Make summer refreshing with our berry smash basil lemonade. This non-alcoholic summer drink is just what you need to stay cool. Made with homemade lemonade and a berry mixture, grab the recipe down below and give it a try.
Berry Smash Basil Lemonade
Summer is here, and that means lots of homemade lemonade, but this year I am doing my lemonade a bit differently. I’m taking my homemade lemonade game to the next level by adding fresh sweet basil from the family garden, and making a berry smash stir-in that’ll turn your lemonade into all kinds of refreshingly awesome. Basically, this ain’t your dear old grandmother’s lemonade, and I ain’t even sorry nan bit! This summer has taught me a lot of things, and one is you gotta create to heal, foster self-love, and to cope. Being curious can often be extremely therapeutic.
When you consciously approach life and living as a kind of scavenger hunt, in that we’re actively searching for those things which will empower us, teach us, and distract from the negative, then we allow opportunities of both incremental and tremendous growth. I think this is why so many folks were so into making bread and other crafty things early in the pandemic. People weren’t necessarily prepping for a doomsday scenario, most were just trying to find something to occupy their time and deal with the personal apple cart getting turned upside down in their lives.
When you break it down, some of the most impactful and easy summer refreshments are mental as well as poured into a frosty glass. Some of the best recipes are created both to physically nourish and help your heart, mind, and soul relax.
What You Will Need To Make Our Berry Smash Basil Lemonade:
Sugar. Choose your sugar, I used granulated white, but I have also used raw sugar as well.
Lemons. You can’t make lemonade without lemons. If you can find them grab Meyer lemons, or pink lemons are awesome too. Or just use regular supermarket lemons.
Water. I prefer using filtered water, but I’ve also been known to use water from the faucet too, both are fine. But if the water in your area isn’t that great use filtered or one my favorites, alkaline water.
Basil. One of the perks of cultivating a family garden is growing lots of fresh herbs. This season, I am growing three varieties: Thai basil, Opal basil, and my favorite Sweet basil. For this recipe, I used one cup of both sweet basil and opal basil.
Berry Smash Basil Lemonade
Ingredients:
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 2 1/4 cup of fresh-squeezed lemon juice
- peels of one lemon, use a potato peeler to get wide lemon peels
- 4 cups of filtered water divided
- 1 cup of fresh sweet basil leaves divided
Directions:
- Place a saucepan over medium-high heat and add one cup of water, sugar, lemon juice, and lemon peels.
- Bring the mixture to a boil and keep string until the sugar dissolves and the water becomes clear.
- Remove the saucepan from the heat, add 1/4 of the basil leaves, place on a tight-fitting lid, and allow the mixture to steep for 25-30 minutes.
- Pour the mixture into a small picture and add 3 cups of water and the remaining basil and stir.
- Place the pitcher in the fridge to chill.
A few tips on making homemade lemonade:
How many lemons make a cup of lemon juice? It will depend on how big the lemons are; typically, it takes 6 to 8 large lemons to make a single cup of lemon juice.
How can you squeeze lemons? If you don’t have a citrus reamer or a citrus press, cut the lemons lengthwise and grab a fork. Hold the lemon in one hand and, with the other hand, insert the fork into the center of the lemon half and rotate the lemon clockwise while rotating the fork counterclockwise, the juice will collect in the bowl.
How long does lemonade keep in the fridge? Homemade lemonade will last 5 to 7 days in the refrigerator.
Now, just for fun and giggles, let’s make the Berry Smash Stir-In…
Berry Smash Stir-In
Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup strawberries, with the green stems, removed and quartered
- 1/2 6 blueberries
- 1 cup of water
Directions:
- Place a saucepan over medium-high heat, and add water, sugar, strawberries, and blueberries.
- Cook until the mixture begins to boil, then use a fork or potato masher to break apart the fruit and release the juices.
- Remove the saucepan from the heat and place a tight-fitting lid on top and allow the mixture to steep for 10 minutes.
To Serve:
- Place a spoonful of the strawberry and blueberry stir-in into the bottom of a highball serving glass.
- Fill the glass with ice, then pour the lemonade on top.
- Garnish with a wedge of fresh lemon and a sprig of opal or sweet basil.
- Serve.
Okay, you have the recipe for one of the best tasting lemonade concoctions on this side of sweet and sour goodness. Just a little reminder, it’s easy to make. It is delicious, and it also looks like a 100% refreshing dream! Cheers!
Find more refreshing drinks to try:
Watermelon Pink Lemonade Vodka Cocktail
34 Refreshing + Summery Mason Jar Drinks To Beat The Heat
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 2 1/4 cup of fresh-squeezed lemon juice
- peels of one lemon use a potato peeler to get wide lemon peels
- 4 cups of filtered water divided
- 1 cup of fresh sweet basil leaves divided
Instructions
- Place a saucepan over medium-high heat and add one cup of water, sugar, lemon juice, and lemon peels.
- Bring the mixture to a boil and keep string until the sugar dissolves and the water becomes clear.
- Remove the saucepan from the heat, add 1/4 of the basil leaves, place on a tight-fitting lid, and allow the mixture to steep for 25-30 minutes.
- Pour the mixture into a small picture and add 3 cups of water and the remaining basil and stir.
- Place the pitcher in the fridge to chill.
Notes
Berry Smash Stir-In
Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup strawberries, with the green stems, removed and quartered
- 1/2 6 blueberries
- 1 cup of water
Directions:
- Place a saucepan over medium-high heat, and add water, sugar, strawberries, and blueberries.
- Cook until the mixture begins to boil, then use a fork or potato masher to break apart the fruit and release the juices.
- Remove the saucepan from the heat and place a tight-fitting lid on top and allow the mixture to steep for 10 minutes.
To Serve:
- Place a spoonful of the strawberry and blueberry stir-in into the bottom of a highball serving glass.
- Fill the glass with ice, then pour the lemonade on top.
- Garnish with a wedge of fresh lemon and a sprig of opal or sweet basil.
- Serve.
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