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Fresh Sparkling Strawberry Lemonade with Herbs

fresh sparkling strawberry lemonade with herbs - featured image
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A refreshing and easy homemade summer drink combining fresh strawberries, lemons, sparkling water, and herbs for a bright, bubbly beverage perfect for any occasion.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced
  • 4 large lemons (about 1 cup or 240 ml lemon juice), freshly squeezed
  • ½ cup granulated sugar (100 g), adjust to taste
  • 1 cup water (240 ml) for simple syrup
  • 4 cups sparkling water (960 ml), chilled
  • ½ cup packed fresh basil or mint leaves
  • Ice cubes for serving
  • Optional: splash of honey or agave syrup instead of sugar
  • Optional: thin lemon slices or extra strawberry slices for garnish

Instructions

  1. Rinse, hull, and slice the strawberries. Place them in a blender or food processor and pulse until smooth, about 30 seconds, avoiding over-blending.
  2. Strain the strawberry puree through a fine mesh sieve into a bowl or pitcher, pressing with the back of a spoon to remove seeds and pulp.
  3. In a small saucepan, combine water and granulated sugar. Heat over medium, stirring until sugar dissolves (3-5 minutes). Remove from heat and let cool slightly.
  4. Stir freshly squeezed lemon juice into the cooled syrup.
  5. Lightly bruise fresh basil or mint leaves to release oils. Add herbs to the strawberry puree and lemon syrup mixture. Let sit for 10 minutes, then remove herbs or leave a few sprigs for garnish.
  6. Slowly stir in chilled sparkling water. Taste and adjust sweetness if needed by adding more sugar syrup or honey.
  7. Fill glasses with ice cubes and pour the lemonade over. Garnish with lemon wheels, strawberry slices, and fresh herb sprigs.

Notes

Add sparkling water just before serving to keep the drink bubbly. Straining the strawberry puree is key for a smooth texture. Lightly bruise herbs to release flavor without bitterness. Adjust sweetness gradually. The strawberry puree can be made ahead and refrigerated for up to 24 hours. Store the lemonade base without sparkling water in the fridge for up to 2 days.

Nutrition

Keywords: strawberry lemonade, sparkling lemonade, summer drink, homemade lemonade, fresh herbs, basil lemonade, mint lemonade, non-alcoholic drink, refreshing beverage

Find it online: https://evabakery.com/fresh-sparkling-strawberry-lemonade-with-herbs-easy-homemade-summer-drink-recipe/