A refreshing homemade strawberry lemonade perfect for summer days. This recipe uses fresh strawberries and lemon juice for a bright, fruity flavor.
Author:Cat
Prep Time:15 min
Cook Time:5 min
Total Time:20 min
Yield:6 servings 1x
Category:Drinks
Method:No Cook
Cuisine:American
Diet:Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
2 cups fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced
1 cup granulated sugar
1 cup water
1 cup fresh lemon juice (about 4–6 lemons)
4 cups cold water
Ice cubes
Optional: Sparkling water or club soda
Optional: Fresh mint sprigs for garnish
Instructions
Make the simple syrup: In a small saucepan, combine the sugar and 1 cup of water. Heat over medium heat, stirring until the sugar is completely dissolved. Remove from heat and let cool.
Prepare the strawberries: In a blender or food processor, puree the sliced strawberries until smooth. Strain the puree through a fine-mesh sieve into a bowl to remove seeds, pressing with a spoon. Discard the solids.
Combine ingredients: In a large pitcher, combine the cooled simple syrup, strained strawberry puree, fresh lemon juice, and 4 cups of cold water. Stir well.
Chill: Refrigerate the lemonade for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
Serve: Fill glasses with ice. Pour the strawberry lemonade over the ice. If desired, top with sparkling water or club soda for a fizzy version. Garnish with fresh mint sprigs.
Notes
For a make-ahead pitcher drink, prepare the lemonade base (steps 1-3) and store it in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Add ice and sparkling water just before serving.
Adjust the sweetness by adding more or less simple syrup to your preference.
You can use other berries like raspberries or blueberries for a different flavor variation.