When the weather heats up, there’s nothing more refreshing than a glass of ice-cold strawberry lemonade. This homemade strawberry lemonade is packed with real strawberry flavor, fresh lemon juice, and just the right balance of sweet and tart.
Whether you’re hosting a summer gathering or relaxing on the patio, this easy recipe is the perfect summer drink to cool you down. With just a few simple ingredients and a blender, you can make strawberry lemonade at home that’s better than anything store-bought, and ready in minutes.
Table of Contents
Ingredients
You only need a handful of simple ingredients to make the best strawberry lemonade for hot days. Here’s everything you’ll need:
For the Strawberry Lemonade:
• 2 cups fresh strawberries, hulled and halved (or use frozen strawberries, thawed)
• 1 cup fresh lemon juice (about 4 to 6 lemons, freshly squeezed)
• ½ cup simple syrup (adjust to taste)
• 3 cups cold water
• Ice cubes, for serving
Optional for Garnish:
• Extra sliced strawberries
• Lemon slices
• Fresh mint
Fresh strawberries and real lemon juice are the keys to making homemade strawberry lemonade with bright, bold flavor. You can adjust the sweetness with more or less simple syrup to suit your taste. If you love pink lemonade, this homemade version delivers all the color and freshness naturally.
Instructions
Follow these easy steps to make strawberry lemonade that’s refreshing, vibrant, and perfect for summer:
Step 1: Make the Strawberry Puree
• Place the fresh strawberries in a blender.
• Blend until smooth to create a thick strawberry puree.
• For a smoother drink, pour the puree through a fine mesh strainer to remove seeds.
Step 2: Mix the Lemonade
• In a large pitcher, combine the strawberry puree, fresh lemon juice, and simple syrup.
• Pour in the cold water and stir well to mix everything evenly.
Step 3: Taste and Adjust
• Taste the lemonade and adjust the sweetness with more simple syrup if desired. You can also add extra lemon juice for a more tart flavor.
Step 4: Serve
• Fill glasses with ice cubes.
• Pour the strawberry lemonade over the ice.
• Garnish with sliced strawberries, lemon slices, or fresh mint if you like.
Enjoy your homemade strawberry lemonade, bursting with real fruit flavor and ready in just minutes, the perfect summer drink to cool you down.
Pro Tips and Variations
Making the best strawberry lemonade at home is easy, but these simple tips help boost the flavor and give you options for customizing:
Pro Tips
• Use fresh strawberries for the best flavor. You can use frozen strawberries, but thaw them first for easy blending.
• Roll the lemons on the counter before juicing to get the most juice out of them.
• Adjust the sweetness by adding more or less simple syrup to taste.
• For a smoother drink, always strain the strawberry puree with a fine mesh sieve to remove seeds.
• Chill your large pitcher in the fridge for at least 30 minutes before serving to keep the lemonade extra cold.
Fun Variations
• Sparkling Strawberry Lemonade: Replace some of the water with sparkling water for a fizzy twist.
• Pink Lemonade: Use extra strawberries for a deeper pink color.
• Mixed Berry Lemonade: Blend in raspberries or blueberries with the strawberries for added berry flavor.
• Sugar-Free Option: Swap the simple syrup with a sugar substitute like stevia for a low-sugar drink.
Homemade strawberry lemonade is so easy to customize, make it tart, sweet, fizzy, or even boozy depending on your mood!
Serving Suggestions
This homemade strawberry lemonade is the perfect summer drink for all occasions. Here are some of the best ways to enjoy it:
• Serve Over Ice: Pour your fresh strawberry lemonade over plenty of ice cubes for the ultimate refreshment on hot days.
• Party Pitcher: Make a big batch and keep it chilled in a large pitcher, ideal for BBQs, picnics, or summer parties.
• Garnish for Extra Flair: Add slices of lemon, whole strawberries, or fresh mint to each glass for a beautiful presentation.
• Make Ahead Tip: You can prepare the strawberry and lemon mixture ahead of time, keep it chilled, and add ice right before serving to keep your drink cold and flavorful.
Homemade strawberry lemonade pairs perfectly with light summer meals, snacks, or simply as a refreshing drink to enjoy outdoors.
Conclusion
There’s nothing better than a glass of cold, homemade strawberry lemonade on a hot day. This easy recipe uses simple ingredients like fresh strawberries, lemon juice, and a little sweetener to create a perfectly balanced summer drink. Whether you’re hosting a party, relaxing outside, or craving something fruity and refreshing, this strawberry lemonade recipe delivers bold flavor with minimal effort. Make a batch today and enjoy the best strawberry lemonade to keep cool all summer long.
The Best Strawberry Lemonade
Ingredients
Strawberry Lemonade Ingredients
- 2 cups fresh strawberries hulled and halved
- 1 cup fresh lemon juice about 4 to 6 lemons
- 0.5 cup simple syrup adjust to taste
- 3 cups cold water
- Ice cubes for serving
- Lemon slices and fresh strawberries optional garnish
Instructions
- Place the fresh strawberries in a blender and blend until smooth to create a thick puree. Strain through a fine mesh sieve for a smoother drink if desired.
- In a large pitcher, combine the strawberry puree, fresh lemon juice, and simple syrup. Stir well to mix.
- Add the cold water to the pitcher and stir again. Taste and adjust sweetness by adding more simple syrup if needed.
- Serve the strawberry lemonade over ice cubes and garnish with lemon slices and fresh strawberries if desired.
Notes
- Calories: 110
- Total Fat: 0g
- Saturated Fat: 0g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
- Sodium: 5mg
- Total Carbohydrates: 27g
- Dietary Fiber: 2g
- Total Sugars: 22g
- Protein: 1g
- Vitamin A: 0% Daily Value
- Vitamin C: 60% Daily Value
FAQs
What’s in strawberry lemonade?
Strawberry lemonade is made with fresh strawberries, lemon juice, water, and a sweetener like simple syrup. You can also add ice and garnish with extra strawberries or lemon slices for serving.
Can you juice a strawberry?
Yes, you can blend strawberries into a puree and strain them to create fresh strawberry juice. This juice adds natural sweetness and bold berry flavor to homemade strawberry lemonade.
Can you put lemon juice on strawberries?
Absolutely. A squeeze of lemon juice enhances the flavor of fresh strawberries, adding a tart, zesty contrast to their natural sweetness. It’s a great combination for fruit salads, drinks, or desserts.
