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I always whip up a Citrus Berry Smash when the weather turns warm. It’s so easy to throw together for brunch or summer hangouts. All you do is squish some blueberries into basil syrup, squeeze in lime, and top it off with sparkling grapefruit water. That blast of fresh flavor wakes up any gathering. Just as great for a chill family dinner as for a whole crowd of friends.
The first time I shared this at a spring cookout it vanished before the burgers hit the grill. Now, mixing up a big batch is my go-to move whenever there’s something to celebrate.
Dreamy Ingredients
- Lime wedges: Make things extra zingy and look great. Go for the weighty, juicy ones
- Fresh basil sprigs: A fresh sprig on top is both pretty and super fragrant. Fresh is key
- Ice: Keeps every sip icy cold and super bright. Use good, clean cubes
- Blueberries: Their bold color and sweet-tart taste make the drink pop. Fresh and plump is best
- Grapefruit flavored sparkling water: Makes everything sparkle and ties the citrus together. No sugar needed
- Lime juice: That tart burst brings the flavors to life. Only fresh-squeezed if you can
- Basil syrup: Seriously the trick here. Fresh homemade basil syrup evens out the fruit and packs big herbal punch. Look for perky, bright basil
Easy Directions
- Top Off and Garnish:
- Pour grapefruit fizzy water into your glass. It really lifts the aroma and wakes up all the flavors. Top it off with fresh basil and lime
- Strain Over Ice:
- Pour the mix through a strainer into chilled glasses of fresh ice. That way, you skip the berry skins and seeds in your drink
- Shake or Stir Like Crazy:
- Shut the shaker tight and shake hard for about 10–15 seconds to get it really cold and mixed. Making a big batch? Just give it a good stir in your pitcher
- Add Syrup Lime and Ice:
- Pour your basil syrup and fresh lime juice right in with the berries, plus about a cup of ice. Stir everything up to chill it
- Smash the Blueberries:
- Toss blueberries in a big pitcher or shaker. Smash them up until juicy and broken up, so you pull out all that flavor and deep color
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When blueberries show up at the market, we end up making this almost every week. My kid jumps in to pick basil and squash the berries. Sure there’s a splash of juice on the counter every time—adds to the whole experience!
Chill Storage Advice
Mix your blueberry, lime, and basil base the night before and stick it in the fridge. Hold off on adding the sparkling part so it stays bubbly and fresh. Basil syrup keeps for months in the fridge, so making a batch means you’re always ready for quick drinks.
Swap Outs
Switch up the berries—try blackberries, chopped strawberries, or raspberries. Lemon in place of lime gives it a bit more sweetness. Try some mint or even lemon verbena with the basil in your syrup for a brand-new taste. Any sparkling water you love will work, citrusy or just plain.
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How to Serve
Love to pour this in clear glasses to show off the colors. Pair it with fresh fruit or light snacks to keep the flavors crisp. Want to impress? Pop in frozen berries for ice or rim the glasses with sugar and a little lime zest.
Fun Background
No-booze drinks like these are catching on for parties where folks just want good drinks and fun without alcohol. In my family, we started crafting these fruity sodas for summer birthdays so everyone had a special glass. Now the grownups get to join the fun with real flavors.
Common Questions
- → What's the best way to whip up basil syrup?
Bring the same amount of water and sugar to heat, stir until dissolved, toss in basil leaves, let them soak for 10 minutes, then cool what you've made and strain out the leaves.
- → Can I use something other than blueberries in this drink?
Definitely—swap in blackberries, strawberries, or raspberries if you want a different vibe.
- → Could I switch out the lime and go with lemon juice?
For sure! Lemon juice brings a different kind of tang and still tastes awesome here.
- → What's good to put on top of this drink?
A few sprigs of basil and wedges of lime really kick up the smell and make your drink pop.
- → How should this Citrus Berry Basil Smash be served?
Dump plenty of ice into chilled glasses, pour in the mix, and finish up with some sparkling grapefruit water just before handing it out.
- → How long will homemade basil syrup stay fresh?
Stash it in a covered jar in the fridge and it'll keep for half a year, easy!