Homemade Strawberry and Basil Lemonade – Summer in a Glass

You can make strawberry and basil lemonade yourself in just 15 minutes: fresh strawberries, a few basil leaves, a little lemon juice and cold water – and that's your summer in a glass. Home-grown strawberries are at their most flavourful in July, which is exactly when this lemonade really comes into its own.

The basil adds a delicate, almost floral herbal note, and a touch of freshly grated nutmeg rounds it all off with a little warmth. Refreshing, naturally sweet and made completely without ready-made syrup – this is what a hygge summer tastes like.

Ingredients

For 4 glasses (about 1 litre):

• 250 g fresh strawberries
• 1 small handful of fresh basil (about 10 leaves)
• 2–3 organic lemons (about 80 ml juice)
• 2–3 tbsp honey or maple syrup, to taste
• 700–800 ml cold water or sparkling mineral water
• Ice cubes
• 1 pinch of freshly grated nutmeg

Method

1. Wash the strawberries, remove the green tops and halve them. Set aside a few nice slices for garnish, then finely purée the rest, or mash with a fork.
2. Halve the lemons and squeeze them with the kjøk lemon squeezer – this gets out every drop of juice, with no pips in your glass.
3. Press the basil leaves briefly between your palms to release their aroma, then add them to a jug.
4. Add the strawberry purée, lemon juice and honey, and stir until the honey has dissolved.
5. Top up with cold water or mineral water. Add the ice cubes and the strawberry slices you set aside.
6. Finish with a fine pinch of nutmeg, freshly ground over the top with the nutmeg grinder – its warm note goes surprisingly well with strawberry and basil. Serve ice cold.

kjøk Tip

Freshly ground, nutmeg tastes worlds more intense than the ready-ground kind – a single nut in the spice grinder lasts for months. Just keep the nut dry inside the grinder and grind only as much as you need each time. Give the lemon squeezer a quick rinse right after you've used it, so the fruit acid doesn't dry on and it stays looking good for longer. You'll find more helpers for your summer kitchen in our kjøk kitchen accessories.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make the strawberry lemonade without sugar?

Yes. Ripe summer strawberries already bring plenty of natural sweetness. Simply leave out the honey, or blend a few stoned dates in with the strawberries for a completely natural sweetness.

How long does homemade lemonade keep?

Well covered, it stays fresh in the fridge for about 2 days, though it's nicest when freshly made. Add the mineral water shortly before serving, so it stays lovely and fizzy.

Can I use mint instead of basil?

Absolutely. Mint makes the lemonade even fresher, and using both together – a few leaves of basil and mint – gives a particularly lovely herbal note.