Summer

Strawberry Basil Lemonade

June 21, 2013
5
4 Ratings
Photo by James Ransom
  • Serves 8
Author Notes

A few weeks ago, I ordered a strawberry basil lemonade at Gather in Park Slope -- it had a gorgeous blush and was also not too sweet. A perfect intro to summer. Last weekend I found myself with some extra strawberries and a wild tangle of basil in the herb boxes on my deck, so I attempted to recreate the lemonade. It takes all of 10 minutes, aside from letting your sugar syrup cool, and it just may be the star of your next party. Better yet, it's a good reason to throw one. —Merrill Stubbs

What You'll Need
Ingredients
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 3 cups quartered fresh strawberries
  • 20 medium basil leaves, roughly chopped
  • 1 1/2 cups freshly squeezed lemon juice
Directions
  1. Put the sugar in a heatproof bowl or cup and pour 1 cup of boiling water over it. Stir to dissolve and let cool.
  2. Combine the strawberries with the basil and 1/4 cup of the sugar syrup in a blender. Puree until smooth.
  3. To make the lemonade, fill a glass with ice and add 3 tablespoons of lemon juice, 3 tablespoons of the strawberry puree, 1/2 cup cold water, and 1 to 2 tablespoons of sugar syrup, depending on how sweet you like it. Stir well and serve right away!

See what other Food52ers are saying.

  • MQAvatar
    MQAvatar
  • JanetFL
    JanetFL
  • chairmanhu
    chairmanhu
  • Merrill Stubbs
    Merrill Stubbs

7 Reviews

Danielle May 26, 2019
For how many? Can I make a pitcher all combined already?
 
MQAvatar December 21, 2013
I love that flavor combination. I think I'll have to do a comparison between the fresh puree and a cooked strawberry basil syrup, which would be easier to keep over a longer period.
 
Merrill S. December 21, 2013
You could also use frozen strawberries for a cooked syrup, which makes it a bit easier...
 
Harry G. June 24, 2013
This could ask be made with fresh limes
 
JanetFL June 22, 2013
So summery! Yum!
 
chairmanhu June 21, 2013
+ Vodka
 
Merrill S. June 21, 2013
Right on.