How to Make Strawberry Basil Lemonade: Your New Favorite Drink

Our Strawberry Basil Lemonade Recipe is a summer drink with fresh basil, sweet strawberries, and tangy lemon juice. It tastes really good and is very refreshing. 

It’s perfect to serve at summer events like picnics and parties because of its unique flavor and lovely pink color. You can even enjoy it as a non-alcoholic drink during the day or add some vodka to create a fancy cocktail for evening parties.

3 glasses strawberry basil lemonade

Strawberry Basil Lemonade

No blender, no strainer, just a surprisingly delicious blend of fresh basil, sweet strawberries, and tart lemon juice. A grownup lemonade that's a perfect base for a cocktail.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 5 minutes
chilling 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 15 minutes
Serving Size 6 servings

Ingredients 

Strawberry Basil Syrup

  • 1 cup strawberries sliced (frozen is perfect!)
  • ¾ cup sugar
  • ½ cup water
  • ½ cup fresh basil leaves

To Make the Lemonade

  • 1 cup fresh lemon juice 7-10 lemons
  • 3 cups water for mixing

Instructions 

  • Make the strawberry syrup. In a small pot on medium heat, mix the strawberries, sugar, and water. Wait for it to boil, then lower the heat. Mash the strawberries with a fork or potato masher while they soften.
    sauce pan with whole berries and mashed strawberry syrup.
  • Finishing the syrup. Let it simmer for 1-3 minutes until the strawberries are fully softened and the syrup has thickened a bit. Then, take it off the heat and let it cool down a bit.
    saucepan with whole strawberries.
  • Steep the basil. Put the basil leaves into the hot syrup and make sure they are fully covered.Leave the mixture for at least 15 minutes so that the basil flavor can become stronger.Take out the basil leaves and throw them away.
    saucepan with basil leaves and strawberries.
  • Mix and chill. Get a big pitcher and mix together the strawberry basil syrup (including the fruit bits), lemon juice, and water. Stir everything well. Put the pitcher in the fridge and let the lemonade chill for approximately 1 hour until it's completely cool.
  • Serve. Put some ice in glasses and pour the chilled lemonade. To make it look fancier, you can add a lemon wedge, a fresh basil leaf, and a slice of strawberry on top.
    overhead view with basil leaves and whole berries

Notes

To make an alcoholic version of this drink, you can add 1.5 ounces of lemon or strawberry-flavored vodka to each glass.
You can use bottled lemon juice for this recipe, but freshly squeezed lemon juice will have a better taste.
Choose ripe strawberries as they are sweeter and more flavorful. If you’re using frozen strawberries, you can add them directly to the pot without thawing them first.
Make sure that the fresh basil leaves are bright green and not wilted. If you want a stronger basil flavor, steep the basil for a longer time, or for a more subtle flavor, steep the basil for a shorter time.
After your syrup has cooled down a bit, taste it to see if it’s too sweet. If it is, add a bit more lemon juice to the lemonade mix. If it’s not sweet enough, add a little extra sugar to the hot syrup and stir until it dissolves.
Calories: 104kcal | Carbohydrates: 27g | Protein: 0.2g | Fat: 0.2g | Saturated Fat: 0.003g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.04g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.01g | Sodium: 7mg | Potassium: 37mg | Fiber: 0.5g | Sugar: 26g | Vitamin A: 3IU | Vitamin C: 14mg | Calcium: 8mg | Iron: 0.1mg

More Tips:

Before juicing lemons, roll them on the counter or microwave them for 15 seconds to break down some of the fibers and make it easier to squeeze out more juice.

You can use the strawberry basil syrup in other drinks or pour it over desserts like ice cream or yogurt to add more flavor.

To prevent any sticky residue, clean your saucepan and utensils with hot, soapy water immediately after use.

closeup of strawberry lemonade in mason jar.

Serving Suggestions

This recipe pairs well with BBQ Ribs or Chicken, Grilled Veggie Skewers, a fresh garden salad, or light sandwiches or wraps.

About the Ingredients

Here are some ingredient substitutions you can try :

  • Strawberries: You can use frozen ones without thawing them. For a different fruity twist, use raspberry or peach slices.
  • Sugar: Instead of granulated sugar, use honey or maple syrup. Just use ⅔ of the amount since they are sweeter.
  • Basil: Mint or thyme is a great alternative for a different herbal note.
  • Lemon Juice: You can use lime juice instead for a slightly different citrus flavor.
ingredients on marble counter.

Remember that substituting ingredients may change the taste of the lemonade, but experimenting with different ingredients can lead to delightful new variations.

Storage Instructions

To store the lemonade, use a glass pitcher or a container with an airtight lid. Keep it in the fridge and drink it within 3-5 days to enjoy the best flavor. 

It’s not advisable to freeze lemonade. When thawed, the lemonade’s texture and consistency may change, and the perfect balance of flavors between basil, strawberries, and lemon may be lost.

3 glasses strawberry lemonade with basil leaves.

This Strawberry Basil Lemonade recipe offers a refreshing twist on a classic drink. It’s perfect for summer gatherings or a relaxing day at home, so give it a try!

picture of smiling female

By Katie Shaw

Katie lives in Virginia with her husband, three daughters, a chocolate lab, and over thirty chickens. She loves creating simple tutorials for sourdough, bread, and soap. Her recipes, articles, and YouTube videos reach millions of people per year.

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