Melissa Paris Fitness

Jun 15, 2013

Sip On Something Sweet This Summer

by Melissa Paris

Ah, summer feels so great. Fire up the grill, relax in the sun with a cool and refreshing strawberry basil lemonade! I've always loved the sweet fruity taste of strawberry lemonade, but I decided to add that extra kick that it needed. Fresh basil has a sweet peppery taste to it, adding that to the mixture creates the perfect summer drink. Not only does basil add flavor, it is also packed with nutrients and health benefits. It's an excellent source of vitamin K and is known to have strong antioxidant properties that helps prevent premature aging, common skin issues and age-related problems. It also helps stop the growth of bacteria so your body can stay happy and healthy. I used agave as a replacement for sugar because its a natural sweetener that has the sweetness without the sugar rush!

Ingredients
2 cups of freshly squeezed lemon juice (about 16-20 lemons)
1 pound of strawberries washed cut and hulled (or 3 and 3/4 cups)
3/4 cup of fresh basil leaves
2/3 cup of agave
8 cups of cold water
Ice

instructions
Juice the lemons and add the juice, agave and water into a 3 quart pitcher. Stir the contents until the agave dissolves. Add the strawberries and basil and pour the mixture into a blender. Blend the mixture for about 20-25 seconds until it turns pink and the basil is finely chopped.

Enjoy

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