Fresh strawberries and basil are everywhere in the early summer— put them together in a cooler and its pure sunshine! Garnish with basil leaves and sip it in the shade.
—Carolyn Turner, Reno, NV
Takes: 10 min. Makes: 12 servings
2/3 cup lemon juice
1/2 cup sugar
1 cup sliced fresh strawberries
Ice cubes
1 to 2 Tbsp. chopped fresh basil
1 bottle (1 liter) club soda, chilled
1. Place the lemon juice, sugar, strawberries and 1 cup of ice cubes in a blender; cover and process until blended. Add basil; pulse 1 or 2 times to combine.
2. Divide the strawberry mixture between 12 cocktail glasses. Fill with ice; top with club soda.
1 serving: 40 cal., 0 fat (0 sat. fat), 0 chol., 18mg sod., 10g carb. (9g sugars, 0 fiber), 0 pro. Diabetic exchanges: 1/2 starch.
TEST KITCHEN TIP
In ice cube tray squares, place strawberries or fresh basil leaves, or petals from flowers such as pansies or roses that have not been treated with chemicals. Cover with water and freeze. Ta-da! Beautiful ice.