Strawberry Basil Lemonade

Strawberry season comes and goes so quickly every year, yet I still have trouble believing we are at the tail end of the 2013 season already. We don’t expect to have homegrown berries much longer in the

country store

, so come and get them while you can. (Please call to verify supply at 618-233-0513.)

In celebration of a bountiful strawberry harvest, I decided to try an adult version of strawberry lemonade, and it was delicious. I used vodka, but you can easily skip it for a more family friendly version of this recipe. The basil in this recipe is not overpowering at all. It simply enhances the fruity flavor. Fresh strawberries and lemons give this drink a tangy deliciousness. And, if that were not enough, the color says it all. You’ll just have to try it!

Eat Well this Spring, Angie

 Strawberry Basil Lemonade

2 cups strawberries, hulled and diced, plus extra for garnish (optional)

1 cup, plus 2 Tbs sugar

1 rind from a lemon, carefully remove the yellow from the white pith

1/4 cup fresh, tightly packed basil leaves

1-½ cups fresh lemon juice (about 6 lemons)

2 cups water

2 cups ice

In a medium bowl, combine strawberries and 2 Tbs sugar. Set aside.

In a small pot, combine 1 cup water, remaining cup of sugar, lemon rind and basil over medium heat. Stir until sugar dissolves, about 5 minutes. Cover, remove from heat and steep 10 minutes. Strain through a mesh strainer or cheesecloth and allow to cool. Pour into a pitcher.

Add to pitcher, strawberries, lemon juice, 2 cups cold water and 2 cups ice. Serve in glasses over ice, garnished with a strawberry.

Tip:

For an adult version of this drink, substitute 1 cup of water with 1 cup of vodka.