Refreshing Strawberry Basil Lemonade Mocktail
A quick and easy non-alcoholic summer drink combining fresh strawberries, basil, and tangy lemonade with sparkling water for a refreshing and flavorful mocktail.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Beverage
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced
- 10 to 12 fresh basil leaves, gently torn
- 3 large lemons, juiced (about 3/4 cup or 180 ml juice)
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar or honey (100 grams) for simple syrup
- 1 cup water (240 ml) for making simple syrup
- 3 cups sparkling water (720 ml), chilled
- Ice cubes as needed
- Optional: fresh mint leaves for garnish or extra herbal notes
- Optional: pinch of pink Himalayan salt in simple syrup
- Optional: lime juice to swap 1 lemon for lime
Instructions
- Make the simple syrup by combining 1/2 cup granulated sugar and 1 cup water in a saucepan. Heat over medium heat, stirring occasionally until sugar dissolves completely. Remove from heat, add a pinch of salt if using, and let cool to room temperature (about 10-15 minutes).
- Hull and slice 1 cup fresh strawberries. Gently tear 10-12 basil leaves and place both in a large pitcher or bowl.
- Using a muddler or wooden spoon, gently press the strawberries and basil together to release their juices and oils without turning into a puree.
- Juice 3 large lemons to get about 3/4 cup fresh lemon juice and pour it over the muddled strawberries and basil.
- Once the simple syrup has cooled, add it to the pitcher and stir everything together well.
- Optional: Strain the mixture through a fine mesh sieve into another pitcher for a smoother drink, pressing solids to extract maximum flavor. Otherwise, leave as is for a rustic texture.
- Just before serving, add 3 cups chilled sparkling water to the pitcher and stir gently to combine without losing fizz.
- Fill glasses with ice cubes, pour the strawberry basil lemonade over the ice, and garnish with extra basil leaves or strawberry slices. Serve immediately.
Notes
Do not over-muddle basil to avoid bitterness. Chill syrup before mixing to keep basil fresh. Adjust sweetness and tartness to taste. Chill glasses and sparkling water for best refreshment. Use frozen strawberries thawed and drained if fresh are unavailable. Store lemonade base without sparkling water up to 2 days in fridge.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8 oz (240 ml) per se
- Calories: 90
- Sugar: 20
- Sodium: 5
- Carbohydrates: 22
- Fiber: 1.5
- Protein: 0.5
Keywords: strawberry basil lemonade, mocktail, summer drink, non-alcoholic, refreshing beverage, easy recipe