This Homemade Strawberry Lemonade is the ultimate refreshing treat! Bursting with sweet strawberries and zesty lemon, it’s the perfect drink to brighten up any day. Whether you're hosting a summer picnic or just craving a fruity sip, this easy recipe will be your new go-to.
Why Make Homemade Strawberry Lemonade
- Simple Ingredients: Made with fresh, everyday ingredients you likely already have at home.
- Customizable Sweetness: Easily adjust the sugar to suit your taste.
- Bursting with Flavor: The combination of sweet strawberries and tangy lemons creates a perfectly balanced, refreshing drink.
- Perfect for Any Occasion: Great for summer picnics, family gatherings, or simply cooling off on a warm day.
- Kid-Friendly and Crowd-Pleasing: A drink everyone will enjoy, from kids to adults.
Ingredients
- Sugar: Used to create a sweet syrup base. Adjust to taste for the perfect balance.
- Water: Combined with sugar to make the syrup and also used for dilution.
- Lemon Juice: Freshly squeezed from about 4-6 lemons for a bright, tangy flavor.
- Fresh Strawberries: Hulled and halved, adding a sweet, fruity twist.
- Cold Water: Added to dilute and bring everything together.
Optional Add-ins:
- Slices of lemon: For a decorative and zesty garnish
- Whole Strawberries: For a pop of color and extra fruity touch
- Ice Cubes: To keep your lemonade perfectly chilled
Variations
- Honey Sweetened Lemonade: Use honey instead of sugar for a natural, floral sweetness.
- Sparkling Strawberry Lemonade: Replace some of the cold water with sparkling water for a fizzy twist.
- Strawberry Limeade: Swap out lemons for limes to create a tangy limeade version.
- Berry Blend Lemonade: Add a mix of raspberries, blueberries, or blackberries for a berry-packed flavor.
- Herbal Infusion: Steep fresh basil, mint, or rosemary in the syrup for a refreshing herbal note.
- Frozen Strawberry Lemonade: Blend the ingredients with ice for a frosty, slushie-style treat.
How To Make Strawberry Lemonade
Step One: In a small saucepan, combine 1 cup of sugar and 1 cup of water. Bring to a boil and stir until the sugar has dissolved completely. Remove the syrup from heat and let it cool for about 30 minutes.
Step Two: Juice the lemons: While the syrup is cooling, juice the lemons until you have 1 cup of lemon juice. Strain the juice to remove any seeds and excess pulp if you prefer a smoother lemonade.
Step Three: Prepare the strawberries: While the syrup is cooling, blend the strawberries with a little water to create a smooth puree.
Step Four: Strain the strawberry puree through a fine mesh if you prefer a smoother texture.
Step Five: Combine ingredients: In a large pitcher, mix the cooled syrup, lemon juice, strawberry puree, and 4 cups of cold water. Stir well.
Step Six: Taste your lemonade and if it’s too sweet, add more lemon juice. If it’s too tart, add more water or a bit more sugar. Add ice cubes to the pitcher or to individual glasses. Garnish with lemon slices, whole strawberries, and mint leaves and serve cold.
Expert Tips
- Use Fresh Lemons: Freshly squeezed lemon juice makes all the difference in flavor compared to bottled juice.
- Blend the Strawberries Well: For a smoother lemonade, strain the blended strawberries to remove any seeds or pulp.
- Adjust Sweetness: Taste your lemonade as you mix, and add more sugar or lemon juice to balance the flavor to your liking.
- Chill Before Serving: Let the lemonade sit in the fridge for at least an hour before serving to enhance the flavors.
- Get Creative with Garnishes: Add mint leaves, basil, or even a splash of sparkling water for a fun twist.
Best Way To Store Homemade Lemonade
- Refrigerate: Store your homemade strawberry lemonade in a pitcher with a lid or an airtight container in the fridge. It will stay fresh for up to 3-4 days.
- Stir Before Serving: Give it a quick stir before pouring, as natural settling may occur.
- Avoid Garnishes in Storage: If you added lemon slices or strawberries as garnish, remove them before storing to prevent bitterness or mushiness.
- Freeze for Later: Pour the lemonade into Ice Cube Trays and freeze for longer storage. Use the cubes to chill future batches without diluting the flavor.
what To Serve With This Recipe?
- Mango Chicken Salad: A light, flavorful salad with poached chicken, fresh greens, and a citrusy dressing.
- Caprese Mini Pizzas: Fresh mozzarella, tomato, and basil pizzas make a delicious, easy meal.
- Mediterranean Farro Salad: A hearty and refreshing salad with farro, fresh veggies, and a light vinaigrette to complement the fruity lemonade.
- Berry Salad with Goat Cheese: The combination of spinach, fresh berries, and creamy goat cheese echoes the strawberry flavors in the lemonade for a perfectly matched dish.
- Paprika Shrimp Skewers: Lightly seasoned shrimp with a paprika would go perfectly with the tangy lemonade.
Homemade Strawberry Lemonade
This homemade strawberry lemonade is the perfect balance of sweet and tangy—refreshing, fruity, and so easy to make! Grab some fresh strawberries and lemon, and you’ve got a delicious summer drink ready in minutes.
Ingredients
- 1 Cup Sugar (adjust to taste)
- 1 Cup Water (for the syrup)
- 1 Cup Lemon Juice (about 4-6 lemons, freshly squeezed)
- 1 Cup Fresh Strawberries hulled and halved
- 4 Cups Cold Water (to dilute)
Optional Add-ins:
- Slices Of Lemon
- Whole Strawberries
- Ice Cubes
Instructions
- Combine 1 cup sugar and 1 cup water in a saucepan. Boil until sugar dissolves, then cool for 30 minutes.
- Blend strawberries with a little water into a smooth puree (strain if desired).
- Juice lemons to yield 1 cup of juice, straining out seeds and pulp.
- In a pitcher, mix cooled syrup, lemon juice, strawberry puree, and 4 cups cold water. Stir well.
- Add more lemon juice for tartness, or water/sugar for sweetness
- Add ice to glasses, garnish with lemon slices, strawberries, and mint. Serve chilled.
Notes
Use Fresh Lemons: Freshly squeezed lemon juice makes all the difference in flavor compared to bottled juice.
Blend the Strawberries Well: For a smoother lemonade, strain the blended strawberries to remove any seeds or pulp.
Adjust Sweetness: Taste your lemonade as you mix, and add more sugar or lemon juice to balance the flavor to your liking.
Chill Before Serving: Let the lemonade sit in the fridge for at least an hour before serving to enhance the flavors.
Get Creative with Garnishes: Add mint leaves, basil, or even a splash of sparkling water for a fun twist.
Nutrition
Calories: 145kcalCarbohydrates: 38gProtein: 0.3gFat: 0.3gSaturated Fat: 0.02gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.05gMonounsaturated Fat: 0.01gSodium: 11mgPotassium: 79mgFiber: 1gSugar: 35gVitamin A: 5IUVitamin C: 30mgCalcium: 13mgIron: 0.1mg
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