With spring just around the corner, I thought it would be the perfect time to start working on some refreshing drink recipes. The first one in this series is this strawberry mocktail with fresh lemon juice and basil.
The lemon juice adds the perfect balance of tartness and the strawberries along with the strawberry infused syrup add the right amount of sweetness. This is the kind of drink you want to enjoy on your front porch with a loved one and daydream about your plans for the summer.
Ingredients
Below, you will find the list of ingredients that you'll want to gather ahead of time. I chose them for this strawberry mocktail because I've made a compote in the past using strawberries, lemon and basil and the flavors just married so well together. I knew they'd be perfect for this drink!
- Strawberries
- Lemon
- Basil
- Tonic water
- Strawberry infused syrup
- Granulated sugar
See recipe card for quantities.
Instructions
Below, you will find some process shots along with step by step instructions.
Add some of your strawberry infused syrup to a small, shallow plate. Add granulated sugar to another small, shallow plate. Dip rim of your glass into syrup then dip into plate of granulated sugar. Repeat process for the second glass.
In a tall mixing glass, add in sliced strawberries, juice from one lemon, a few basil leaves, and 2 oz of strawberry syrup. Muddle everything together.
Pour contents into a cocktail shaker with ice.
Shake and pour over glass with ice. Top off each glass with tonic water. Add basil and sliced strawberries for garnish. Enjoy!
If you enjoy mocktails, be sure to check out our Moscow Mule Mocktail!
Substitutions
Below are a few ideas for substitutions to consider in case you don't have a few of the ingredients or would like to swap any of them out.
- Strawberry infused syrup - instead of strawberry infused syrup, you can use simple syrup.
- Basil - you can use mint leaves instead of basil leaves or omit them all together if you prefer. Strawberry and lemon is still a great combo on it's own!
- Lemons - instead of lemons, you could use limes.
Variations
I've included a few variations below to consider if you're wanting to spice up this recipe!
- Spicy - to add some heat to this recipe, you can add a tajin rim instead of a sugar rim. You could also add a few fresh, jalapeño slices to your drink.
- Alcohol - although this a mocktail recipe, it makes a great base for adding in your preferred alcohol. Vodka or gin would be a great addition to this strawberry mocktail.
Equipment
- Cocktail shaker
- Mixing glass
- Muddler
- Jigger
- Mixing spoon
These are all just recommendations of items to have on hand for making this drink. You can certainly get by with using items that you already have in your kitchen.
Storage
Store extra ingredients like the strawberries, lemon and basil in the refrigerator.
Top tip
If you don't have a muddler, you can always use a wooden spoon or mortar and pestle to muddle your ingredients.
FAQ
In California, peak season for strawberries are between the months of January and May.
Related
Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:
Food Safety
Be sure to wash all produce thoroughly before making your drinks.
Strawberry Mocktail with Lemon and Basil
Ingredients
- 1 cup strawberries, sliced
- 1 lemon
- 3 leaves basil
- 8 oz tonic water
- 2 oz strawberry infused syrup
- granulated sugar
Instructions
- Add some of your strawberry infused syrup to a small, shallow plate. Add granulated sugar to another small, shallow plate. Dip rim of your glass into syrup then dip into plate of granulated sugar. Repeat process for the second glass.
- In a tall mixing glass, add in sliced strawberries, juice from one lemon, a few basil leaves, and 2 oz of strawberry syrup. Muddle everything together. Pour contents into a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake and pour over glass with ice. Top off each glass with tonic water. Add basil and sliced strawberries for garnish. Enjoy!
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