Fresh Sparkling Strawberry Lemonade with Basil
A refreshing homemade sparkling strawberry lemonade infused with fresh basil, perfect for summer. This easy recipe combines the bright sweetness of strawberries, the zing of lemon, and an unexpected herbal twist.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Beverage
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup (150g) fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced
- 1/2 cup (120ml) fresh lemon juice
- 10–12 fresh basil leaves
- 1/3 cup (65g) granulated sugar or honey, adjust to taste
- 3 cups (720ml) cold sparkling water
- Ice cubes
- Optional: lemon slices and basil sprigs for garnish
Instructions
- Rinse and hull 1 cup (150g) of fresh strawberries. Place them in a blender or food processor and pulse until smooth. Set aside.
- Using a citrus juicer or by hand, extract about 1/2 cup (120ml) of fresh lemon juice. Remove any seeds.
- In a large pitcher, add 10-12 fresh basil leaves. Gently muddle with a wooden spoon or muddler just enough to release the oils without shredding the leaves to bitterness.
- Add the strawberry puree, lemon juice, and 1/3 cup (65g) granulated sugar or honey into the pitcher with basil. Stir well until the sugar dissolves completely. Taste and adjust sweetness if needed.
- Refrigerate the mixture for at least 10 minutes to let the flavors meld.
- Add 3 cups (720ml) cold sparkling water and gently stir to combine, preserving the bubbles.
- Fill glasses with ice cubes. Pour the sparkling strawberry lemonade over the ice. Garnish with a lemon slice and a fresh basil sprig.
Notes
Do not over-muddle basil to avoid bitterness. Chill the base mixture before adding sparkling water to keep bubbles lively. Adjust sweetness or tartness by adding more sugar or lemon juice as needed. For a smoother lemonade, strain the strawberry puree. Store base mixture without sparkling water in the fridge up to 2 days. Add sparkling water just before serving.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup (240ml)
- Calories: 70
- Sugar: 15
- Sodium: 5
- Carbohydrates: 18
- Fiber: 1
Keywords: sparkling strawberry lemonade, basil lemonade, summer drink, homemade lemonade, refreshing beverage, easy lemonade recipe