Strawberry Lemonade
Want something to quench your thirst? This slightly sweet lemonade will hit the spot on a hot summer day. Loaded with strawberry flavor and a bright lemony taste from fresh lemons, this thirst-quenching Strawberry Lemonade is as tempting as it is tasty.
Simply make some strawberry syrup and add it to lemon juice, water and ice in a large pitcher to make a summer sipper that is so very refreshing. Only a handful of ingredients will yield a thirst-quenching drink for the whole family.
And what makes this tall cold drink so heavenly? Well, FRESH strawberries, of course. Be sure to pick them yourself or grab a pint or two at the local farmer’s market for the best, freshest tasting drink you’ll make all summer.
There are no powders, mixes or artificial sweeteners in this glass of lemonade. It requires only a few fresh ingredients to make a slightly sweet, slightly tart, refreshing drink for summer. You’re going to love this easy recipe for Strawberry Lemonade.
For more COOL drinks, check out these sips!
Smoothies, mocktails and cocktails are a great way to liven up a barbecue or family gathering without breaking the bank. Most summer drinks can be made with just a few simple ingredients.
Key Ingredients for Strawberry Lemonade
For the strawberry simple syrup:
- Strawberries– You’ll need two cups of strawberries, cleaned, capped and cut in half.
- Sugar– Granulated sugar is melted in water and added to the strawberries to make a simple syrup.
For the lemonade:
- Lemons– One cup of freshly squeezed lemon juice is needed. Use about 4 lemons to get one cup of juice.
- Ice– Fill each glass with ice before pouring in the strawberry lemonade.
How to make Strawberry Lemonade
- Begin by making the strawberry simple syrup. Dissolve one cup of sugar in two cups of water in a saucepan and bring it to a boil over medium heat while stirring. Add the strawberries.
- Reduce heat to low and simmer for 15 minutes until syrup is red and berries are soft. Do not mash the berries or it will make your syrup clouded with seeds and bits of fruit.
- Strain the strawberries from the syrup and reserve them for another use. (Eat them over vanilla ice cream for dessert.) Allow the strawberry syrup to chill in the refrigerator for at least one hour before adding it to the lemonade. This recipe makes about 4 cups of simple syrup, enough for two pitchers of lemonade.
- Now make the lemonade. In a large pitcher, add one cup of fresh-squeezed lemon juice and 4 cups of cold water, stir. Stir in 2 cups of chilled strawberry simple syrup. Put ice in each glass and slowly pour lemonade over the ice. Add fresh berries and lemon slices to each glass to garnish.
This summertime lemonade is great to serve at a picnic or poolside get-together. The recipe makes 2 small pitchers or 6 servings per pitcher when poured over ice.
Variations to Strawberry Lemonade
SPIKE IT– Stir in an ounce of vodka or Grand Marnier to make a refreshing summer cocktail. So delicious!
FREEZE IT– Add ice to the blender and pour the water, lemon juice and simple syrup over the ice. Blend for two minutes on high to crush the ice and make Frozen Strawberry Lemonade.
SWAP IT– Throughout the summer, use berries that are fresh and plentiful to replace the strawberries. We often use blackberries to make a delicious fruity lemonade.
Got a variation of your own? I’d love to hear about it! Leave me a comment with how you’ve made this lemonade perfect for your family.
More of the Best Summer Recipes
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Strawberry Lemonade
Ingredients
For simple syrup:
- 2 cups strawberries, capped and cut in half
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 cups water
For the lemonade:
- 1 cup lemon juice, squeeze 4 lemons
- 4 cups cold water
- ice
Instructions
- Begin by making the strawberry simple syrup. Dissolve one cup of sugar in two cups of water in a saucepan and bring it to a boil over medium heat while stirring. Add the strawberries.
- Reduce heat to low and simmer for 15 minutes until syrup is red and berries are soft. Do not mash the berries or it will make your syrup clouded with seeds and bits of fruit.
- Strain the strawberries from the syrup and reserve them for another use. (Eat them over ice cream for dessert.) Allow the syrup to chill in the refrigerator for at least one hour before adding it to the lemonade. This recipe makes about 4 cups of simple syrup, enough for two pitchers of lemonade.
- Now make the lemonade. In a large pitcher, add one cup of fresh-squeezed lemon juice and 4 cups of cold water, stir. Stir in 2 cups of chilled strawberry simple syrup. Put ice in each glass and slowly pour lemonade over the ice. Add fresh berries and lemon slices to each glass to garnish.
Equipment
- 1 small pitcher, about 8 cups
- 1 long-handled spoon, for stirring
- 1 medium saucepan