Strawberry Basil Lemonade Pitcher

# What You Need:

01 - 2 cups fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced

02 - 1 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice, approximately 4 to 5 lemons

03 - 1/3 cup honey or agave syrup, adjusted to taste

04 - 1/2 cup fresh basil leaves, plus extra for garnish

05 - 4 cups cold water

06 - 1 cup club soda or sparkling water, optional for effervescence

07 - Ice cubes as needed

01 - Combine strawberries, basil leaves, lemon juice, and honey or agave in blender and process until smooth.

02 - Pour mixture through fine-mesh sieve into large pitcher to remove pulp and seeds.

03 - Pour cold water into pitcher and stir thoroughly to combine.

04 - Taste mixture and adjust sweetness or acidity by adding additional honey, agave, or lemon juice as desired.

05 - Add ice cubes and club soda or sparkling water immediately before serving for carbonation.

06 - Pour into serving glasses and garnish each with fresh basil leaves and sliced strawberries.

01 -

It tastes like summer in a glass without any complicated techniques or special equipment beyond what you probably already own.
The basil gives it an herbal sophistication that makes people ask for the recipe before they've even finished the first sip.
You can prep the base the night before and finish it in seconds when guests arrive, which feels like having a secret advantage.

02 -

If you add the sparkling water too early, it goes completely flat and tastes like regular lemonade, which defeats the whole point.
Frozen strawberries work just as well and actually keep the drink colder without diluting it as the ice melts.

03 -

Rolling your lemons firmly on the counter before cutting them in half makes them yield nearly twice as much juice with half the effort.
If you don't have a fine-mesh sieve, cheesecloth or even a clean kitchen towel draped over a bowl works in a pinch, though it takes longer.