charlys-room: Delicious Basil Watermelon Lemonade

There is nothing like cool sips on a hot day in summertime. And this drink right here....it tastes heavenly! It's the refreshing taste of lemonade with a sidekick of watermelon and basil...and it is so good that everyone in my family loves it and requests it often. And when you create some pretty fruit stir sticks to serve it with, it not only quenches thirst, but feels like a really special treat.

I have had a love affair with fresh basil for many years. The fragrant smell and taste works well with salads, sandwiches, pasta dishes, drinks and many other things. By adding basil to lemonade, it provides a depth of flavour that is perfect and refreshing.

And making this drink is easy....it just takes an extra 5 minutes more than making regular lemonade, but the result is awesome!

Basil Watermelon Lemonade

{Makes 1 pitcher}

Ingredients

-Favourite homemade lemonade recipe or can of lemonade concentrate, made according to directions

-2 cups of watermelon chunks

1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped finely

3-4 lemonade slices

-skewers for stir sticks

-fresh fruit for stir sticks

To make:

1. Pour lemonade into a large pitcher.

2. In blender, puree watermelon chucks with 1/2 cup water. Add to lemonade and stir.

3. Add lemon slices and chopped basil. Stir gently.

4. Refrigerate until serving time. Add ice to serve.

5. To make fruit stir sticks, cut fruit into small pieces. If you have miniature cookie cutters, cut some watermelon shapes to add to the top of the sticks. You can use: berries, cherries, banana, watermelon, etc. and basil leaves.
6. Add a fruit stir stick to each drink when serving.