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Sparkling Strawberry Basil Lemonade with fresh ingredients in a glass.

Sparkling Strawberry Basil Lemonade

A refreshing drink that combines the bright flavors of lemon and strawberries with a hint of fresh basil and sparkling water, perfect for hot summer days.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Beverage, Party Drink
Cuisine: American, Summer
Calories: 120
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Fruit and Base
  • 2 cups Fresh strawberries, hulled You can use frozen strawberries if thawed.
  • 1 cup Fresh lemon juice Usually from about 5 to 7 lemons.
  • 1/3 to 1/2 cup Granulated sugar or honey Adjust based on desired sweetness.
  • 8 to 12 leaves Fresh basil More if you love basil.
  • 2 to 3 cups Cold water Adjust based on strength preference.
  • 2 to 3 cups Sparkling water or club soda Added just before serving.
  • 1 pinch Salt Optional, helps enhance flavors.
Serving
  • lots of ice Ice Fill glasses generously.

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Juice your lemons until you have about 1 cup of juice and remove seeds. Set aside.
  2. In a blender, add strawberries, lemon juice, sweetener, and 1 cup of cold water. Blend until very smooth.
  3. Add basil leaves and pulse a few times, avoiding over-blending.
  4. Taste the base. Adjust by adding more water if too strong or more sweetener if too tart.
  5. If desired, pour through a fine mesh strainer into a pitcher for a silky texture.
Serving
  1. Right before serving, stir in sparkling water or club soda.
  2. Fill glasses with ice, pour the lemonade, and garnish with a sliced strawberry and a basil leaf.
  3. For a special touch, rim the glass with sugar or a mixture of sugar and lemon zest.

Notes

For best results, chill the pitcher for at least 30 minutes before adding the sparkling water. Use fresh, ripe strawberries for the best flavor.