Best 5 Watermelon Basil Lemonade Recipes

WATERMELON LEMONADE

Steps:

• Place the watermelon into a blender. Cover, and puree until smooth. Strain through a fine mesh sieve.
• Bring sugar and 1/2 cup water to a boil in a saucepan over medium-high heat until sugar dissolves, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat. Stir in 3 cups of cold water and the lemon juice. Divide the ice into 12 glasses, and scoop 2 to 3 tablespoons of watermelon puree over the ice, then top with the lemonade. Gently stir before serving.

WATERMELON BASIL LEMONADE

Steps:

• Combine in a stainless steel pot the water and sugar. Zest 4 of the lemons into the water and bring to a boil. Reduce to a simmer for 5 minutes. Turn off heat and strain the lemon zest out. Add to the ice to chill.
• While water is coming to a boil, squeeze the juice from all 8 lemons in a blender. Add in basil and watermelon. Puree until smooth.
• Once the lemon syrup is cold, combine with the basil-watermelon puree. Stir well and let sit in the cooler for 1 hour before drinking to allow time for the flavors to meld.

WATERMELON LEMONADE SLUSHIE

Steps:

• Place the watermelon in a single layer on a rimmed baking sheet, and freeze until completely frozen, like ice cubes, about 2 hours.
• Meanwhile, cook the sugar and 1/2 cup water in a small saucepan over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the sugar is completely melted, about 5 minutes. Turn off the heat, add the chopped basil and stir until completely wilted. Cool completely at room temperature, at least 1 hour.
• When the watermelon is completely frozen, put half in a blender. Strain the basil syrup into the blender, use the back of a wooden spoon or spatula to press down on the basil to extract as much flavor as possible, and discard the basil. Add the lemon juice, and blend until the mixture is mostly smooth, pushing it down with a wooden spoon or spatula if needed. Add the remaining watermelon, and continue to blend until the mixture is completely smooth.
• Spoon the mixture into 4 short glasses (or wineglasses, if you want to be fancy), and garnish each with a basil leaf.

BASIL-INFUSED WATERMELON LEMONADE

Steps:

• 1. Combine 1 cup of water and sugar in a small saucepan; bring to a boil. Reduce heat, and simmer for 5 minutes or until sugar dissolves. Remove from heat and stir in the basil. Let chill for 1 hour. Strain sugar mixture through a sieve over a bowl, and discard basil.
• 2. Place watermelon in a blender; process until smooth.
• 3. Pour watermelon puree through a fine sieve into a large bowl, reserving liquid; discard solids. Combine watermelon liquid, sugar mixture, and juice in a pitcher; chill.
• 4. Garnish with fresh lemon slices and basil sprigs and serve! VARIATION: Add about 8 ice cubes to the watermelon before blending. Do not strain when done. The result is more like a frozen lemonade or virgin margarita.

WATERMELON BASIL SALAD

Steps:

• Stack basil leaves on top of each other and roll tightly into a log. Slice lengthwise into thin ribbons.
• Combine basil slices and watermelon in a large bowl. Drizzle lemon juice over watermelon.
• Mix salt and chili powder together in a small bowl; sprinkle over watermelon and toss to combine. Chill salad before serving, at least 30 minutes.