Strawberry-Basil Lemonade

Total Time: 15 mins Preparation Time: 15 mins

Ingredients

• 3 cups granulated sugar
• 1 1/2 cups water
• 1 1/2 lbs strawberries, washed, hulled, and sliced 1/2-inch thick
• 1 cup basil leaves, tightly packed
• 6 cups water, cold
• 3 cups lemon juice, chilled
• ice
• 1/2 lb strawberry, washed, hulled, and sliced 1/2-inch thick, for garnish
• 1/4 cup basil leaves, tightly packed, blemish-free, for garnish

Recipe

• 1 For the strawberry-basil syrup:.
• 2 Place sugar and water in a medium saucepan over high heat and stir until sugar dissolves and mixture comes to a boil. Add strawberries, reduce heat to medium low, and simmer until strawberries have softened, about 10 minutes.
• 3 Remove from heat, add basil leaves, and stir to incorporate. Cool to room temperature, about 45 minutes. Strain through a fine-mesh strainer set over a medium bowl; discard solids. Cover syrup and refrigerate until ready to use.
• 4 For the lemonade:.
• 5 Pour water, lemon juice, and reserved strawberry-basil syrup into a 3-quart pitcher or punch bowl and stir to combine. Add ice and garnish with sliced strawberries and basil leaves. Taste, and adjust water/ice if too strong or sweet for you.