Country-Style Fresh Strawberry Lemonade
A juicy, sweet, and tart strawberry lemonade recipe full of fresh strawberries and lemons!
Watch me make this strawberry lemonade recipe from start to finish!
We’ve been in full Spring cleaning mode over here! I’ve cleaned and organized just about every drawer and cabinet in this house, refreshed some interior paint, revamped two massive rock plant beds, made numerous trips to Lowe’s, and successfully planted all of my potted shrubs, trees, and flowers.
My hubby and I completely crushed it, and we’re patting ourselves on the back! Especially since we were quoted 3K to have the landscaping done. Pshhhh!!
And now I’m sitting here with an ice pack on my shoulder and my right wrist braced and barely able to move! And he’s lying in bed with a heated rice pack on his lower back with his legs elevated on a wedge!
All we can do is look at each other and laugh. Ahhh, the joys of being in your 40s and thinking you still have the same bounce-back as your 20s!
But hey, a win is a win, and we did it!!! Old, busted up, and all!!
We’ve decided to take it easy for a while, so we’ve just been lounging by the pool, trying different grilled dinner recipes, and enjoying an array of mixed drinks in the evening. I’ve been on a lemonade kick, and since this Spring weather has soared to the high 80s a few times, homemade strawberry lemonade is in rotation!!
Ohhh, you are gonna love this recipe!
What I love about this strawberry lemonade recipe
This recipe begins with a fresh strawberry simple syrup and concludes with a splash of pure lemon extract and pure strawberry extract to enhance those flavors even further.
That’s the secret, although it’s optional.
I like my strawberry lemonade to be sweet and tart, with a noticeable strawberry presence. This strawberry lemonade is the ONE!!
You could even substitute the water with sparkling soda, fruit essence water, or make a hard lemonade by adding a splash of alcohol, but we’ll get into that later.
Is strawberry lemonade recipe just pink lemonade?
I used to think pink lemonade was just strawberry lemonade. Typically, pink lemonade is simply regular lemonade with red food coloring. If a natural pink color is desired, raspberries, cherries, or cranberries are typically used. Read about the history of pink lemonade.
Or for the best pink color, try adding a few dropperfuls of beet juice! Look at how pretty and natural this electric pink lemonade is; there’s no beet flavor at all.
What You’ll Need To Make Strawberry Lemonade
INGREDIENTS
- Fresh Strawberries – This recipe features a whopping pound of sweet, juicy strawberries!
- Water – I prefer to use purified water for the best taste.
- Granulated sugar- Sugar helps sweeten everything up! A sweet and tart strawberry lemonade is amazingly refreshing!!
- Lemon zest- Lemon zest adds a stronger zest to this strawberry lemonade.
- Fresh Lemon Juice– Fresh lemon juice adds a delicious and authentic lemon flavor for the best lemonade.
- Pure lemon extract- Add another layer of lemon flavor
- Pure strawberry extract – Bumps up the strawberry flavor for a stronger, refreshing taste.
- Garnishes: Lemon slices, strawberry slices, and fresh mint make perfect garnishes.
How to make Strawberry Lemonade Recipe
INSTRUCTIONS
- Add strawberries into a blender and blend into a puree.
- Pour puree into a large saucepan and add water, sugar, and lemon zest.
- Heat on low heat while stirring, just until sugar has dissolved and the mixture has reached a barely simmering point. (Do not boil)
- Let it simmer gently for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Remove the mixture from the heat and allow it to cool.
- Double-strain the mixture into the serving pitcher. I like to use a fine-mesh straining bag to ensure that no fine solids get through. This will create super clear lemonade that won’t separate or become cloudy. )
- Stir in fresh lemon juice and remaining cups of cold water (7-8 cups)
- Stir in lemon extract and strawberry extract.
- Refrigerate until super cold!
- Stir before serving and serve over ice.
- Garnish if desired.
The BEST Strawberry Lemonade Recipe Secrets & Tips
- Use fresh, ripe ingredients – use fresh lemon juice, fresh lemon zest, and ripe strawberries for the best-tasting lemonade with a delicious flavor and gorgeous color.
- Use purified water—If possible, avoid using tap water, as it may have an unpleasant aftertaste. I usually just grab a few gallons of alkaline water from the store when I make strawberry lemonade. It makes for a pure and smooth homemade lemonade.
- Use a fine-straining bag– Nut milk/ juicing bags are perfect for straining. It gets all the super fine pulp that a regular sieve misses (do a comparison, and you’ll see how superior a nut bag is). This will ensure your lemonade is clear and smooth, with minimal separation.
- Serve it cold! Room temperature lemonade is ick! Cold homemade lemonade is where it’s at! Be sure to serve it over ice! It’s plenty sweet to compensate for the melting ice.
- Add garnishes! Garnishes are always fun! Frozen strawberries and or a mixture of berries create wonderful substitutions for ice cubes! Consider using lemon or lime slices, sliced strawberries, mint, or basil to garnish this strawberry lemonade.
- Make Strawberry lemonade ice cubes- If you’re worried about watering down the lemonade (which you shouldn’t because it’s guzzled down so quickly), make lemonade ice cubes! Make a double batch and pour half into ice cube molds. It creates beautiful, slushy textures as it melts without water in the lemonade.
Make it Boozy!!
It’s easy to turn homemade lemonade into a refreshing adult cocktail by adding 1-2 ounces of your favorite chilled alcohol.
- Vodka: Vodka has a flavor that’s easy to mix with many things, so it’s usually my go-to for lemonade. About 1-2 oz per glass still allows the strawberry and lemon flavor to shine through.
- Rum: White rum is wonderful in strawberry lemonade and complements the sweetness perfectly.
- Gin: If you want to add herbal notes, try a splash of gin. Just don’t overdo it here, or you’ll overpower the flavor of the strawberries and lemon.
- Prosecco, Champagne, or your favorite white wine – I love adding Prosecco to brunch, strawberry lemonade, and using sparkling water! It’s a nice variation from mimosa.
- Tequila– Turn this strawberry lemonade into a tasty margarita with a splash of tequila!
Lemonade Garnish Ideas
Garnishes can take your homemade strawberry lemonade to the next level! It’s almost impossible to resist a garnished chilled glass of frosty strawberry lemonade. Here are a few garnish ideas.
- Make a Strawberry rose- Here’s how to make a strawberry rose
- Sliced strawberries (chilled or frozen)
- Lemon/ Lime slices or wedges
- Citrus zest curls
- Fresh herb sprigs (mint, rosemary, and basil)
- Organic Colorful Edible flowers (roses, pansies, violets)
- Cucumber slices
- Fruit juice ice cubes
- Fresh or frozen mixed berries
Common Questions
Can I decrease/ substitute the sugar? Yes, you can reduce the sugar in the strawberry mixture or substitute some of it with honey, agave, or your preferred granulated white sugar substitute sweetener.
Can I use limes to make strawberry limeade? Sure can!
Can I use bottled juice? No. Just kidding. If you’re in a pinch, bottled lemon juice will work, but fresh lemon juice will take your world to the next level!
Want more lemonade recipes? Check these out!
Get the Recipe:
Fresh Strawberry Lemonade
Ingredients
- 1 lb strawberries, washed and hulled
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 9 cups cold water, divided
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- 1½ cups fresh lemon juice (the juice of about 10-12 lemons)
- ¼ teaspoon pure lemon extract
- ¼ teaspoon pure strawberry extract
Instructions
- Add strawberries into a blender and blend into a puree.1 lb strawberries, washed and hulled
- Pour puree into a large saucepan and add 2 cups of water, sugar, and lemon zest.2 cups granulated sugar, 9 cups cold water, divided, 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- Heat on low heat while stirring, just until the sugar has dissolved and the mixture has reached a light simmer. (do not boil)
- Let simmer gently for about 5 minutes while stirring.
- Remove from heat and allow the mixture to cool.
- Double-strain the mixture into the serving pitcher. (I like to use a fine mesh straining bag to ensure no fine solids get through. This will create super clear lemonade that won't separate or become cloudy. )
- Stir in fresh lemon juice and the remaining cups of cold water. (stir in the water a cup at a time while tasting until you have your desired sweetness. You may need more or less water to suite your tastebuds)1½ cups fresh lemon juice
- Stir in lemon extract and strawberry extract.¼ teaspoon pure lemon extract, ¼ teaspoon pure strawberry extract
- Refrigerate until super cold.
- Stir before serving. Serve over ice. Garnish if desired.
This looks delicious Was wondering if you ever tried to make strawberry dragon fruit lemonade? Dunkin has it out, but looking for a homemade version with less “extras” in it. Maybe even a lower sugar version. Looking forward to seeing if you ever made this!
Made this today and it was so refreshing. Great drink for these humid NY temps!