Barley Free Strawberry Basil Sparkling Cooler
Fresh strawberries, fragrant basil, a splash of lemon, and fizzy water — this sparkling cooler is the kind of drink that makes a regular afternoon feel like a special occasion. The homemade strawberry-basil syrup is the real star here, built by gently simmering fruit with maple syrup and then steeping in fresh basil leaves until the whole thing smells absolutely incredible. That steeping step is what sets this apart from anything you'd pour out of a bottle. Every single ingredient in this drink is naturally free of grain-based additives, so there's no label-scanning or second-guessing required — just clean, vibrant flavors you can feel good about. A squeeze of fresh lemon juice ties the sweetness together and gives it a bright, refreshing lift that keeps you coming back for another sip. Serve it over ice with a halved strawberry and a basil sprig and it looks stunning, whether you're hosting guests or just treating yourself on a warm afternoon.
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Learn more →Ingredients
4 servings
For the strawberry basil syrup
- 2 cups fresh strawberries, hulled and halved
- 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.
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