Gently clap the basil leaves between your hands before adding them to the blender. It helps release their natural oils and makes the flavor even brighter!
Mabel’s Tip
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Sweet strawberries, fresh basil, tangy lemon and a touch of honey come together to create a refreshing drink that tastes like summer in the South. It’s bright, flavorful, and just a little bit special — perfect for porch sittin’, backyard barbecues, or any day that could use a little sunshine in a glass.
INGREDIENTS
- 1 cup fresh strawberries (hulled and sliced)
- 1/2 cup fresh basil leaves (plus extra for garnish)
- 1 cup fresh lemon juice (about 4-6 lemons)
- 1/2 cup honey (or to taste)
- 4 cups cold water
- Ice
- Lemon slices, strawberry slices, and fresh basil (for garnish)
DIRECTIONS
- In a blender, combine strawberries, basil leaves, and 1 cup of water. Blend until smooth.
- Strain the mixture through a fine mesh sieve to remove seeds and basil bits (optional, but gives a smoother lemonade).
- In a large pitcher, combine the strawberry basil mixture, lemon juice, honey, and the remaining 3 cups of cold water. Stir well until the honey is fully dissolved.
- Chill for at least 30 minutes to let the flavors blend.
- Serve over ice and garnish with fresh strawberry slices, lemon slices, and a sprig of basil.