The lazy days of summer are always better with a nice tall glass of cold fresh homemade strawberry lemonade… adding blended fresh strawberries takes it to a whole new level!
Fresh Homemade Strawberry Lemonade is one of my favorite drinks, no matter the time of year. We live in a place where lemons are plentiful and affordable year round so we can enjoy fresh squeezed lemonade pretty often but this recipe doesn’t need fresh lemons or fresh berries – it can be made with bottled lemon juice and frozen berries and it is just as good! This lemonade is less tart and more sweet – an anytime favorite for the whole family.
How to make Fresh Homemade Strawberry Lemonade
But first, a note about Simple Syrup:
When I first started making lemonade, I didn’t know about simple syrup and had I known about it, I probably still wouldn’t have seen the point. My method used to be to juice some lemons, throw the juice and some water and some sugar into a pitcher and call it good. Although it was drinkable, it wasn’t smooth. Simple syrup changes that. Simple syrup is good stuff and super easy. Don’t skip it in this recipe – you won’t regret it. Promise.
Create a simple syrup by pouring one cup of water into a small saucepan and adding one cup of sugar. Turn heat to medium-high and stirring constantly, bring to a simmer.
Once the mixture becomes clear, turn off the heat and allow to cool. I like to take it out of the saucepan and pour it into a measuring cup so that it cools faster but this is not a necessary step.
Using an electric citrus juicer, juice the lemons until you have about a cup of lemon juice. This usually takes 5-6 lemons and I like to cut whatever lemon I have left over into slices for garnish.
Alternately, if you don’t have access to fresh lemons you can use store bought bottled lemon juice. You’ll need one cup total. The good news is that if you use bottled lemon juice you don’t have to do the next step!
Since I don’t like seeds in my lemonade, and really because my kids absolutely hate pulp (weirdos), I run the lemon juice through a fine mesh strainer. You can skip this step completely if you choose – just make sure that you remove any seeds!
Clean a pint of strawberries and put them into a blender or a food processor. Those little magic bullet smoothie maker things are great for this! Puree until smooth. This will give you about a cup and a half of puree.
I have also used frozen strawberries, about 2 cups. I thawed them out completely before blending them but they can be swapped without anyone even noticing!
In a large pitcher, combine the simple syrup, lemon juice, strawberry puree and remaining 6 cups of water. Stir until well combined. Serve over ice and garnish with lemon slices. Enjoy!
If you are so inclined, it is also pretty good as a cocktail with some vodka but in the spirit of family-friendliness we’ll just mention it and move on. 🙂
Other Fresh Summer Recipes You May Like:
Small Batch Strawberry Sherbet – deliciously light and refreshing dessert with only four ingredients!
Poppy Seed Dressing for Fruit Salad – a couple of spoonfuls of this simple poppy seed dressing adds the perfect pop to fruit salad.
Watermelon Jerky – a delicious healthy snack that is super easy to make using only fresh watermelon and a dehydrator!
Three Ingredient Fruit Dip – A simple combination of whipped cream cheese, marshmallow fluff and a hint of vanilla are the perfect addition to a fresh fruit plate!
Watermelon Lime Sorbet – a delicious alternative to ice cream on a hot summer day!
Fresh Homemade Strawberry Lemonade
Equipment
- Small food processor or blender
Ingredients
- 1 cup sugar
- 7 cups water divided
- 1 pint strawberries
- 5-6 lemons plus extra for garnish (if desired)
- Ice cubes for serving
Instructions
- Create a simple syrup by pouring one cup of water into a small saucepan and adding one cup of sugar. Turn heat to medium-high and stirring constantly, bring to a simmer.
- Once the water has become clear and all the sugar has dissolved, remove from heat and allow to cool.
- Clean one pint of strawberries and using a food processor or a blender, puree until smooth. Set aside. (Makes about 1 1/2 cups).
- Juice lemons until you have one cup of juice. Strain to remove pulp.
- Cut any remaining lemon into slices for garnish if desired.
- Combine simple syrup, strawberry puree, lemon juice and remaining 6 cups of water in a pitcher. Stir well.
- Serve over ice, garnished with lemon slices if desired.
Nutrition *
* The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator.
Michele Vadnais says
This sounds scrumptious! Strawberry lemonade is one of my favs! On a side note, my kids never wanted pulp either when they were young, so I feel ya!
Rachel Newlon says
I LOVE strawberry lemonade! I am excited to give this recipe a try. Might even add a smidge of vodka for an adult approved beverage! LOL!
crystal says
Perfect summer drink. I just may have to try this for our fourth of July fun
Meghan Kleinschmidt says
This looks delicious! I would strain out the pulp too… Not gonna lie. And yes, vodka would be a perfect adult addition to this.
Donna Lynn Starling says
Love lemonade, do not mide the pulp. Looks very refreshing
Laura says
This looks so delicious! I am definitely going to try this. I don’t mind pulp in my lemonade, so I will skip the straining step but that’s a great tip to know!
Darcy says
Love it, this sounds so delicious! It’s actually quite hard to find frozen lemonade concentrate that doesn’t have corn syrup or artificial sweetener in it. Lemon juice + simple syrup sounds perfect.