A Sweet Summer Surprise: Strawberry Basil Lemonade

Refreshing Strawberry Basil Lemonade

Today, I want to share a recipe that perfectly captures the essence of summer – my refreshing strawberry basil lemonade. This vibrant drink is the epitome of a sunny day in a glass, combining sweet strawberries, aromatic basil, and zesty lemon for a truly unique and delicious beverage.

I start by gathering all my ingredients. For this recipe, you will need:

• fresh strawberries (250g)
• fresh basil leaves (10g)
• lemons (3)
• sugar (100g)
• water (500ml)
• ice cubes

In terms of kitchen tools, you will need:

• blender
• saucepan
• fine mesh strainer
• pitcher

To begin, I hull and chop the fresh strawberries and add them to a blender along with the basil leaves. I blend them until smooth, creating a vibrant red mixture full of fresh flavor.

In a saucepan, I combine sugar and water over medium heat, stirring until the sugar is completely dissolved. Once the sugar syrup has cooled slightly, I add it to the blender with the strawberry-basil mixture, and squeeze in the juice of the lemons. I blend everything together until well combined.

Next, I strain the mixture through a fine mesh strainer into a pitcher, discarding any solids. I place the pitcher in the refrigerator to chill for at least an hour.

Before serving, I fill glasses with ice cubes and pour the strawberry basil lemonade over the ice. The result is a beautifully pink drink that is both visually stunning and incredibly refreshing.

This recipe makes approximately 4 servings, with each serving weighing around 300g. One serving of this strawberry basil lemonade is approximately 120 calories.

One unusual tip for this recipe is to add a splash of sparkling water to the lemonade just before serving for a fizzy twist on this classic drink.

I encourage you to try making this strawberry basil lemonade at home and feel free to customize it to your liking. Whether you increase the basil for a more herbal flavor or add more sugar for extra sweetness, this recipe is versatile and perfect for any occasion. Enjoy!