Fresh Homemade Strawberry Lemonade with Basil Simple Syrup
A refreshing homemade strawberry lemonade enhanced with a fragrant basil simple syrup, perfect for summer and easy to make in about 20 minutes.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Beverage
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced
- 1 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice (about 4–6 lemons)
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup fresh basil leaves, loosely packed
- 3 cups water, divided
- Ice cubes for serving
Instructions
- Make the Basil Simple Syrup: Combine 1 cup granulated sugar and 1 cup water in a medium saucepan. Bring to a gentle boil over medium heat, stirring until the sugar dissolves completely (about 5 minutes). Remove from heat, add the fresh basil leaves, and cover. Let steep for 15-20 minutes to infuse the syrup with basil’s aroma and flavor.
- Prepare the Strawberries: While the syrup steeps, rinse and hull about 2 cups of fresh strawberries. Slice them roughly and place in a blender or food processor. Add 1 cup of water and pulse until the mixture is smooth but still retains some texture (about 20 seconds).
- Strain the Strawberry Puree: Pour the puree through a fine mesh strainer into a large pitcher, pressing gently with a spoon to extract as much juice as possible without forcing the pulp through. Discard the solids.
- Finish the Syrup: After the basil has steeped in the syrup, strain out the leaves and discard. The syrup should be fragrant and lightly greenish.
- Juice the Lemons: Using a citrus juicer, extract about 1 cup of fresh lemon juice (4-6 lemons). Remove any seeds but keep the pulp if you like a bit of texture.
- Combine All Components: Add the strained basil simple syrup and lemon juice to the pitcher with the strawberry juice. Stir well to combine. Taste and adjust sweetness or tartness if necessary by adding more syrup or lemon juice.
- Chill and Serve: Add plenty of ice cubes to the pitcher or individual glasses. Optionally, garnish with fresh basil leaves or lemon slices for a pretty presentation. Serve immediately to enjoy the fresh flavors at their peak.
Notes
If lemonade tastes too strong, add more cold water to balance. For sparkling lemonade, add chilled club soda just before serving. Fresh basil is essential for best flavor; dried basil is not recommended. Syrup thickens when chilled, stir before serving. Can substitute sugar with honey, agave, or natural sweeteners adjusting quantities accordingly.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8 oz (240 ml)
- Calories: 110
- Sugar: 25
- Sodium: 5
- Carbohydrates: 28
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 1
Keywords: strawberry lemonade, basil simple syrup, homemade lemonade, summer drink, refreshing beverage, basil lemonade, easy lemonade recipe