Why Make This Recipe
Strawberry lemonade is a refreshing drink perfect for warm days. It combines sweet strawberries and tangy lemon juice to create a delightful flavor. Making it at home is easy, and you can adjust the sweetness to your preference. This drink is also a fantastic way to impress your friends and family during gatherings or simply to enjoy on a sunny afternoon.
How to Make Strawberry Lemonade
Ingredients:
- 1/2 pound fresh strawberries, stems removed
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 4 1/2-5 cups water, divided
- 1 1/2 cups fresh-squeezed lemon juice
Directions:
- Use a blender or food processor to puree the strawberries until smooth. If you prefer, you can strain the pureed strawberries through a fine mesh sieve to remove any seeds.
- In a small saucepan, combine the sugar and 2 cups of water over medium heat. Stir until the mixture comes to a boil, then continue stirring until the sugar is fully dissolved. Remove the saucepan from the heat and let it cool to room temperature.
- Strain the fresh-squeezed lemon juice into a 2-quart pitcher using a fine-mesh sieve.
- Add the cooled simple syrup and the pureed strawberries to the pitcher. Stir the mixture until everything is well combined.
- Refrigerate the mixture until it’s nice and cold.
- When you are ready to serve, add 2 1/2 cups of cold water to the pitcher and stir. Taste your lemonade and add more water if it’s too sweet for you.
- Serve over ice and enjoy!
How to Serve Strawberry Lemonade
Strawberry lemonade can be served in tall glasses with ice and garnished with fresh strawberry slices or lemon wedges for an extra touch. It’s a wonderful drink for parties, barbecues, or casual get-togethers. You can also add some mint leaves for a refreshing twist.
How to Store Strawberry Lemonade
Store any leftover strawberry lemonade in a covered pitcher in the refrigerator. It will stay fresh for about 3-4 days. Give it a good stir before serving again as the ingredients may settle.
Tips to Make Strawberry Lemonade
- For a stronger strawberry flavor, use more strawberries or add a little strawberry extract.
- Adjust the amount of sugar based on how sweet or tart you like your drinks.
- Try mixing in other fruits, like raspberries or blueberries, for a fun twist.
- If you want to make it a fizzy drink, replace some of the water with sparkling water.
Variation
You can easily turn this strawberry lemonade into a fun adult beverage by adding a splash of vodka or rum. This version is perfect for summer parties or relaxing on a hot day.
FAQs
1. Can I use frozen strawberries?
Yes, you can use frozen strawberries if fresh ones are not available. Just let them thaw a bit for easier blending.
2. How can I make it less sweet?
You can reduce the amount of sugar or add more water to balance the sweetness.
3. Can I make this lemonade ahead of time?
Absolutely! You can prepare the lemonade a day in advance, just add the water right before serving to keep it fresh and cold.
Strawberry Lemonade
Equipment
- Blender or food processor
- Small saucepan
- Fine mesh sieve
- 2-quart pitcher
- Stirring spoon
Ingredients
- 1/2 lb fresh strawberries stems removed
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 4 1/2–5 cups water divided
- 1 1/2 cups fresh-squeezed lemon juice
Instructions
- Make strawberry purée: Blend strawberries until smooth. Strain to remove seeds if desired.
- Prepare syrup: In a saucepan, heat sugar and 2 cups water until sugar dissolves fully. Let cool to room temperature.
- Assemble lemonade: In a pitcher, combine strained lemon juice, cooled syrup, and strawberry purée. Stir well and refrigerate until chilled.
- Serve: Before serving, add 2 1/2 cups cold water (or more to taste). Serve over ice with optional strawberry or lemon garnish.