Basil is an accent, not a green ingredient

A little basil can make ripe strawberries taste more aromatic without turning the shake savoury. The quantity is deliberately small. Three small leaves are very different from three large stems, so remove the stems and err on the side of restraint. You can add another leaf after tasting, but cannot easily remove an overpowering herbal flavour.

Use fresh, tender basil rather than dried basil. Dried leaves do not provide the same fragrance or texture in a cold drink. Add the herb last so you can control how finely it is broken down and stop before it dominates the colour.

Choose strawberries that carry the flavour

The frozen dessert gives sweetness and body, but the strawberries still need to taste good. Very watery fruit produces a pale, vague shake even when enough sugar is present. Smell and taste a berry before blending. Lemon sharpens the flavour slightly, but it cannot manufacture strawberry aroma.

Unsweetened oat drink leaves room for the sweetness of the ice cream. Check that the frozen dessert is genuinely dairy-free and that its allergen information suits whoever is drinking it. Blend only briefly once it is added. This keeps the texture softly thick and avoids a large foam cap that may look impressive but disappears quickly.

What you'll need

220 g fresh strawberries, hulled
180 ml unsweetened oat drink
100 g dairy-free vanilla ice cream
3 small basil leaves
1 tsp lemon juice

Let's make it

Wash and hull the strawberries, then halve any large berries. Wash the basil and pat it dry.
Blend strawberries, oat drink and lemon juice until smooth. Add dairy-free ice cream and blend briefly.
Add the basil last and pulse only until fine green flecks appear. Taste before adding another leaf because basil strength varies.
Pour into two glasses and serve immediately, without a large herb garnish that might suggest a much stronger basil flavour.

Make it your own

Mint can replace basil, using only two small leaves to start because the flavour is different and often stronger.

Use a suitable soy drink instead of oat drink if preferred, updating the allergen information.

Keeping it fresh

Serve fresh, because basil aroma and the frozen texture change as the drink stands. Keep prepared strawberries covered in the fridge and blend shortly before serving. Follow product storage labels.