Ingredients
Scale
Fruits
- 1 pint fresh ripe strawberries, washed and hulled
- 4–6 fresh lemons (to yield about 1 cup lemon juice and zest)
Sweetener
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar (or honey/agave/stevia as alternatives)
Liquids
- 4 cups cold water (or sparkling water/club soda for fizz)
Other
- Ice cubes for serving
- Optional garnishes: fresh strawberry slices, lemon wheels, fresh mint or basil leaves
Instructions
- Prepare the Strawberries: Wash and hull the fresh strawberries thoroughly. Then, puree them in a blender or mash them with a fork until you achieve your desired texture, whether smooth or slightly chunky.
- Juice the Lemons: Roll the lemons firmly on a counter to loosen the juice. Slice and juice them using a handheld juicer or reamer. Strain the juice through a fine mesh sieve to remove seeds and excess pulp for a smoother lemonade.
- Mix Sugar and Water: In a small bowl, combine the granulated sugar with a small amount of warm water. Stir until the sugar fully dissolves, creating a simple syrup that will blend evenly into the lemonade.
- Combine Ingredients: In a large pitcher, add the strawberry puree, freshly squeezed lemon juice, simple syrup, and cold water. Stir well to ensure all ingredients are fully incorporated.
- Chill and Serve: Add plenty of ice cubes to the pitcher and refrigerate the lemonade for at least one hour. This allows the flavors to meld and the drink to become refreshingly cold. Serve garnished with strawberry slices, lemon wheels, or fresh herbs as desired.
Notes
- Use ripe, in-season strawberries for the best sweetness and vibrant color.
- Adjust the sweetness gradually by tasting as you go to find your perfect balance.
- Chill lemons and water before mixing to keep the lemonade crisp and cold longer.
- Strain strawberry pulp and lemon seeds for a smoother drink if preferred.
- Add ice cubes just before serving to prevent dilution.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Beverage
- Method: No-cook
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup (240 ml)
- Calories: 90
- Sugar: 20g
- Sodium: 5mg
- Fat: 0g
- Saturated Fat: 0g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 24g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
Keywords: strawberry lemonade, summer drink, refreshing beverage, fruit drink, natural ingredients, homemade lemonade, summer refresher