How to Make the Perfect Strawberry Lemonade at Home (Easy)
There’s nothing like a large glass of chilled, homemade lemonade on a warm day. This sweet strawberry lemonade is easy to make with no blending or straining. This strawberry recipe is perfect for a summer BBQ, a pool day, or just celebrating the end of the week.
This recipe is sweet, but I love it, and the kids will too. It’s also pretty to serve at a party.
Ingredients and Tools You’ll Need
Just some simple fresh ingredients. You can definitely use frozen strawberries. But I’m sorry, you can’t use bottled lemon juice.
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Strawberry Syrup
- 1 cup sliced strawberries (frozen is perfect!)
- ¾ cup sugar
- ½ cup water
To Make the Lemonade
- 1 cup fresh lemon juice (about 8 lemons)
- 3 cups water (for mixing)
How to Make Strawberry Lemonade
Step 1: Make The Strawberry Syrup. Combine the strawberries, sugar, and ½ cup of water in a small saucepan. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium heat. Once boiling, gently mash the strawberries with a fork or potato masher. Simmer for 1-3 minutes until the strawberries soften and release their juices.
Step 2: Mix And Chill. Pour the strawberry syrup (including the mashed fruit) into a pitcher. Add the fresh lemon juice and 3 cups of water, stirring to combine. Place the pitcher in the refrigerator to chill for at least 1 hour.
Step 3: Serve. Serve the lemonade over ice. Garnish with a lemon wedge and a strawberry slice if desired.
Storage Instructions
Fridge: Keep it in a sealed pitcher or container for up to 3 days. Make sure it stays tightly covered to maintain freshness.
Freezer: Unfortunately, this drink doesn’t freeze well once mixed, as the flavor and texture can change. However, you can freeze the strawberry syrup separately! Just pour the syrup into an airtight container or ice cube tray and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw the syrup and mix it with fresh lemon juice and water to make more lemonade.
What to Serve with Strawberry Lemonade
Serve this with a classic summertime dinner.
- Buttermilk fried chicken is a classic crowd-pleaser.
- Old-fashioned cucumber and onion salad is easy to make and light.
- Even if you think you can’t make biscuits, you can make these!
- A slice of the perfect key lime pie will finish off your meal.
Questions and Troubleshooting
No problem! You can strain the strawberry syrup after it’s done simmering. A fine mesh strainer will do the trick. This way, you’ll get all the strawberry flavor without the pulp or seeds in your drink.
Yes, this lemonade makes a great base for a cocktail! A splash of vodka, rum, or gin can turn this into a fun adult drink. Just be sure to adjust the quantity depending on your crowd, and maybe label it if you’re serving kids, too! If you’re looking for a lemonade that’s as pretty as it is delicious, try my pink lemonade recipe. It’s a fun twist on the classic, perfect for parties or just when you want a pop of color.
Yes! You can make the strawberry syrup up to a day or two in advance and keep it in the fridge. Then, when you’re ready to serve, mix it with the lemon juice and water. This makes it super easy to prep for a party or picnic. If you love fruity variations, you might also enjoy my blackberry lemonade, which brings a delicious twist to fresh blackberries. It’s another perfect summer drink to keep on hand.
More Lemonade Recipes
- Enjoy the original old-fashioned lemonade.
- Try a different berry combination with this fresh summertime blackberry lemonade.
- Add some basil to make strawberry basil lemonade.
Printable Recipe
Perfectly Sweet Strawberry Lemonade
Equipment
- Small saucepan
- Fork or potato masher
- Pitcher
- Citrus juicer
- stirring spoon
Ingredients
Strawberry Syrup
- 1 cup sliced strawberries (frozen is perfect!)
- ¾ cup sugar
- ½ cup water
To Make the Lemonade
- 1 cup fresh lemon juice (about 8 lemons)
- 3 cups water (for mixing)
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Instructions
- Make the strawberry syrup. Combine the strawberries, sugar, and ½ cup of water in a small saucepan. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium heat. Once boiling, gently mash the strawberries with a fork or potato masher. Simmer for 1-3 minutes until the strawberries soften and release their juices.
- Mix and chill. Pour the strawberry syrup (including the mashed fruit) into a pitcher. Add the fresh lemon juice and 3 cups of water, stirring to combine. Place the pitcher in the refrigerator to chill for at least 1 hour.
- Serve. Serve the lemonade over ice. Garnish with a lemon wedge and a strawberry slice if desired.
Nutrition
By Katie Shaw
Katie shares simple, reliable recipes from her home in Virginia, where she lives with her husband, three daughters, a chocolate lab, and over thirty chickens.
ummmm
it was seriously so good i love it and so does my family
Hey Joclyn, I’m so happy to hear that you and your family loved it!