Refreshing Strawberry Basil Lemonade
This post contains affiliate links (paid links). Advertisements displayed on this website do not reflect endorsements or recommendations made by Mitten Girl LLC. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Skip to Recipe
Ripe strawberries, fresh basil, and tart lemons combine for this fresh Strawberry Basil Lemonade. It’s an easy and summery drink that’s perfect for your next backyard party or family gathering.
Why make homemade lemonade? Because you know exactly what’s in it. You can control the sugar amounts and make it the exact right sweetness for you. And you can add in all sorts of extras to change up classic lemonade, like blueberries and lavender for Blueberry Lavender Lemonade or strawberries and basil in this Strawberry Basil Lemonade.
Basil is not the overwhelming flavor in this drink. Don’t tell anyone it’s in there and they’ll probably not be able to pick it out. But they will ask “what’s that flavor?” Basil highlights sweet strawberries in the best way and adding it in subtly will have people wondering what makes your strawberry lemonade so good.
Made with simple ingredients (and summer produce), we’re swapping the traditional strawberry syrup for fresh strawberries and basil simple syrup to bring in freshness and bright flavor. Those fresh juicy strawberries also give this easy Strawberry Basil Lemonade its gorgeous color.
It’s the perfect drink for happy hour on hot summer days. This pink lemonade is also easy to double and triple, making it a great non-alcoholic option for bridal showers, baby showers, and other large gatherings.
Ingredients
- Fresh strawberries – Fresh berries will have the best flavor, but thawed frozen strawberries will work here too.
- Lemon juice – Freshly squeezed lemon juice is always my favorite choice, but this recipe requires squeezing 6-8 lemon to get enough juice. So if you’d rather buy the lemon juice, look for quality lemon juice. I like Real Lemon brand for lemonade recipes.
- Basil simple syrup – Super easy to make at home with fresh basil, water, and sugar this is what gives the lemonade its basil flavor. Don’t like basil? Swap this out for regular simple syrup to make classic strawberry lemonade.
- Cold water – Filtered tap water, sparkling water, or club soda all work great in this recipe.
How to Make Strawberry Lemonade with Basil (Step by Step)
Combine cleaned, hulled strawberries with fresh lemon juice in a blender or food processor. Blend well.
Strain the mixture through a fine mesh strainer and pour into a pitcher.
Add basil simple syrup and water. Stir and chill until ready to serve.
Note: If the mixture gets stuck in the strainer, gently use a spoon to move around the strawberry seeds in the strainer so all the liquid can get through.
Strawberry Basil Lemonade
Ingredients
- 1 cup fresh strawberries
- 1 cup lemon juice
- 1 ½ cups basil simple syrup
- 4 cups cold water
Instructions
- Combine cleaned, hulled strawberries with fresh lemon juice in a blender.1 cup fresh strawberries, 1 cup lemon juice
- Blend well. Strain the mixture through a fine mesh strainer and pour into a pitcher. (If the mixture gets stuck in the strainer, gently use a spoon to move around the strawberry seeds in the strainer so all the liquid can get through.)
- Add basil simple syrup and water. Stir and chill until ready to serve.1 1/2 cups basil simple syrup, 4 cups cold water
- To serve: Stir lemonade in the pitcher then pour into a glass filled with ice. Garnish with a fresh strawberry, lemon wheel, and/or sprig of fresh basil.
Notes
Recipe Tips
The basil flavor is subtle in this recipe. If you love basil and want to make it more prominent, add 3-4 large basil leaves to the blender alongside the berries.
Keep the ice cubes in the glasses, not in the pitcher! Adding ice to your pitcher will lead to watered down lemonade. Instead, add the ice to the individual glasses when serving.
Make Basil Simple Syrup
Three easy-to-find ingredients is all it takes to make homemade basil simple syrup. Head over to my Basil Syrup Recipe page for all the details and instructions.
Looking for More Lemonade Recipes?
Want more unique lemonade recipes that you can’t buy at the store? Try my Blueberry Lavender Lemonade, Mixed Berry Lemonade, Raspberry Lemonade, or Pomegranate Lemonade, all made by the pitcher. Or go all out with this color-changing Unicorn Lemonade that’s perfect for kiddos.
Try These Basil and Strawberry Cocktails
Fresh basil and ripe strawberries make delicious drink ingredients. Muddle fresh basil for this Basil Gimlet or Gin Basil Smash Cocktail, crush juicy strawberries in this Strawberry Gin Cocktail, or combine them together for an easy and refreshing Sparkling Strawberry Basil Cocktail.
