Refreshing Strawberry Lemonade is perfect for all your summer entertaining needs. You can have a delicious cold thirst quencher with a handful of ingredients, a little advanced preparation, and five minutes. Try this homemade strawberry lemonade using fresh strawberries for a burst of strawberry flavor. Perfect for picnics, BBQs, or just a hot day!
Refreshing Strawberry Lemonade
Strawberries are abundant year round here, but this time of year, they seem particularly sweet and, oh, such a pretty shade of red. It is as if they can ripen on the plant longer before being picked. Homemade lemonade is so easy to make and refreshing. It includes five ingredients, and two of them are water and ice! I know what you are thinking! You got this covered, right? Make the simple syrup ahead of time, and put this together in minutes. You could do this entire recipe in less time than it takes to throw in a load of laundry, making it the perfect party beverage.
This beautiful, refreshing Strawberry Lemonade Recipe is the perfect blend of fresh strawberries and fresh lemons without being overly sweet or syrupy. It is the perfect balance of tartness and sweetness. Do you want to jazz it up for your upcoming patio party? Throw in a little vodka or tequila for a refreshing summer cocktail. You can add sliced strawberries to jazz it up, but it tastes great and looks gorgeous both ways. If you like entertaining, try Arnold Palmer drink, blueberry lemonade, mango lassi, and orange julius.
Just 4 Ingredients for Strawberry Lemonade
- Water
- Granulated sugar
- Strawberries – fresh sun-ripened
- Lemons – for juice and garnish
- Mint sprigs – optional garnish
How to make Strawberry Lemonade
It is so easy and only takes about five minutes if you prepare your simple syrup in advance. Heat the water and sugar in a small saucepan over medium heat to a simmer to prepare your simple syrup. Stir the mixture until the sugar granules dissolve, and let it fully cool.
Add your strawberries and lemon juice to a blender or food processor and puree. Pour the strawberry puree into a large pitcher. Stir in the rest of the cooled simple syrup. For best results, chill for 2-3 hours. Pour over ice and garnish with fresh strawberries, lemon slices, and mint if desired.
Beth’s Recipe Tips
- Make the sugar water mixture (simple syrup) in advance and chill well.
- I prefer to use fresh strawberries for this. Frozen strawberries can be used, but they must be thawed completely. Better yet, you can make a frozen strawberry lemonade.
- If you like less pulpy strawberry lemonade, strain the strawberry mixture through a fine mesh strainer.
- Other sweeteners to substitute are honey, agave syrup, or stevia
- To garnish with strawberries and lemon slices, slice about halfway up the middle, starting at the bottom and sliding on the glass’s rim.
- Fresh mint always adds a refreshing hint of flavor.
- For variation, swap out limes for lemons for strawberry limeade or use club soda instead of water for a sparkling lemonade. Make an all-natural pink lemonade by adding a little cranberry juice.
- If you’re in a hurry, dissolve the sugar in 2 cups of water on the stovetop. Let it cool for a few minutes, and then add 4 cups of chilled water to the mixture.
Storage
If the lemonade will not be consumed quickly, add ice only to the glasses and not the pitcher. You don’t want the delicious Strawberry Lemonade getting watered down.
Store leftovers in a covered beverage decanter in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Strawberry Lemonade Recipe
Ingredients
- 6 cups of cold water
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 lb fresh strawberries hulled reserve 4 small strawberries for garnish
- 1 1/2 cups fresh lemon juice
- Lemon slices
- Mint sprigs optional
- Ice
Instructions
- Heat the water and sugar over medium heat to a simmer. Stir the mixture until the sugar dissolves. Let it fully cool before using.
- Add the strawberries, lemon juice, and three cups of cooled water/sugar mixture to a blender and puree. Pour the mixture into a large pitcher. Stir in the rest of the water/sugar mixture. For best results, chill for 2-3 hours. Pour over ice and garnish with fresh strawberries and lemon slices.
Notes
- Make the sugar water mixture (simple syrup) in advance and chill well.
- I prefer to use fresh strawberries for this. Frozen strawberries can be used, but they must be thawed completely. Or better yet, make a frozen strawberry lemonade using frozen strawberries.
- To garnish with strawberries and lemon slices, slice about halfway up the middle, starting at the bottom and sliding on the glass’s rim.
- Fresh mint always adds a refreshing hint of flavor.
- In a hurry, dissolve the sugar in 2 cups of water on the stovetop. Let it cool for a few minutes, and then add 4 cups of chilled water to the mixture.
- If the lemonade will not be consumed quickly, add ice only to the glasses and not the pitcher. You don’t want the delicious Strawberry Lemonade getting watered down.
- Store leftovers in a covered beverage decanter in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Nutrition
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Megan
It was delicious, so sweet and flavorful! perfect for summer barbecues and pool parties