Description
This Strawberry Lemonade recipe is the ultimate refreshing summer drink, combining fresh strawberries and tangy lemon juice with just the right amount of sweetness. Perfectly chilled and garnished with lemon slices and strawberries, it’s an easy-to-make beverage that brightens up any warm day with vibrant flavors and a delightful balance of sweet and tart.
Ingredients
Scale
Strawberry Mixture
- 1 pound fresh strawberries, hulled
- 1 cup granulated sugar, plus more to taste
Lemonade Base
- 8 cups water, divided
- 1 ½ cups freshly squeezed lemon juice (from about 8–10 lemons)
For Serving and Garnish
- Ice cubes, for serving
- Lemon slices and whole strawberries, for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Hull the Strawberries: Remove the green leafy tops from the fresh strawberries to prepare them for maceration.
- Combine Strawberries and Sugar: Place the hulled strawberries in a medium bowl and mix with 1 cup of granulated sugar.
- Macerate the Strawberries: Stir gently and let the mixture sit at room temperature for at least 30 minutes, up to an hour, stirring occasionally. This allows the strawberries to release their natural juices and soften.
- Puree the Strawberry Mixture: Transfer the macerated strawberries and their juices to a blender or food processor and blend until completely smooth.
- Strain the Puree (Optional): For a seed-free, smoother lemonade, pass the puree through a fine-mesh sieve, discarding the solids.
- Squeeze the Lemons: Freshly squeeze lemons until you obtain 1 ½ cups of lemon juice, removing any seeds.
- Combine Water and Lemon Juice: In a large pitcher, add 6 cups of water and the freshly squeezed lemon juice, stirring them together thoroughly.
- Add the Strawberry Puree: Pour the strawberry puree into the lemonade base and mix well to combine the flavors.
- Taste and Adjust Sweetness: Sample the mixture and add more sugar in tablespoons if needed, stirring until dissolved and sweetness reaches your preference.
- Add Remaining Water: Pour in the remaining 2 cups of water to the pitcher and stir well to balance the lemonade.
- Chill the Lemonade: Cover the pitcher and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, preferably one to two hours, to allow the flavors to meld and the drink to chill.
- Serve and Garnish: Fill glasses with ice cubes and pour the strawberry lemonade over them. Garnish each glass with lemon slices and whole strawberries if desired for a beautiful presentation.
Notes
- This lemonade can be adjusted to taste by modifying the sugar quantity or lemon juice according to preference.
- For a more intense strawberry flavor, use ripe and sweet strawberries.
- Straining the strawberry puree is optional—leaving seeds in provides more texture but may not be preferred by everyone.
- Store any leftovers covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- To make it sparkling, replace some or all the water with sparkling water just before serving.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Beverage
- Method: Blending
- Cuisine: American
