Strawberry Lemonade Recipe (Restaurant Style)
There is nothing like fresh Strawberry Lemonade. If you are craving something cold and refreshing, this is it! Adding strawberries and basil to Classic Lemonade takes it over the top.
Strawberry Basil Lemonade makes for a great party drink. If you have a bunch of lemons or are a lemonade purist, start with homemade lemonade. For a larger crowd, there’s no shame in pulling a can of store-bought lemonade out of the freezer. I’ve included instructions for both.
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Strawberry Lemonade:
My favorite drink to order in restaurants is strawberry lemonade, but homemade is even better; free refills and you know exactly what goes into it! Making your own lemonade is easier than you think. If you already have lemonade on hand, making this restaurant quality drink is a breeze!
- 1 recipe for homemade lemonade* (10 cups)
- Fresh Strawberries
- Small handful of basil, optional
- Lemon Slices for garnish
- Ice as needed
*If using 1 (12 oz) can frozen Lemonade, prepare according to package instructions on the can: 1 can of concentrate mixed with 4 1/3 cans of water.
How to Make Strawberry Basil Lemonade:
- Pour lemonade into a pitcher. Hull and halve strawberries.
- Place 12oz strawberries and basil into a good blender or food processor and blend until smooth.
- Stir strawberry basil mixture into lemonade. Garnish with remaining strawberries and lemon slices.
For ice cold lemonade, serve over glasses filed with ice and garnish with lemon slices.
Tips for the Best Strawberry Lemonade:
We’ve all been there, you’re desperately thirsty and want to gulp down that strawberry lemonade but there’s a strawberry lodged in the straw. If you are going to be drinking through a straw, or using a drink dispenser that tends to clog up, you will want to:
- Blend your strawberries really well
- Add ice to the glasses (not the pitcher) so you don’t dilute your lemonade
Can I use Frozen Strawberries?
You can still enjoy strawberry lemonade in winter by substituting with frozen strawberries. Frozen strawberries in sugar will also work but keep in mind the syrup is very sweet so you may need to add more water to your finished lemonade.
You can also experiment with different berries like blackberries, raspberries or even make Cherry Lemonade!
More Refreshing Drink Recipes:
Try these thirst quenching awesome Summer drinks. We’re particularly smitten with the fizzy bubbly drinks, which are always crowd pleasers!
- Cranberry Pineapple Punch – a favorite year-round
- Iced Coffee keeps well in the fridge for weeks
- Raspberry Sherbet Punch – this one disappears fast!
- Brazilian Lemonade – a limeade flavor sensation
- Flavored Water – healthy and great addition to any gathering
Strawberry Lemonade Recipe (Restaurant Style)
Fresh homemade Strawberry Lemonade will satisfy the craving for something cold and refreshing. Adding strawberries and basil to classic lemonade is brilliant!
Ingredients
- 10 cups lemonade (or 12 oz can frozen lemonade*)
- 1 lb strawberries divided
- 1 lemon sliced for garnish
- 1/4 cup fresh basil (a small handful, lightly packed) optional
- Ice as needed
Instructions
-
Pour lemonade into a pitcher. Wash 1 lb of strawberries. Remove stems and cut 12 oz strawberries in half. Slice remaining 4 oz strawberries for garnish.
-
Blend strawberries in a blender or food processor until smooth.
-
Stir strawberry mixture, remaining sliced strawberries and lemon slices into the lemonade and serve over glasses filled with ice.
Recipe Notes
*If using 1 (12 oz) can frozen Lemonade, prepare according to package instructions on the can: 1 can of concentrate mixed with 4 1/3 cans of water.
If you make this recipe, I’d love to see pics of your creations on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter! Hashtag them #natashaskitchen
This strawberry basil lemonade recipe was first published in 2012 and here is the original photo. We updated the photos and added instructions for using fresh or frozen lemonade.
Natasha Kravchuk
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Hi! I'm Natasha Kravchuk. Here you'll find delicious, trusted recipes with easy step-by-step photos and videos. 
clean strawberry’s 1st with a vinegar water bath & rinse well after about a 10-15 minute soak. I’ve read you can also do it with salt water or baking soda water. It gets the bugs & worms out of the strawberries.
Thank you so much for sharing that with me Bev!
Oh I love this lemonade! Instead of basil I added mint, and it was like Strawberry Mojito. Yum!!!!Love your easy recepies Natasha
I’m so glad you enjoyed that Maria!
Hello Natasha,
This is such a yummy drink.
I was wondering if I could make a mix berry lemonade. Also, can I use other fruits such as pinapple.
Hi Nina, I bet that could work! If you experiment, let me know how you liked the recipe!
Okay, WOW! BEST lemonade I’ve ever had!!! My husband and I made this and absolutely loved it! Definitely will be making it again!
That’s so great! It sounds like you have a new favorite, Christina!
The fam and relatives were quite surprised when they learned I made a beverage yesterday; I man the grills and smoker and never make refreshments. They were even more surprised that my first attempt was a taste to behold. Thank you for this recipe!
You’re very welcome Brian! I’m happy you enjoyed that!
Hi Natasha,
The drink looks delicious! In the recipe where you use the frozen lemonade, it lists basil for ingredients but does not mention what to do with it. Do I blend it with strawberry or just add fresh to the drink?
Hi Maya, you can do either. We usually blend it with the strawberries but you can add fresh leaves or tear them in half to release their flavor and aroma and garnish the top with leaves if you prefer. Both work great.
This is seriously the best lemonade I’ve ever had. Thanks for a great recipe!
That’s so great! I’m so happy you enjoyed that!
This is really a new one. I didn’t hear about this dish before anyhow i tried in my home its awesome to have. Thank you for sharing this.
You’re so welcome! I’m happy you enjoyed this Lemonade!
Refreshing and delicious!
So perfect for summer! Thank you for that awesome review Melissa!
Yes, please! I’ll be making this for our next bbq for sure!
We’re doing the same Krissy! I hope you love this recipe!
This is my son’s favorite drink to order at restaurants, love that we can make it at home!
Isn’t it the best! Thank you for that awesome review, Erin!
I can see us sipping on this all summer long! Such a great flavor combination.
Thank you Jen! It really is easy to get hooked on strawberry lemonade. I hope it becomes a new favorite for you!
I just love your photos. Combining strawberries with basil is not a combination that I have tried before. I’m definitely going to try your recipe to see how it tastes.
You’re so nice! Thanks Harriet! I hope you enjoy this recipe!
Can I made it a day before serving it? And just keep in fridge?
Hi Natalie, yes that would work fine but I would add the basil fresh before serving so it doesn’t overpower the flavor as it sits in the fridge.
Hi Natasha, I would love to make this lemonade for my son’s birthday, I have a 1.5 Gallon Beverage Dispenser, do I need to double this recipe to fill it up? Thank you!!
Hi Nina, yes you would want to double it. You may even have room to triple it unless you want to keep the space for fruit and ice cubes; in that case, I would double the recipe 🙂
Thank you I will double it !!:)
This looks s so yummy…pinning for later!
~Saprina
www.SaprinaSays.com
Looks so yummy! I’ll be making this for my sons bday party.
Where did u get that big jar with the lid that clips? Want one so bad!
It was from Marshall’s. I’m not sure where they regularly sell these items though.
Oooh I’m on my way to Winco right now to buy what I need for this lovely drink!
As fur as basil goes, where can I get it and what department?
Thanks mucho!!
I bought the growing basil for $3 that you keep in a cup with water on the counter. Lasts forever if you water it and keeps growing new leaves as you pinch off the old ones. It’s usually next to the lettuce. If you want just a package of basil, it’s near the mushrooms but it’s the same price and will wilt much faster. This lemonade is also good without basil if for whatever reason they don’t have it. Enjoy!
Thank you for your super helpful, super speedy reply!
🙂
You’re welcome 🙂
I love strawberry lemonade and I love basil. It’s only natural to combine the two. Thanks for sharing 🙂
I would love one now! Looks so refreshing!
Hi Natasha, this is so refreshing, perfect for summer days. Never tried with basil but definatly will. 🙂
Inessa; it works well without it, but the basil does add a little freshness to it.
Hi Natasha,
Yes, I was looking for meringue cookies and I would love to learn how to make bize as well. We love buying it in the russian store.
I’ve tried making them a couple times. My favorites are the ones from Trader Joe’s; big, thick and crunchy! I keep trying to make mine taste and look like that and haven’t been able to do it yet. I guess my standards are too high for this cookie 🙂 Double bummer: we don’t have a Trader Joes nearby. But, if I figure it out, I’ll definitely post it 🙂 As for zefir; have you checked out mom’s purse facebook page? I made those once with good results. It’ just makes a huge batch.
This looks SO refreshing! Can’t wait to try it…I bet the basil adds a wonderful fresh kick!
Yes it does add a little somethin’ somethin’!! 🙂
Hi Natasha,
This looks great. I am definitely going to make it for my son’s 2nd birthday party next weekend.
Also, do you have a recipe for zefir and bize?
Thanks
I’d blend the strawberries for kids so its more drinkable. I don’t have any zefir posted yet. What do you mean by bize? I have a couple cakes made with bize (crunchy meringue). Or are you looking for meringue cookies?
Perfect summer drink!!! Yumm
I hope you love it. I’m drinking a giant glass of it right now 🙂