Remove strawberry stems and cut into slices Mix together strawberry slices and sugar, shake periodically to dissolve (for best results, leave overnight.)
Steep pepper in 8 oz hot water for 5 minutes. Mix together strawberry/sugar mix with pepper-infused water.
In a saucepan, bring to a simmer strawberry/sugar mix and peppercorns, stirring until sugar is dissolved and strawberries are blanched.
Remove from heat, strain solids and add basil, leave to infuse/cool