Strawberry-Basil Lemonade Spritz
A refreshing, lightly sparkling lemonade infused with fresh strawberries and basil leaves, perfect for a crowd-pleasing summer drink. This American-inspired recipe, ready in about 10 minutes, brings together fresh strawberries, fresh basil leaves, lemon juice for a refreshing, crowd-pleasing drink — a bright, easy pour for parties, gatherings, or any warm-weather afternoon when you want something festive without alcohol-only options. Each serving lands at about 90 calories and feeds 6, so it works for entertaining, brunch, or a non-alcoholic option at the bar cart. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 1 cup, hulled and quartered fresh strawberries
- 10 leaves plus extra for garnish fresh basil leaves
- 1 cup, freshly squeezed (about 5 lemons) lemon juice
- 3/4 cup (equal parts sugar and water heated until sugar dissolves) simple syrup
- 3 cups chilled sparkling water
- 2 cups ice cubes
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Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: In a blender, combine 1 cup hulled and quartered fresh strawberries with 10 fresh basil leaves and 1 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice. Blend on high for 30 seconds until smooth.
- Step 2: Pour the strawberry-basil lemon mixture through a fine mesh sieve into a large pitcher, pressing on the solids to extract as much juice as possible. Discard solids.
- Step 3: Stir in 3/4 cup simple syrup into the strained juice until fully incorporated.
- Step 4: Add 3 cups chilled sparkling water and 2 cups ice cubes to the pitcher, stirring gently to combine without losing bubbles.
- Step 5: Serve immediately in glasses garnished with extra basil leaves and sliced strawberries for a bright, herbaceous finish.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Strawberry-Basil Lemonade Spritz take to make?
Total time is about 10 minutes (10 min prep + 0 min cook). Most home bartenders find this fits a single afternoon; scale up the batch for parties or pitchers.
How do I store leftover Strawberry-Basil Lemonade Spritz?
Refrigerate any leftover strawberry-basil lemonade spritz in a sealed pitcher or jar for up to 3–4 days. Do not reheat — drinks are served chilled. If the recipe uses sparkling water or fresh herbs, hold those back and add fresh just before pouring so the drink stays bright and fizzy.
Can I substitute ingredients in Strawberry-Basil Lemonade Spritz?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Strawberry-Basil Lemonade Spritz for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Strawberry-Basil Lemonade Spritz?
American cocktails & drinks like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
