Description
Fresh, homemade strawberry lemonade made with real strawberries, fresh lemon juice, and just the right amount of sweetness. This naturally pink, refreshing summer drink is perfect for parties, picnics, or anytime you need a cool, delicious beverage.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Strawberry Puree:
- 2 cups fresh strawberries, hulled and halved (about 1 pound)
- ½ cup water
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
For the Lemonade:
- 1 cup fresh lemon juice (from about 4–6 lemons)
- ¾ cup granulated sugar (adjust to taste)
- 4 cups cold water
- Pinch of salt (optional, but recommended)
For Serving:
- Ice cubes
- Fresh strawberry slices
- Lemon slices
- Fresh mint sprigs (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the Strawberries: Wash the strawberries thoroughly under cold water. Remove the green hulls and any white cores. Slice larger strawberries in half to help them blend more easily.
- Make the Strawberry Puree: In a blender, combine the hulled strawberries, ½ cup water, and ¼ cup sugar. Blend on high speed for 30-60 seconds until completely smooth with no chunks remaining. The mixture should be a vibrant pink color.
- Strain the Puree (Optional but Recommended): Pour the strawberry puree through a fine mesh strainer set over a bowl, using a spoon or spatula to press the liquid through while leaving behind the seeds and pulp. This creates a smoother, more refined lemonade. If you don’t mind a slightly textured drink with seeds, you can skip this step.
- Juice the Lemons: Roll each lemon firmly on the counter with your palm before cutting—this helps break down the internal membranes and releases more juice. Cut lemons in half and juice them using your preferred method until you have 1 full cup of fresh lemon juice. Strain out any seeds or pulp.
- Dissolve the Sugar: In a large pitcher, combine the remaining ¾ cup sugar with 1 cup of the cold water. Stir vigorously for about 1-2 minutes until the sugar is completely dissolved. You shouldn’t see or feel any granules at the bottom. Adding a pinch of salt at this stage helps balance the flavors beautifully.
- Combine Everything: To the sugar water, add the fresh lemon juice, strained strawberry puree, and the remaining 3 cups of cold water. Stir well to combine all ingredients thoroughly.
- Taste and Adjust: This is crucial! Take a small taste and adjust the flavor to your preference. If it’s too tart, add 1-2 tablespoons more sugar and stir until dissolved. If it’s too sweet, add more lemon juice, 1 tablespoon at a time. Remember that ice will slightly dilute the flavor, so it should taste a bit strong when you sample it.
- Chill Thoroughly: Refrigerate the lemonade for at least 1 hour before serving to allow the flavors to meld and the drink to become ice-cold. This step makes a noticeable difference in taste.
- Serve Over Ice: Fill glasses with ice cubes and pour the chilled strawberry lemonade over the ice. Garnish with fresh strawberry slices, lemon wheels, and mint sprigs for a beautiful presentation.
Notes
- Sweetness Adjustment: The amount of sugar needed varies based on the sweetness of your strawberries and tartness of your lemons. Always taste and adjust before serving.
- Smooth vs. Textured: Straining the strawberry puree creates a smooth, seed-free lemonade that looks more professional. Skipping this step gives you a more rustic, fiber-rich drink.
- Make it Fizzy: Replace 1-2 cups of the water with sparkling water or club soda just before serving for a fun, effervescent version.
- Sugar Alternatives: Honey, agave nectar, or simple syrup (equal parts sugar and water heated until dissolved) work beautifully in this recipe.
- Storage: Keeps in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Stir well before serving as some separation is natural.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Beverages
- Method: Blending
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup (8 oz)
- Calories: 95
- Sugar: 23g
- Sodium: 5mg
- Fat: 0g
- Saturated Fat: 0g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 25g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 0mg