Watermelon Basil Lemonade Recipe

Beat the heat with this refreshing Watermelon Basil Lemonade! This vibrant, summery drink is incredibly easy to make and tastes unbelievably delicious. Perfect on its own or elevate it to a sophisticated Watermelon Basil Margarita by simply adding tequila and lime juice. Get ready for a flavor explosion that's perfect for barbecues, parties, or a relaxing evening at home. Recipe courtesy of Tillman's Roadhouse.

Prep Time 25 mins
Cook Time 65 mins
Calories 468 kcal
Protein 4g
Rating Be the first
Watermelon Basil Lemonade 78

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Forktionary editorial kitchen team

The Forktionary Kitchen Team

Adapted from Food.com, then tested & standardized by Forktionary.

Ingredients for Watermelon Basil Lemonade

  • 4 cups cubed seedless watermelon
  • 1 cup packed fresh basil leaves
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 12 lemons (4 for zesting, 8 for juicing)
  • 2 cups cold water
  • ice (for chilling and serving)
  • 2 oz good silver tequila (optional, per serving for margarita)
  • juice of 1 lime (optional, per serving for margarita)

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How to Make Watermelon Basil Lemonade

  1. Combine 2 cups of water and 1 cup of sugar in a stainless steel saucepan.
  2. Zest the outer rind of 4 lemons directly into the water. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat.
  3. Reduce heat to low and simmer for 5 minutes, allowing the lemon zest to infuse the syrup.
  4. Remove from heat and strain the lemon zest, reserving the simple syrup.
  5. Pour the simple syrup into a bowl and add ice to chill while you prepare the watermelon puree.
  6. While the syrup chills, juice all 8 lemons (approximately 1 cup of lemon juice).
  7. Add the lemon juice, 4 cups cubed watermelon, and 1 cup packed fresh basil leaves to a blender.
  8. Blend until completely smooth and creamy.
  9. Once the lemon syrup is thoroughly chilled, combine it with the watermelon-basil puree in a large pitcher.
  10. Stir gently to combine. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour (or longer for enhanced flavor) before serving. For a Watermelon Basil Margarita, add 2 oz of good silver tequila and the juice of 1 lime per serving.

Nutrition Information (Approximate per serving)

Sodium

1 g

Sugar

449g

Fat

0g

Carbs

40g

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Sweets & Sides Drinks & Cocktails The Americas American Southern Vegetarian Gluten Free Summer Recipes

Recipe Tags (Choose a tag and find related recipes!)

Time To Make Course Main Ingredient Preparation Low Protein Healthy Beverages Fruit Easy Low Fat Dietary Low Sodium Low Cholesterol Low Saturated Fat Low Calorie Low Carb Low In Something Citrus Lemon Melons 3 Steps Or Less 4 Hours Or Less Non Alcoholic

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to make Watermelon Basil Lemonade?

Watermelon Basil Lemonade takes about 90 minutes from start to finish — roughly 25 minutes to prepare and 65 minutes to cook.

How many calories are in Watermelon Basil Lemonade?

Watermelon Basil Lemonade has approximately 468 calories per serving, with about 4 g protein, 40 g carbohydrates and 0 g fat.

What ingredients do I need for Watermelon Basil Lemonade?

The key ingredients for Watermelon Basil Lemonade are Seedless Watermelon, Basil Leaves, Granulated Sugar, Lemons, Cold Water, Ice. See the full list with measurements above.

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