It’s strawberry season and not only do I have an abundance of strawberries stocked in my fridge but I still have leftover lemons from Kaycee Sogard’s house from my visit a few weeks ago! I also have leftover basil from making pesto earlier in the week so I found inspiration with ingredients already in my fridge and figured when life gives you lemons, make lemonade and add vodka if it’s the weekend!

Here’s what you’ll need

3-4 large lemons (enough to yield at least 1 3/4 cup juice), plus one lemon for garnish

1 1/2 cups fresh strawberries

1 3/4 cup water

1/2 cup water & 1/2 cup sugar, for simple syrup

8 large leaves of basil, plus extra for garnish

In a small pot bring 1/2 cup to a boil. Once boiling reduce to heat to low and add sugar. Stir until all sugar is dissolved and remove from heat. I like to put the simple syrup in a small pitcher or glass to cool quicker.

Juice lemons and strain to get rid of any seeds or pulp. In a blender, puree strawberries until nice and smooth. You can strain the strawberry puree if you’d like. I did so I had a cleaner lemonade. In a tall pitcher, mix lemon juice, strawberry puree, 1 3/4 cups water, and 1/2 cup cooled simple syrup.

Take a basil and slap in between your hands. This releases the oils from the basil. I put a few basil leaves in a each glass than poured the lemonade over it for those skeptical of the basil flavor.On this Sunday afternoon I also added Texas’ own Titos vodka to my lemonade to give it an adult kick! Serve over ice and garnish with a strawberry, lemon circle, and a basil leaf.

Mabuhay!