Vegan Strawberry Basil Sparkling Cooler
Fresh strawberries and fragrant basil come together in a homemade syrup that makes this sparkling cooler feel genuinely special — the kind of drink you'd pay too much for at a fancy café. Simmering the berries with maple syrup draws out their natural sweetness, and steeping fresh basil leaves in the warm liquid adds a herbal, almost floral depth that store-bought mixers simply can't replicate. A squeeze of lemon juice brightens everything up before the syrup meets chilled sparkling water over ice. Every single ingredient here is completely plant-based, so there's no need to scrutinize labels or swap anything out — it's effortlessly suitable for anyone avoiding animal products. The result is a gorgeous blush-pink drink that looks stunning garnished with a halved berry and a sprig of basil. It's refreshing enough for a hot afternoon and elegant enough to serve at a dinner party without a second thought.
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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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