Strawberry Basil Lemonade

This pink lemonade tastes refreshing, and is great addition to Summer Party drinks. Make concentrate ahead, refrigerate, and then just mix when needed.

Strawberry Basil Lemonade
Diet Info: DF GF F LF Na LS VG V Fa

This refreshing pink lemonade will be every kid's favorite on your next Summer-time Party. I promise! A 20 minutes easy refreshment uses only 4 basic ingredients - fresh strawberries, fresh basil, sugar, and lemon!! And makes a good amount of Lemonade Concentrate which you make once and use many times!

As beautiful as it looks, it is special favorite color of kids when it comes to choosing a drink. Plus fruity fragrance of strawberries and basil even allures adults to enjoy a glass!

Strawberry Basil Lemonade | chefdehome.com

I love the refreshing taste of lemonades in summers! But, I had only tasted lemons or lime..... max orange :), lemonades all my life!! I never knew that a "pink lemonade" existed, until few years ago, some family-friends visited us with their two little daughters.

When I asked for their daughter's meal preference, my friend told me that her girls will eat anything if it accompanies Pink Lemonade. Caught by surprise, I kept thinking.... Now, how on this earth will I find pink lemonade!! ;) Texted my friend to suggest something and she told me about these Italian Sparkling Lemonades which we could easily find in Wholefoods.

However, once I got the idea, what is this Pink Lemonade........ I even made a fresh batch for them using Hibiscus Flowers. My friend was so right, her girls just kept going back for more lemonade... whole day!

No kidding, it actually looks very enticing and eye catchy! Isn't it? Well..... just to me, Vishal says, 'it's not for him'.... may be..... it's my girl(y)-instinct that fell in love with the color since I saw it !

Strawberry Basil Lemonade | chefdehome.com

How about you? Do you love Pinky Lemonades? :-))

When serving Vishal, I jazz it up with sparkling water and never stir the concentrate. (like shown in pictures here) Plus garnish with fresh berries, lemon slice and basil to make it look like a Zippy Summer Mocktail. ;)

For me or to serve kids, I stir it in a big pitcher with water and ice. simple! simply best pink lemonade!! (this picture coming soon!) Here you have it! Yesterday, I made last batch of my Strawberry Lemonade Concentrate and clicked this picture for you! OMG!!!!! Refreshing!! Need to buy more strawberries!! :)

Refreshing Strawberry Basil Pink Lemonade - a treat for Kids in Summers | chefdehome.com

Why Strawberries?

Well..... first because I love the color. Plus, in strawberry season, fruity fragrance of strawberries is simply hard to resist! This lemonade captures the essence so well..... that not just taste, you will enjoy the aroma too! Every sip forces you to keep going back for one more...... as if your brain is telling you to sniff that "basket of fresh strawberries" in Farmer's Market..... again and again....

Why Basil?

First, I have plenty of basil in my garden (patio garden to be precise.. hehe) to use :) Second, fresh herbs not only enhance the taste but are also good for health.

This recipe will yield about 2 cups of Strawberry-Basil Lemonade Concentrate. I use about 4 tbsp concentrate for one cup of water. Feel free to adjust per taste.

You can also cook double batch of concentrate and keep it refrigerated for later use. This way, you can meet demands of chilled, refreshing, (and secretly healthy) drink anytime! It has no artificial preservatives, or anything unnatural. So, it is good for kids.

If sugar bothers you, replace it with honey or agave. I suggest, cook berries without sugar. Then add honey or agave while making lemonade. This way, you can also serve it to anyone asking for "sugar-free" drink! Isn't it cool?

Easy Refreshing Fruity Strawberry Basil Lemonade | chefdehome.com

I'm sure you enjoying long weekend!

Don't wait!! Capture the fragrance of fruit strawberries into a big batch of lemonade and enjoy summer time!


Few more Refreshing Drinks for a Summer-Time Party!

Refreshing Summer Peach Ice Tea Sparkling Hibiscus Lemonade Mexican Watermelon-Jalapeno Agua Fresca

Strawberry Basil Lemonade

Strawberry Basil Lemonade
Total Time: Prep Time: Cook Time: Cuisine: American () Difficulty: Easy
Yields: 2 Cups Concentrate - Serves: 8
(2 Cups Concentrate is good to make 1/2 Gallon Lemonade for Party)

Ingredients

Strawberry Basil Lemonade Concentrate
Lemonade
Smart Swap: Use natural sweetener like honey or agave instead of sugar.

Directions

  • Step for Recipe - Strawberry Basil Lemonade 1. In a food processor or using hand blender, fine puree strawberries with salt and 1 cup water.
    Step for Recipe - Strawberry Basil Lemonade 2. Transfer purred strawberries to a heavy bottom sauce pan with sugar. Bring to rolling boil, then cook for 6-8 minutes on low-medium heat until sugar has dissolved, and foam starts to dissipate. 5 minutes into cooking, add the chopped basil leaves, and lemon juice into the mixture and keep cooking. Additional Notes: Stir the liquid once or twice so that sugar does not burn.
  • Step for Recipe - Strawberry Basil Lemonade 3. Run the cooked strawberries mix through a strainer or food mill, then discard solids. Set aside until strawberry lemonade concentrate is room temperature. Refrigerate until ready to use.
    Step for Recipe - Strawberry Basil Lemonade 4. To make lemonade, pour lemonade concentrate, 5-6 cups of water, sliced strawberries, fresh basil leaves into a tumbler. Stir to mix. Pour ice just before serving. If you prefer, you can also keep concentrate as-is and serve in glasses topped with sparkling water. Garnish with strawberries, lemon, and basil. (just as shown in pictures)
Savita's Notes:

Store extra lemonade concentrate in air-tight jar in refrigerator for up-to 1 week.

Perfect for serving kids a fresh fruit drink instead of soda.

DID YOU MAKE THIS RECIPE? Tag @SAVITACHEFDEHOME on Instagram and hashtag it #SAVITACHEFDEHOME

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18 Responses

  1. Savita, can I freeze the extra lemonade concentrate in ice cube trays & then put them in ziplock bags in the freezer? How long could I freeze them?
    Hi Lynn, frozen lemonade concentrate should stay good for 4-6 months when kept in sealable bag.
  2. Savita this lemonade looks so amazing!! Perfect summer weather treat!
    Ami, thanks! I can never have enough lemonade in summer!
  3. Strawberry and basil is always a winning combination in my book. Love them both! This looks like such an easy and healthy recipe. Thanks for sharing! I'm looking forward to trying it soon, especially since the strawberries are looking so enticing right now.
    I agree, basil and strawberry really beautiful combination. Not just a treat for taste buds but it's fragrance makes me enchanted too :) Thanks, Sandra :) I'm sure you gonna love the taste of this Strawberry-Basil lemonade.
  4. The strawberry lemonade looks absolutely stunning Savita...I think its just not favourite colour with kids, I too would pick this one:)...I would have personally opted mint over basil but would love to give this a try:)
    Padma. I would say if you have never tried basil in a lemonade, you should try once! Mint is always great but basil gives beautiful herbaceous taste and aroma! You will love it!
  5. This sounds SO refreshing and a great way to try and cut down on soda too.
    Dannii, I agree! More homemade drinks can really help kids stay away from soda.
  6. Wow, this strawberry lemonade looks so refreshing and vibrant, Savita. I love strawberries. Would sure try this next time when I buy strawberries. :D And I also made pink lemonade, but instead of strawberries I used watermelon. ;)
    Anu, do try I'm sure you will love floral fragrance of strawberries in lemonade! Pure addictive! Watermelon too sounds a great idea to make pink lemonade ! I will try it, next time I get watermelon ;)
  7. Indeed a tasty substitute of the soda drinks for kids. And once the concentrate is prepared and refrigerated then this drink can be made in a jiffy every time.Love the idea of adding basil.The clicks are exceptionally beautiful.
    Piyali, thanks! You know, that's the idea! Lemonade concentrate in fridge to avoid last minute soda cravings! :)
  8. I made a very similar lemonade recently, pretty much same except I didn't add strawberries. This looks so refreshing and delicious! Have a wonderful long weekend Savita :)
    :) this lemonade is all about strawberries :) i can't wait to try ur version! You too have a great weekend dear. many thanks for pin too!!
  9. I LOVE when herbs are added to drinks like this. It makes it so much more complex and delicious! Strawberries and basil sounds like a perfect combo :).
    I agree, herbs like mint or basil really make drinks pop!!