Strawberry Basil Mocktail (Printable)

Sweet strawberries, fragrant basil and sparkling water combined into a bright, refreshing summer beverage in minutes.

# What You Need:

→ Fruit & Herbs

01 - 1 cup fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced
02 - 8 fresh basil leaves
03 - 2 lemon wedges (optional), for garnish

→ Sweetener

04 - 1 to 2 tablespoons simple syrup or agave nectar, to taste

→ Liquids

05 - 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
06 - 1 1/2 cups chilled sparkling water
07 - Ice cubes, as needed

# Directions:

01 - Place the sliced strawberries and basil leaves in a sturdy glass or cocktail shaker. Muddle until the berries release their juices and the basil becomes fragrant.
02 - Add 1 to 2 tablespoons simple syrup or agave and the fresh lemon juice to the muddled mixture. Stir or shake briefly to combine evenly.
03 - Fill two serving glasses with ice cubes to chill.
04 - Spoon or strain the strawberry–basil mixture evenly between the two glasses over the ice.
05 - Top each glass with chilled sparkling water (approximately 3/4 cup per glass). Stir gently to integrate the flavors without dissipating the bubbles.
06 - Garnish with lemon wedges and additional basil leaves if desired. Serve immediately.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Adding basil makes everyone think you went to culinary school, but it takes just seconds.
  • The color is so vibrant it immediately brightens any table, and it's incredibly easy to customize for any palate.
02 -
  • If you muddle the basil too aggressively, it can turn bitter—gentle pressure is enough.
  • Letting the strawberry-basil mix sit for even two minutes before assembling releases more flavor—totally worth the patience.
03 -
  • Avoid over-sweetening up front; you can always add more syrup, but you can't take it out.
  • Always pour sparkling water slowly along the side of the glass to preserve maximum fizz.
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