Artificial Food Coloring Free Strawberry Basil Sparkling Cooler

Total time45 min

Prep time10 min

Cook time5 min

Artificial Food Coloring Free Strawberry Basil Sparkling Cooler

Fresh strawberries, fragrant basil, maple syrup, lemon juice, and sparkling water — that is genuinely everything in this drink, and it shows. So many store-bought sodas and flavored sparkling beverages sneak in synthetic dyes to achieve that pretty pink hue, which makes finding a clean option frustrating. Here, the gorgeous rosy color comes entirely from real strawberries simmered down into a lightly sweet syrup, so there is nothing artificial going on at all. The basil steeps into the warm syrup and adds this subtle herbal note that makes the whole thing feel a little fancy without any extra effort. A squeeze of lemon brightens it up, and once it hits the sparkling water over ice, you get this effervescent, refreshing cooler that tastes like summer in a glass. It is the kind of drink you will want to make for guests just so they can ask what is in it.

About Fig

Fig is a food discovery app that helps you find foods and recipes that fit your dietary needs. Whether you have food allergies, intolerances, or follow a specific diet, Fig makes it easy to eat with confidence.

Learn more →

Ingredients

4 servings

For the strawberry basil syrup

2 cups fresh strawberries, hulled and halved
GPC Strawberries Clear Springs Strawberries Naturipe Farmed Fresh Strawberries Oppy's Ocean Spray Strawberries Dole Strawberries
See all
¼ cup maple syrup
¼ cup water
10 fresh basil leaves, plus more for garnish

For the cooler

2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
4 cups sparkling water, chilled
2 cups ice cubes

For serving

4 fresh strawberries, halved (optional)
4 fresh basil sprigs (optional)

Instructions

1
Combine the strawberries, maple syrup, and water in a small saucepan over medium heat. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the strawberries have softened and released their juices and the liquid is lightly syrupy, about 5 minutes.
2
Remove the pan from the heat. Add the basil leaves and press them gently into the warm syrup with a muddler or the back of a spoon. Let the mixture steep for 10 minutes, until the syrup is fragrant with basil.

Want the full recipe?

Create a Fig account for step-by-step instructions, access to our full recipe library, and more!