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Homemade Strawberry Lemonade Recipe

4.4 from 185 reviews

Homemade Strawberry Lemonade is a fresh, fruity twist on classic lemonade with ripe strawberries and tangy lemons blended into a refreshing summer drink that is sweetened naturally with honey or sugar. This easy-to-make beverage is perfect for hot days, backyard gatherings, or as a delightful mocktail base, offering a vibrant, refreshing flavor that captures the essence of sunshine in every glass.

Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients

  • 1 pound strawberries, washed and halved (about 3 cups)
  • 1 lemon, washed and quartered
  • ½ to ¾ cup honey or sugar, adjusted to taste
  • 6 cups cold water

Optional Garnishes

  • Ice
  • Strawberry slices
  • Lemon slices
  • Fresh herbs (mint, lemon verbena, lemon balm, or basil)

Instructions

  1. Blend the ingredients: Place the halved strawberries, quartered lemon, your chosen sweetener (honey or sugar), and 2 cups of water into a blender. Blend everything until the mixture is smooth and evenly combined.
  2. Strain the mixture: Pour the blended strawberry and lemon mixture through a fine mesh strainer into a large pitcher, pressing gently on the pulp with a spoon or spatula to extract as much juice as possible, removing seeds and excess pulp for a smooth lemonade.
  3. Add remaining water: Pour the remaining 4 cups of water through the same strainer into the pitcher to help extract additional flavor from any leftover solids and to dilute the lemonade to the preferred strength.
  4. Taste and adjust sweetness: Sample the lemonade and add more honey or sugar if desired, stirring well to dissolve, or add extra lemon juice if you prefer more tartness.
  5. Serve chilled: Fill glasses with ice, pour the strawberry lemonade over the ice, and garnish with fresh strawberry slices, lemon wheels, and a few sprigs of fresh herbs such as mint or basil for an aromatic, vibrant finish.

Notes

  • Use fresh, in-season strawberries for the best flavor and color.
  • Blending the whole lemon with rind included enhances the citrus complexity but ensures your blender can handle the peel.
  • Adjust the sweetener based on the natural sweetness of strawberries and personal taste preferences.
  • For a sparkling variation, substitute half the water with sparkling water for a fizzy effect.
  • Leftover lemonade can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days in an airtight container but may lose some brightness over time.
  • Frozen strawberries can be used but should be thawed slightly before blending to ensure smooth texture.
  • Consider adding fresh herbs like basil or mint directly into the blender for an infused flavor.
  • For a fun twist, freeze lemonade in popsicle molds to make refreshing summer popsicles.
  • This recipe yields about 6 servings.

Keywords: strawberry lemonade, summer drink, fresh lemonade, strawberry recipe, refreshing drink, homemade lemonade