Sparkling Strawberry Basil Lemonade
Make a refreshing, homemade sparkling lemonade featuring the sweet taste of strawberries, the herbal note of basil, and bright lemon juice.
- Prep Time: 15 min
- Cook Time: 5 min
- Total Time: 50 min
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Beverage
- Method: Stovetop and Mixing
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup fresh strawberries, hulled and halved
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup water
- 1/2 cup fresh basil leaves, packed
- 1 cup fresh lemon juice (about 4-6 lemons)
- 3 cups cold sparkling water or club soda
- Ice cubes
Instructions
- Make the strawberry basil syrup: Combine sugar and water in a small saucepan. Heat over medium heat, stirring until sugar dissolves completely.
- Remove the syrup from the heat. Add the halved strawberries and basil leaves to the hot syrup. Gently muddle the strawberries and basil into the syrup mixture.
- Let the mixture steep for at least 30 minutes to infuse the flavors.
- Strain the syrup through a fine-mesh sieve into a clean bowl, pressing gently on the solids to extract liquid. Discard the solids. You should have strawberry basil syrup.
- In a pitcher, combine the strained syrup and the fresh lemon juice. Stir well.
- To serve, fill glasses with ice. Pour the lemonade base into each glass, filling about one-third to one-half full, depending on your preferred strength.
- Top each glass with cold sparkling water or club soda. Stir gently.
- Garnish each drink with a thin slice of strawberry, a lemon wheel, and a fresh basil sprig.
Notes
- For a stronger basil flavor, gently clap the basil leaves between your palms before adding them to the hot syrup.
- If you prefer a less sweet drink, reduce the sugar in the syrup to 3/4 cup.
- This recipe makes a concentrated base; adjust the amount of sparkling water to control dilution.
- To make this an alcoholic beverage, add 1.5 ounces of vodka or gin per serving before adding the sparkling water.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 glass (approx. 12 oz)
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 35
- Sodium: 5
- Fat: 0.2
- Saturated Fat: 0
- Unsaturated Fat: 0.1
- Trans Fat: 0
- Carbohydrates: 46
- Fiber: 1.5
- Protein: 0.5
- Cholesterol: 0