Man, I’m wicked thirsty.
The heat in Arizona this summer has been brutal. You could literally bake cookies on the dashboard of your car. It would take, like, two hours. But it could be done.
Seriously. It’s no wonder I’m on an ’embellished ice cube’ kick lately. There are so many possible combinations of fruit and/or veggies and herbs to jazz up your beverages, it’s re-donk-adonk. (I’ve always wanted to type that.)
This particular combination is one of my absolute favorites. Not only are the lemonade ice cubes (laced with diced fresh strawberries and basil) perfect in a plain old glass of chilled club soda, but add a tiny nip of vodka to the mix and you’ve got yourself one refreshing summer libation.
Yup, let’s do this.
Sparkling Strawberry Basil Lemonade
(makes 4 servings)
1/3 cup granulated sugar
3 cups water
1/3 cup fresh lemon juice
3/4 cup strawberries (hulled and diced)
3 tbsp fresh basil (chopped)
Club Soda
(Vodka, if you so choose)
To make the lemonade, combine the sugar and 1 cup of the water in a heavy saucepan over medium-high heat. Bring to a boil and stir until the sugar dissolves. Transfer to a ceramic or glass dish and let cool to room temperature, then refrigerate to cool completely. Combine the chilled sugar water, lemon juice and remaining 2 cups of water in a pitcher or glass measuring cup with a pour spout, and stir to combine.
Pour the lemonade into ice cube trays (carefully) then add a few diced strawberries and a sprinkling of chopped basil to each ice cube cavity.
Freeze overnight, or until solid.
To make your new go-to summer evening refresher that will never taste watered down, pour club soda into your favorite glass and add 4 – 5 strawberry basil lemonade ice cubes. Swirl a little to melt some of the flavor into the club soda.
Sip. Relax. Enjoy.
OMFG. SO GOOD.
omfg. so good. 