Black Pepper Free Strawberry Basil Lemonade
Bright, fruity, and just a little unexpected, this strawberry basil lemonade is the kind of drink that makes a regular afternoon feel like a special occasion. Fresh strawberries and fragrant basil get blended together with a honey simple syrup, then strained into a pitcher with real lemon juice for a sip that's floral, tart, and naturally sweet all at once. Because every single ingredient here is a whole, recognizable food, you never have to second-guess what's in your glass — no spice blends, no seasoning mixes, nothing hiding in the background. Honey stands in beautifully for refined sugar, giving the syrup a rounded, slightly floral sweetness that pairs perfectly with the brightness of fresh-squeezed lemon. The basil might sound like a wild card, but blending it straight into the strawberry mixture means its herby, aromatic quality weaves through every sip rather than sitting on top. Serve it over a big pile of ice with a sprig of basil and a lemon slice, and it looks as gorgeous as it tastes.
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Learn more →Ingredients
4 servings
For the honey simple syrup
- ¼ cup honey
- ¼ cup water
For the lemonade
- 1 lb fresh strawberries, hulled and halved
- ¾ cup fresh lemon juice (from about 5–6 lemons)
- 10 fresh basil leaves
- 2 cups cold water
For serving
- ice, for serving
- fresh basil sprigs, for serving (optional)
- lemon slices, for serving (optional)
Instructions
- 1
Combine the honey and 1/4 cup water in a small saucepan over medium heat, stirring until the honey is fully dissolved, about 2 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool for 15 minutes until no longer warm to the touch.
- 2
Add the strawberries, basil leaves, and cooled honey syrup to a blender. Blend on high until completely smooth, about 30 seconds.
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