Description
This Refreshing Strawberry Lemonade is a perfect summer beverage combining fresh strawberries and tangy lemon juice for a sweet, vibrant, and thirst-quenching drink. Made with simple ingredients and easily customizable, it’s ideal for family gatherings or a cool treat on a hot day.
Ingredients
Scale
Fruit Base
- 1 lb fresh strawberries, hulled and halved
- 1 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice (about 4–6 lemons)
- 1 cup cold water (for blending)
- 3 cups cold water (to dilute)
Sweeteners and Garnish
- ¾ cup granulated sugar (adjust to taste)
- 1 cup ice cubes
- Lemon slices and extra strawberries for garnish (optional)
- Fresh mint leaves (optional)
Instructions
- Blend Strawberries: In a blender, combine the hulled and halved strawberries with 1 cup of water. Blend on high speed until completely smooth.
- Strain Puree: Pour the strawberry puree through a fine mesh strainer into a large pitcher to remove seeds, pressing gently with a spoon to extract as much liquid as possible.
- Add Lemon Juice and Sugar: Pour in the freshly squeezed lemon juice and add the granulated sugar. Stir vigorously until the sugar is fully dissolved.
- Mix Water: Stir in the remaining 3 cups of cold water to dilute the lemonade to desired strength. Taste and adjust sweetness as needed by adding more sugar if preferred.
- Chill and Serve: Add ice cubes to the pitcher and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to chill thoroughly. Serve over ice and garnish with lemon slices, strawberry halves, and fresh mint leaves if desired.
Notes
- For a natural sweetener, substitute sugar with honey or agave syrup.
- To make sparkling strawberry lemonade, replace some of the water with club soda right before serving.
- Store leftover lemonade in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, stirring before serving.
