Citric Acid Free Strawberry Basil Lemonade
Fresh strawberries, fragrant basil, and real squeezed lemon juice come together in a drink that tastes like the best version of summer you've ever had. The natural sweetness of the strawberries and a honey simple syrup do the heavy lifting here, so there's no need for any added citric acid — just pure, bright flavor from whole ingredients. Many store-bought lemonades and fruit drinks sneak in citric acid as a preservative or flavor enhancer, which makes finding a safe option genuinely tricky, but this one is made entirely from scratch so you know exactly what's in the glass. Blending the strawberries and basil together before straining creates a silky, jewel-toned base that feels far more special than anything from a bottle. The honey syrup is quick to pull together and adds a gentle floral depth that plain sugar just can't match. Serve it over a big pile of ice with a sprig of basil tucked in, and it's instantly the most beautiful drink on the table.
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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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