This strawberry basil lemonade is a refreshing summer drink.
I was in New Jersey this past weekend at my brother and sister in law’s house making a long weekend out of a Father’s Day BBQ they were hosting so I could get some much needed beach time in (the only redeeming quality that state has) and attempt to even out the sports bra tan line that basically looks like a tattoo on my back it’s become so permanent. So here’s the dilemma that went down:
free beach (good).
really sunny & hot out (good for tan line eradication).
no public bathrooms (bad).
I basically spent 3 hours on the beach in full sun during the middle of the day drinking only one 16oz. bottle of water because I was paranoid I’d end up having to pee and have nowhere to do so (the water wasn’t an option since I’m pretty sure I’d have emerged with hypothermia given it’s temperature).
We decided to go for a walk around 3pm, right at the end of the day and the combination of the direct sun, about 50oz. less water intake than I normally drink by that time and the effort of walking through non-compact sand for almost 2 miles had me literally fantasizing about drinks.
Slushies.
Ice water.
Smoothies.
Iced tea.
Coconut water.
Lemonade.
Anything wet and cold.
I was at the point of thirst that I was literally contemplating walking up to a random beach family with a cooler and begging. My mom and sister in law were talking and I was drumming up that conversation in my head: “Um, hi. I swear I’m not homeless or some freak but I’m pretty much dying of thirst right now. Do you have an extra bottle of water?”
Which got me thinking. You know the saying “dying of thirst”? Yeah, well that’s gotta be one of the most miserable ways to go. No?
Gun shot? Quick & barely enough time to realize what happens before you’re gone.
Drowning? A bit worse than a gun shot for sure, but still…a minute or two and it’s over.
Thirst? Holy eff. The thought of having to endure the feeling of longing for something liquid for days on end after just experiencing an hour or so of it, seems like the worst kind of torture I can imagine.
Ok, if you watch Game of Thrones, maybe Theon has it a bit worse. But just barely. In retrospect, I think I’d have rather peed in my bathing suit from drinking too much than deal with the thirst from not drinking enough.
Basically, I wouldn’t wish that feeling on my most hated enemy.
So make some lemonade, add some strawberries and basil and do the hydration right. Just keep a bathroom close by.
If strawberry basil lemonade isn’t your thing, perhaps this cucumber mint lemonade sounds more refreshing?
Strawberry Basil Lemonade
Ingredients
- 2 cups chopped strawberries
- 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves
- 1/3 cup lemon juice & pulp
- 1 tablespoon honey
- water or seltzer
Instructions
- Combine the strawberries, basil, lemon juice & pulp and honey in a blender and blend for about 30 seconds until a smooth puree forms.
- Pour about 1/4 cup of the puree into a glass with ice and top the glass off with 8oz. of water or seltzer. Stir and serve.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Gina Matsoukas is an AP syndicated writer. She is the founder, photographer and recipe developer of Running to the Kitchen — a food website focused on providing healthy, wholesome recipes using fresh and seasonal ingredients. Her work has been featured in numerous media outlets both digital and print, including MSN, Huffington post, Buzzfeed, Women’s Health and Food Network.
Basil and I usually do not get along in the garden. but this time, i have it growing out of my ears (not literally). This recipe and pasta will be the perfect way to use it up. Thank you. :D
One of my biggest fears is not having a public bathroom. So i totally get that. And this lemonade. I could get on board with it.
Oh my gosh no public bathroom! That is absolutely miserable. This drink looks great.
I just started reading and watching GoT, simultaneously – and oh holy crap – I have been missing out! Also, if I don’t have a water bottle within like five feet of me, I start freaking out. That would be. The. WORST way to go. Just hand me five of these though and we’re good.
Ha, the only redeeming thing about Jersey! That’s amazing.
I completely know what you mean about the bathrooms… I go to a beach down the road and even though it has a public bathroom, I do whatever I can to not use it that often. However, the hot sun requires hydration so obvi, I never end up staying longer than 3 hours. ;)
The drink sounds amazing!! I need more fresh juice in my life and this is definitely going to be on my list to try.
Wise words, my friend. For what it’s worth, if you came up to REB and me on the beach asking for a beverage, we’d give some to you and THEN talk about how weird and creepy the situation was after you’d already left. We’re nice like that ;) I keed. I keed. And screw Theon. He had it coming ;)
Oh man NO bathroom freaks me out anywhere. I need to know where a bathroom is at allllllllllllllll times!
This would be such a perfect summer drink!!
That is one of my biggest beach fears NO BATHROOM! I can’t handle that kind of situation. I want some of this amazing lemonade stat!
This looks so refreshing and delicious :) Thanks for sharing.