try again with less basil.
Strawberries and basil?! Sounds weird but it actually works! I was skeptical, but now I’m a believer! 4 stars!
Eh, it was okay. I prefer my drinks not to taste like salad. Not a fan of basil.
Yum!! Next time I will try it with mint instead to see if that’s better. I didn’t have enough basil.
Mint sounds interesting! I bet it’ll add a refreshing twist! Let us know how it turns out!
I was skeptical about basil in lemonade, but wow—works really well. Straining makes it way smoother. Next time I’ll add extra strawberry for more flavor.
Strawberry lemonade = 5 stars!!! <3 <3
I dunno, I think lemonade should just be lemony, not all this basil stuff. Sounds weird to me.
I totally agree! This drink is so refreshing, especially on a hot day! 🌞
Made it for a picnic yesterday and it was gone in minutes! Total crowd-pleaser!
Really? Everyone liked it? I don’t think strawberries and basil would mix well. Sounds weird to me!
That sounds amazing! I love how unique the combination is. Can’t wait to try it out for my next gathering!
This lemonade is amazing! The basil gives it such a unique twist. I can’t believe how refreshing it is on a hot day!
Not bad for homemade. Kinda tastes like a fancy drink you’d pay too much for at a cafe… in a good way.
This is the best lemonade I’ve ever made! The strawberry and basil combo is genius. 5 stars!
Pretty good! I made it for a picnic, and everyone loved it! Just needed a bit more sugar.
My blender didn’t fully smooth the strawberries, but I strained anyway and it came out fine. Still, I’d blend longer next time.
I love strawberry lemonade but never thought to add basil. It’s a bit weird but surprisingly good!
Mine came out a bit too tart—probably my lemons were extra sharp. Next time I’ll start with 1/3 cup sugar first and adjust.
Followed exactly but my blender mixture separated? Like the strawberry and basil went uneven. Still tasted fine, just not as smooth as expected.
I think it needed more sugar. It was a bit tart for my taste.
This drink is AMAZING! So refreshing for summer! 🌞
Tried it today and it was honestly great. I strained it longer than the recipe says because I like it super smooth—worth it. Would make again for sure.
I strained once and it was… fine? But maybe I should go longer like you said. Also, 2–3 lemons sounds random—mine needed more juice.
Love this! I’m the same way—extra straining makes it feel so polished. Glad it was still worth it 👏
Basil lemonade? weird. But I guess I’ll give it a shot.
Honestly it surprised me too—basil adds this fresh, herbal vibe, not like “weird” at all. If you’re unsure, use a little less basil the first time and adjust sugar/lemon to taste.
The ingredient list is simple but the basil can be overpowering. I’d probably chop the basil a bit or use less than 1/4 cup unless you really love that herby taste. Otherwise it tastes like smoothie pretending to be lemonade.
Totally agree—1/4 cup basil can be *a lot*. I usually chop it finely and start with like 2 tbsp, then add more if I want. Also agree it can end up tasting weirdly “green” if you overdo it.
Lol smoothie pretending lemonade is exactly it 😂 I followed it once and my whole cup tasted like toothpaste basil. Next time I’m gonna use less basil and maybe squeeze the lemons more carefully. Thanks for the heads up!
I think 1/4 cup basil is too much—mine tasted kinda like salad. Next time I’ll go lighter on the basil.
Good call! Basil can get overpowering fast—next time I’d try 1–2 tbsp and taste as you go.
The instructions are straightforward, but 1/2 cup lemon juice from 2-3 lemons feels all over the place depending on lemon size. Mine was stronger than expected, so I added extra water.
Totally agree—lemons vary a lot. I usually juice them first and then measure, otherwise it can be way too tart. Adding water like you did is the perfect fix.
This turned out amazing! The strawberry and basil combo is so refreshing for summer. Definitely a 5-star recipe!
I used way more basil than 1/4 cup because I love it. Big mistake—overpowered the whole drink. Learn from me 😅
This lemonade is just okay. I think I might prefer regular lemonade instead.
This lemonade is amazing! The basil adds a unique twist to the classic recipe. I can’t believe how refreshing it is!