Description
Strawberry Lemonade is the ultimate refreshing summer drink, combining fresh strawberries with tangy lemon juice and just the right amount of sweetness. This vibrant and thirst-quenching beverage is perfect for hot days, easy to prepare, and can be customized with sparkling water or garnishes for an extra special touch.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 pound fresh strawberries, hulled and halved
- 1 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice (about 4–6 lemons)
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar (adjust to taste)
- 4 cups cold water
- 1 cup ice
Optional Garnishes
- Lemon slices
- Fresh strawberries
- Fresh mint leaves
Instructions
- Blend Ingredients: In a blender, combine the hulled and halved strawberries, freshly squeezed lemon juice, and granulated sugar. Blend until completely smooth to ensure all the flavors marry well together.
- Strain Mixture: Pour the blended mixture through a fine mesh strainer into a large pitcher to remove seeds and pulp, creating a smooth lemonade base. Use a spoon to gently press the pulp and extract as much liquid as possible.
- Add Water and Mix: Stir in the cold water to the strained strawberry-lemon mixture. Mix well to combine thoroughly. Taste the lemonade and adjust the sweetness by adding more sugar if desired.
- Chill: Refrigerate the lemonade for at least 30 minutes to allow it to cool and for the flavors to meld beautifully.
- Serve: When ready to serve, pour the chilled lemonade over ice cubes in glasses. Garnish with lemon slices, fresh strawberry halves, and a sprig of mint if using, to enhance both flavor and presentation.
Notes
- For a sparkling version, replace part or all of the cold water with club soda or sparkling water just before serving.
- You can prepare this lemonade ahead of time and store it covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Freeze any extra lemonade in ice cube trays for flavored ice cubes to add to drinks later.