Refreshing Strawberry Basil Lemonade is the perfect summer mocktail that everyone can enjoy at picnics and barbecues. Basil leaves steep in fresh strawberry simple syrup for an unusually delicious sipper! This recipe makes a gallon, but you can easily halve it to make two quarts.
Today is as glorious a New England day as you can imagine. June. Summer. Brilliant azure sky. No humidity. 75°. I should be at the beach!
We did hit the beach yesterday for a gentle come-down off our son Jonathan’s high school graduation party Sunday. Unfortunately the weather wasn’t as cooperative on Sunday.
Sunday’s forecast was good, but on the way home from church the sky clouded over and the wind picked up. The sun was elusive, peeking out from behind the clouds every so often.
Then when our back yard was overflowing with party guests, we heard a rumble or two and the drops started falling. It wasn’t a wash out, but enough of a threat that we scurried food inside.
Eventually the sun returned, but a cold front had definitely moved in and the temperature started dropping. Yep, timing is everything. (!) That’s when we lit the logs in the fire pit and started the coffee brewing!
So things have warmed up around here today and I was going to make a quick grocery run this morning for fresh strawberries to make delicious Strawberry Basil Lemonade to sip on the patio this afternoon. Since we aren’t headed to the beach today.
Then I remembered our wild strawberry patch out front under the hydrangea tree. And we’ve got a bumper crop this year. So Charlie and I picked a ton, filled three big bowls.
June is the perfect month to make Strawberry Basil Lemonade because the strawberries are juicy, red and in abundance everywhere. And the basil is out of control in my herb pots.
The aroma of that fragrant basil steeping in the sweet strawberry simple syrup is absolutely intoxicating! Sweet and tart strawberry lemonade melds with delicious peppery basil in a refreshing sipper for your next patio or pool party!
Strawberry Basil Lemonade Recipe
Ingredients
Strawberry Basil Syrup:
- 2 cups sugar
- 1 1/4 cups water
- 6 cups sliced strawberries
- 1 cup tightly packed basil leaves
Lemonade
- 2 cups lemon juice
- 10 cups water
- Optional: lemon slices strawberry slices and basil leaves for garnish
Instructions
- In a medium pan on the stove top, heat 2 cups sugar and 1 1/4 cups water together until sugar dissolves.
- Turn the heat down to a simmer and add sliced strawberries.
- Simmer on low for about 10 minutes or so until strawberries are very soft.
- Turn off the heat, and stir in fresh basil leaves.
- Let the basil leaves steep in the hot strawberry syrup until the mixture comes to room temperature.
- (You can put the pan in the refrigerator to speed up the cooling process.)
- Press the mixture through a strainer into a gallon jug, pressing to get all the juice.
- Discard the remaining basil leaves and strawberry solids.
- Pour lemon juice and strawberry basil syrup into a 1 gallon jug or pitcher.
- Fill pitcher with water and stir.
- Optional: garnish with lemon slices, strawberry slices and fresh basil leaves
You may also like: Triple Easy Homemade Lemonade
Marilyn says
This looks delicious! Now that we are jumping right into summer with temps on a warming trend and expected to reach 90 on Sunday, cool beverages will be in demand instead of the hot chocolate last Sunday’s weather inspired!
Emily @ Life on Food says
This drink is everything summer is about. I am going to make a batch the next time we have a BBQ.
Kelly @ Nosh and Nourish says
This looks great! And I love that you have a plethora of strawberries that just happen to be growing under a hydrangea tree… so cool! We planted strawberries in our yard last year… and as soon as any of them were ripe/red a bunny would steal them. Dang bunnies! LOL. So I just buy the organic ones at the grocery store (strawberries, not bunnies!)
Catherine says
Dear Allie, what a fabulous drink. There is really nothing better than homegrown strawberries. This just makes me want to step away from the computer, go outside and relax in the sun! Cheers to a beautiful summer dear. xo, Catherine
Aunt Pinkie says
Looks so refreshing and your pictures are fabulous!
Shashi @ RunninSrilankan says
Oh my! I was wondering how Jonathan’s graduation party went and I’m so glad it wasn’t a total wash-out – though a few rain drops fell. How are you doing with it all, sweet friend? My daughter has one more year and I find myself getting “soupy” just contemplating her going off at the end of it.
By the way, I don’t think I’d want to make anything less than a gallon of this – this sounds so incredible! So intoxicating! I’d cut my yard and my neighbors for a gallon of this! Loving the strawberry simple syrup with basil seeped in – just blown away by this mocktail, Allie! Thanks so much for sharing! Hope you have a wonderful day – the weekend will be here before you know it! XOXO
P.S. – you say 75 and mention the beach – but I think 75 and wonder where my cardigan is! Bwaha North vs South living eh?!
Cynthia | What A Girl Eats says
So beautiful! I love the addition of basil! Perfect summertime sip!
Marye says
This lemonade looks so refreshing, I love the strawberry and basil combination!
Denise Q. says
This looks just beautiful and I’ll bet tastes amazing.
Susie Mandel says
What a pretty drink! I may need to add some alcohol these days, hahaha!
Allie says
I was thinking the same thing come 4 o’lock today, Susie… just add 1 cup of gin or vodka to the gallon and watch your cares slip away. Ha ha. (Seriously, I do think it is about a cup of either of those spirits.)
Carina says
Mmm, sounds refreshing, Allie! I am loving the photographs: the bright reds and yellows popping up from that warm orange, all contrasted by the fresh, bright green. Beautiful! I’ll be enjoying this one, soon. 🙂 xoxo
Sylvie says
Sounds perfect on a hot day, and love that you picked your own strawberries for it!
Kathy @ Beyond the Chicken Coop says
Congrats to your son on his graduation! I love all your fresh strawberries and I love turning it into strawberry lemonade. With all the basil I have, I’ve never thought to add it to a beverage. I will need to give this a try since the basil is going crazy right now!
Cheyanne @ No Spoon Necessary says
I’m so glad your son’s graduation party was still a success despite the crazy weather that day. As for 75 and no humidity yesterday, WOW – that sounds so PERFECT. Definitely a day to be outside and frolic about! Basil and strawberries are so delicious together so I am loving this flavor of lemonade, Allie! This is definitely the perfect sip for summer!! Come 5 o’clock, I might add a splash of vodka though. lol. 🙂 So pretty and refreshing! Love it! Cheers, lovely! xoxo
Shinee says
Great mind think alike, Allie! I just posted blueberry lemonade today too. I love your basil strawberry version. Can’t wait to try it!
Kristen says
I am so sorry the weather did not cooperate with your son’s graduation celebration!! And congratulations to him! But I am sure all were happy with this tasty lemonade–my favorite flavors right here
Michelle | A Dish of Daily Life says
I hate it when the weather doesn’t cooperate for parties!! My husband now puts a tent up in the pool area all summer long now, partly because it just makes it easier when the weather is lousy but we’d already planned a party. I can’t wait to try out your lemonade…I love drinks like this! So refreshing!
Eva says
Je crois que celle ci pourrais être ma boisson préférée pour l’été! Love basilic, son odeur a vraiment le parfum de l’été! xo