Summer drinks need a fresh twist, and this Strawberry Basil Lemonade Cocktail brings together sweet fruit and garden herbs in perfect harmony.
This easy recipe mixes fresh strawberries, fragrant basil leaves, tart lemon juice, and your choice of vodka or gin for a refreshing drink. It serves 4-6 people in under 15 minutes.
The bright red color makes it perfect for backyard parties, and guests can help muddle the ingredients. The drink works well for both afternoon gatherings and evening celebrations during warm weather.
You can make this cocktail ahead of time and store it in the fridge for up to 24 hours. For a non-alcoholic version, replace the spirits with sparkling water or lemon-lime soda.
Strawberry Basil Lemonade Cocktail Recipe
Equipment
- Cocktail shaker
- Muddler or wooden spoon
- Fine-mesh strainer
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Ice
- Tall glasses
- Sharp knife
- Cutting Board
Ingredients
- 6 fresh strawberries plus extra for garnish
- 4-5 fresh basil leaves plus extra for garnish
- 2 oz vodka
- 4 oz fresh lemonade
- 1 oz simple syrup
- Ice cubes
- Club soda optional
Instructions
- Wash and hull the strawberries. Cut them into quarters.
- Place the cut strawberries and basil leaves in the cocktail shaker. Muddle them gently to release their flavors.
- Add vodka, lemonade, and simple syrup to the shaker.
- Fill the shaker with ice and shake for 15-20 seconds until well chilled.
- Strain the mixture into a tall glass filled with fresh ice.
- Top with a splash of club soda if desired.
- Garnish with a fresh strawberry and basil leaf.
Notes
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Tasting Notes
This refreshing cocktail begins with sweet, ripe strawberry notes that blend smoothly with bright citrus. The basil adds an unexpected herbal twist that keeps the drink from being too sweet.
The texture is light and crisp, with tiny bubbles from the sparkling water creating a pleasant tingle on the tongue. Fresh strawberry pieces give each sip an extra burst of natural sweetness.
Main Flavor Notes:
- Sweet: Fresh strawberries, simple syrup
- Sour: Fresh lemon juice
- Herbal: Fresh basil leaves
- Spirit: Vodka adds clean, neutral base
The drink’s pink-red color looks beautiful in a tall glass. Ice helps maintain the perfect temperature while diluting the stronger flavors into a balanced whole.
The aroma combines fresh strawberries and torn basil leaves. Each sip starts sweet, moves to tart, and ends with a gentle herbal note that lingers briefly.
For the best taste experience, serve this cocktail very cold. The flavors shine brightest when the drink stays between 35-40°F (2-4°C).
Substitute
You can swap ingredients in this cocktail to match what you have or make it non-alcoholic.
Instead of vodka:
- Gin for a botanical taste
- White rum for tropical notes
- Skip alcohol completely for mocktails
Instead of fresh strawberries:
- Frozen strawberries (thawed)
- Strawberry puree
- Raspberry or blackberry
Instead of fresh basil:
- Mint leaves
- Thai basil
- Tarragon
The simple syrup can be replaced with:
- Honey
- Agave nectar
- Sugar-free sweetener
Fresh lemon juice works best, but bottled lemon juice can work too. Just reduce the amount by 25% since bottled juice tends to be stronger.
Try sparkling water instead of regular water for extra fizz.
For a sweeter drink, add a splash of sprite or lemon-lime soda.
