Refreshing Sparkling Strawberry Basil Lemonade
A crisp, cool, and unexpectedly calming sparkling lemonade with fresh strawberries, basil, and lemon juice. Perfect for hot summer afternoons and backyard gatherings.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Beverage
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced (about 150g)
- 10–12 fresh basil leaves
- 3 large fresh lemons, juiced (about 1/2 cup or 120ml lemon juice)
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar (100g), adjust to taste
- 1 cup cold water (240ml)
- 3 cups sparkling water, chilled (720ml)
- Ice cubes, plenty for serving
- Optional: fresh mint leaves
- Optional: honey or agave syrup as sugar substitute
Instructions
- Prepare the simple syrup: In a small saucepan, combine 1/2 cup granulated sugar with 1 cup cold water. Heat gently over medium heat, stirring occasionally until sugar dissolves completely. Remove from heat and let cool to room temperature (about 10 minutes).
- Muddle strawberries and basil: In a large pitcher, add sliced strawberries and fresh basil leaves. Use a muddler or wooden spoon to gently crush them, releasing juices and aromas. Do not over-muddle.
- Add lemon juice and simple syrup: Pour in freshly squeezed lemon juice (about 1/2 cup) and the cooled simple syrup. Stir gently to combine.
- Chill the base: Place the pitcher in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes to let flavors mingle. Minimum 15 minutes if short on time.
- Add sparkling water and ice: Just before serving, add 3 cups chilled sparkling water to the pitcher. Stir gently to mix without flattening bubbles. Add plenty of ice cubes.
- Serve: Pour into tall glasses, ensuring each glass gets some muddled strawberry and basil bits. Garnish with a lemon wheel or basil sprig if desired.
Notes
Use ripe strawberries for natural sweetness to reduce added sugar. Muddle basil gently to avoid bitterness. Chill the lemonade base before adding sparkling water to preserve fizz. Strain if a smoother texture is preferred. Frozen strawberries can be used but may dilute flavor. Adjust sweetness to taste. Pre-chill glasses for extra refreshment.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup (240ml)
- Calories: 90
- Sugar: 22
- Sodium: 5
- Carbohydrates: 23
- Fiber: 1
Keywords: sparkling lemonade, strawberry basil lemonade, summer drink, refreshing beverage, easy lemonade recipe, non-alcoholic drink, kid-friendly drink