Strawberry Basil Lemonade
A vibrant, refreshing lemonade infused with strawberries and basil.
What is this drink?
Strawberry Basil Lemonade is a vibrant, herb-infused non-alcoholic lemonade that blends fresh strawberries and basil leaves with lemon juice and sugar for a beautifully pink, aromatic drink that is both refreshing and unexpectedly sophisticated.
Why you'll love it
The combination of sweet strawberries, fresh lemon's sharpness, and basil's herbal, slightly peppery aroma creates an unexpectedly complex and wonderful flavor — familiar yet surprising, making it a crowd-pleaser that is also genuinely memorable.
When to serve
Perfect for garden parties, farm-to-table dinners, brunch gatherings, summer outdoor events, or any occasion where a beautiful, herb-forward mocktail that looks as impressive as it tastes is exactly what the moment calls for.
Pro tip
Blend the strawberries, basil, and a small amount of the lemon juice first, then add the remaining ingredients — this technique produces a more evenly infused, vibrant green-tinged pink lemonade with better basil distribution throughout.
Fresh Strawberries
Blended ripe strawberries provide the primary sweetness, gorgeous pink color, and familiar fruity flavor that makes this lemonade immediately appealing and visually stunning.
Fresh Basil
Blended fresh basil is the unexpected ingredient that transforms this from simple strawberry lemonade into something genuinely special — its peppery, herbal, and slightly anise-like notes create a sophisticated, memorable depth of flavor.
Fresh Lemon Juice
Freshly squeezed lemon juice provides the essential tartness that gives this lemonade its character, balancing both the strawberry's sweetness and basil's herbal quality into a harmonious, refreshing whole.
Swap Options
Replace basil with fresh mint for a more classic herbal-strawberry lemonade. Use raspberries alongside the strawberries for deeper berry complexity. Add sparkling water to the finished lemonade for a Strawberry Basil Lemonade Spritzer.
Blend base
Blend strawberries, basil, lemon juice, sugar, and water until smooth.
Tips:
- •Adjust sugar to taste.
Strain and serve
Strain if desired, pour over ice, and garnish with basil leaf.
Tips:
- •Use fresh basil for best aroma.
- Add sparkling water for fizz.
- Mix with mint instead of basil for variation.
Different ways to make this drink your own
Strawberry Basil Lemonade Spritzer
Add sparkling water to the finished lemonade for a fizzy, effervescent version. The carbonation lifts the strawberry's fruity sweetness and the basil's herbal notes beautifully, transforming the lemonade into a more festive, party-ready sparkling mocktail.
Raspberry Basil Lemonade
Add a handful of fresh raspberries alongside the strawberries for a more complex, tart berry base. The raspberry's sharpness deepens the lemonade's flavor and creates a more vibrant, jewel-toned pink color with an extra layer of berry complexity.
Strawberry Mint Lemonade
Replace basil with fresh spearmint for a more classic, cooling herbal variation. Mint's menthol freshness is a natural pairing with strawberry and lemon, producing a more familiar but still excellent alternative to the basil original.
Tools that make this drink come together
Blender or Muddler
Blending strawberries produces the smoothest, most vibrant puree for a refined lemonade. Muddling works for a more rustic, textured result. Either method extracts the strawberry's juice and color effectively — blend for elegance, muddle for character.
Fine Mesh Strainer
Straining the blended strawberry and basil mixture removes seeds and leaf fragments for a clean, smooth lemonade base. Pressing the pulp firmly through the strainer extracts maximum juice and flavor from every berry.
Citrus Juicer
Fresh lemon juice is the foundational element that transforms the strawberry from a simple berry drink into a proper lemonade. A citrus juicer extracts clean, consistent juice efficiently, ensuring the right balance of tart acidity in every glass.
Can't Find These?
Mash strawberries and basil with a fork in a bowl and strain through any strainer. Squeeze lemons by hand. Any tall clear glass works perfectly — the vibrant pink color and herbal aroma of this lemonade needs no special equipment to impress.
The right glass makes a real difference
Tall Glass or Mason Jar
A tall, clear glass or a wide-mouthed Mason jar is the ideal vessel for Strawberry Basil Lemonade — both show off the drink's beautiful deep pink color and accommodate a generous amount of ice, a lemon slice, and a fresh basil sprig garnish that makes the herbal character immediately apparent. A Mason jar adds a charming, artisanal quality that suits the fresh-picked, garden-herb character of this lemonade.
Alternatives
A stemless wine glass creates a more elegant presentation for summer garden parties. Any clear glass works well — the vivid color and fresh basil garnish are what define the drink's visual identity.
Perfect food pairings to complete the experience
Caprese Skewers
Fresh mozzarella, cherry tomato, and basil skewers share the lemonade's defining basil note while the tomato's acidity echoes the lemon's tartness. A cohesive, Italian-inspired pairing where both the drink and the snack reinforce each other.
Strawberry and Goat Cheese Crostini
Creamy goat cheese with sliced fresh strawberries on toasted crostini mirrors the lemonade's strawberry character in an elegant savory-sweet appetizer. The cheese's tang amplifies the lemon's acidity and makes the drink taste brighter.
Grilled Chicken Salad
A light grilled chicken salad with strawberries, candied pecans, and balsamic dressing creates a cohesive, berry-forward summer meal. The lemonade's tartness and herbal freshness act as a natural palate cleanser between bites.
Lemon Poppy Seed Cake
A lemon poppy seed cake amplifies the lemonade's citrus character in baked form while the strawberry notes create a berry-and-citrus dessert moment that feels intentionally paired rather than accidentally matched.
Prep in advance for effortless serving
Make Strawberry Basil Syrup
Simmer blended strawberries with sugar, water, and fresh basil for 10 minutes, then strain and cool. This concentrated syrup keeps refrigerated for one week and allows instant lemonade by combining two tablespoons with fresh lemon juice and water per serving.
Pre-Blend and Strain Strawberries
Blend and strain fresh strawberries up to 24 hours ahead, storing the puree in a sealed jar with a splash of lemon juice to prevent oxidation and browning. Having puree ready makes assembly effortless for a group.
Pre-Juice Lemons
Juice lemons up to 24 hours ahead and store in a sealed jar. Fresh lemon juice retains its bright, aromatic character for a full day, making batch preparation for a party entirely practical and time-efficient.
Prepare a Pitcher Lemonade
Combine all components in a large pitcher and refrigerate for up to 8 hours, keeping ice out until serving. Add fresh basil leaves for the final 30 minutes of refrigeration so the herb infuses gently without turning the lemonade too intense.
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