Description
This refreshing Strawberry Lemonade recipe combines fresh strawberries, tart lemon juice, and a sweet homemade simple syrup to create a perfectly balanced summer beverage. It’s easy to prepare and perfect for serving chilled with ice on a hot day.
Ingredients
Scale
Fruit
- 1/2 pound fresh strawberries, stems removed
- 1 1/2 cups fresh-squeezed lemon juice
Liquids and Sweeteners
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 4 1/2-5 cups water, divided
Instructions
- Puree Strawberries: Use a blender or food processor to puree the strawberries until smooth. Optionally, strain the puree through a fine mesh sieve to remove seeds for a smoother texture.
- Make Simple Syrup: In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine sugar and 2 cups of water. Stir continuously until the sugar dissolves completely and the mixture comes to a boil.
- Cool Syrup: Remove the saucepan from heat and allow the simple syrup to cool to room temperature before proceeding.
- Combine Ingredients: Strain fresh lemon juice through a fine-mesh sieve into a 2-quart pitcher. Add the cooled simple syrup and pureed strawberries, then stir well to combine.
- Refrigerate: Place the mixture in the refrigerator and chill until cold, allowing flavors to meld.
- Adjust and Serve: When ready to serve, add 2 1/2 cups of cold water to the pitcher and stir. Taste the lemonade and add additional water if it is too sweet. Serve over ice for a refreshing drink.
Notes
- For a smoother lemonade, strain the strawberry puree before combining with other ingredients.
- You can substitute part of the granulated sugar with honey or agave syrup for a different sweetness profile.
- Adjust the amount of water added based on your preferred sweetness and tartness balance.
- To make it fizzy, add sparkling water right before serving.
- Keep refrigerated and consume within 2-3 days for best freshness.
