Homemade Strawberry Lemonade Recipe

I absolutely love this recipe because it’s like sipping summer in a glass, bursting with the refreshing combo of strawberries and lemons that’s both sweet and tangy. Plus, it’s super fun to make and totally Instagram-worthy with the gorgeous garnish of mint leaves and fruit slices!

I adore the zesty combination of flavors in my homemade strawberry lemonade. With ripe strawberries and just-squeezed lemon juice, it’s a blissful mix that’s abundant with vitamin C.

The 3/4 cup of granulated sugar makes it taste as if it were meant to be the perfect balance between refreshing and tart. And when you serve it over ice—upscale it with some optional mint, if you’d like—it’s a drink that should come with sunglasses; it’s pure sunshine in a glass.

Homemade Strawberry Lemonade Recipe Ingredients

• Fresh Strawberries: Provide natural sweetness; rich in vitamins C and antioxidants.
• Freshly Squeezed Lemon Juice: Adds a tart, refreshing kick; a great source of vitamin C.
• Granulated Sugar: Sweetens the lemonade; contains carbohydrates for energy.
• Cold Water: Hydrates and balances the flavors of the drink.
• Mint Leaves: Add aromatic freshness; can soothe digestive system.

Homemade Strawberry Lemonade Recipe Ingredient Quantities

• 1 cup fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced
• 1 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice (about 4-6 lemons)
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar
• 4 cups cold water
• Ice cubes, for serving
• Fresh mint leaves, for garnish (optional)
• Sliced strawberries and lemon wedges, for garnish (optional)

How to Make this Homemade Strawberry Lemonade Recipe

1. Mix the 1/4 cup of sugar with the sliced strawberries in a blender or food processor. Blend the mixture until it is smooth and has the texture of a puree.

2. Strawberry puree should be poured through a fine-mesh sieve into a pitcher to remove seeds and pulp; discard the solids.

3. Combine the strained strawberry puree with freshly squeezed lemon juice in the pitcher.

4. In a small saucepan, blend together the other 1/2 cup sugar with 1 cup of cold water. Place over medium heat, and mix until the sugar completely disappears; what you create is a simple syrup. Take it off the heat, and allow it to cool a bit.

5. Combine the cooled simple syrup with the pitcher of strawberries and lemons.

6. Add the final 3 cups of cold water to the pitcher and stir all ingredients together well.

7. Sample the lemonade and, if necessary, adjust the sweetness or tartness by adding more sugar or more lemon juice.

8. Refrigerate the lemonade for at least an hour or until you are ready to serve it. This is a necessary step because it allows the drinks’ flavors to mingle.

9. For serving, glasses are first filled with ice and then the strawberry lemonade is poured over.

10. If desired, you can use fresh mint leaves, sliced strawberries, and lemon wedges to garnish. After that, just sit back and enjoy your refreshing homemade strawberry lemonade!

Homemade Strawberry Lemonade Recipe Equipment Needed

1. Blender or food processor
2. Fine-mesh sieve
3. Pitcher
4. Small saucepan
5. Measuring cups
6. Measuring spoons
7. Mixing spoon
8. Knife
9. Cutting board
10. Glasses for serving
11. Ice cube tray (if making ice)

FAQ

• Q: Can I use frozen strawberries instead of fresh?A: You can use frozen strawberries, yes. Just be sure to thaw them a little before blending.
• Q: How do I ensure my lemonade is not too sweet?Adjust the sweetness to taste. Start by using half of what you think you’ll need and adjust up from there.
• Q: Can I make this strawberry lemonade ahead of time?A: Yes, the lemonade may be prepared a day in advance and kept in the refrigerator. Simply add ice and garnishes just before you serve it.
• Q: What can I use instead of granulated sugar?A: Honey, agave syrup, or a sugar substitute like stevia can be used in place of what is usually added. Adjust ingredients to your liking.
• Q: Is there a way to make this recipe a sparkling lemonade?A: Yes, substitute with half or all of the cold water with sparkling water just before serving for the fizzy version.
• Q: Can I add alcohol to this lemonade?Certainly! For a grown-up twist, throw in a shot of vodka or rum.

Homemade Strawberry Lemonade Recipe Substitutions and Variations

Use 1 cup of thawed frozen strawberries instead of fresh strawberries.
In the absence of fresh lemon juice, use 1 cup of bottled lemon juice instead.
Instead of granulated sugar, try using 1/2 cup of honey or agave syrup for a healthier alternative.
To achieve a different flavor, substitute the 4 cups of cold water with sparkling water.
Basil leaves can be used in place of mint leaves to create a distinct version of this garnish.

Pro Tips

1. Sweetness Adjustment Before adding the full amount of sugar, start by adding 1/2 cup and taste the mixture. Some strawberries are sweeter than others, and personal preference for sweetness varies. You can always add more sugar later if needed.

2. Chill It Faster If you’re in a hurry, instead of refrigerating for an hour, you can serve the lemonade over a mix of ice and frozen strawberries. This will cool the drink quickly without diluting it too much.

3. Enhance Strawberry Flavor For a bolder strawberry taste, consider roasting the strawberries in the oven at 375°F (190°C) for about 10 minutes before pureeing. This concentrates their flavors and adds depth to the lemonade.

4. Balanced Acidity If you find the lemonade too acidic, a small pinch of baking soda can balance it out. Be careful, as too much can alter the flavor.

5. Herbal Twist Infuse extra flavor by adding a few sprigs of fresh mint or basil to the simple syrup as it cools. Remove the herbs before adding the syrup to the pitcher if you want a subtle hint of these flavors.