Strawberry Basil Lemonade

 

Interesting twist on a summer classic. 

Ingredients:

• 2 cups Sugar
• 1 1/4 cups water
• 6 cups sliced strawberries
• 1 cup tightly packed basil leaves (fresh)
• 2 cups lemon juice
• 10 cups water

Instructions:

1. Make a strawberry basil simple syrup by heating sugar and water over stove top until the sugar is dissolved.
2.  Turn heat down to a simmer and stir in strawberries. 
3. Simmer for about 10 min.
4. Remove from heat and stir in basil. Let steep until room temp. 
5. Strain. Smoosh with spoon to make sure you have all the flavors and liquid. Discard solids.
6. Put into large container like a gallon jug.  (my container proved to be to small)
7. Add lemon juice to the strawberry basil simple syrup.
8. Add water.  (I ran out of room and only got in 6 1/2 cups water.  It was potent, but good.  I guess it depends on your taste. Also it is good to have it more potent if you are going to mix in any alcohol.

*Note: I've tried it non-alcoholic, I've added white rum once and vodka another time.  Both were good.

*Note: My husband thought it had to strong of a basil taste, you could use less basil.  I liked the basil taste because that's what makes it unique. 

*If anyone uses the strawberry basil simple syrup to make anything other than lemonade, let me know how it goes! 

Simple syrup cooling:

Simple syrup after being pressed through a strainer: