Fresh Strawberry Lemonade is the most refreshing summer beverage! Full of tart lemons, sweet strawberries and a simple syrup, this is the drink you’ll want to keep making all summer long.
Planning a backyard bbq this summer? This Strawberry Lemonade is the perfect compliment to your favorite summer meal, like Spice Rubbed Grilled Tri Tip, Grilled Zucchini Recipe and Garlic Bread.
The Best Strawberry Lemonade Recipe
Picture this: You’re rocking on your porch, watching the sun slowly dip down below the horizon. The kids are playing happily in the yard and you are sipping on the most delicious and refreshing beverage you’ve ever had. This is summer. That beverage is my sweet and tangy Strawberry Lemonade.
Is pink lemonade the same as strawberry lemonade?
I suppose you could call this pink lemonade if you wanted to , since essentially the strawberries do create that sweet pink color. But usually pink lemonade is simply colored with red food dye, and occasionally with cranberries or raspberries. But the reason pink lemonade tastes sweeter is actually psychological. The brain sees pink/reddish foods as sweeter, and yellow foods as sour.
How to make Strawberry Lemonade
- Start by making a simple strawberry syrup. Boil water and sugar in a pot on the stove and stir until the sugar is dissolved. Add some sliced strawberries and let them melt down a bit, smashing them into the syrup as they soften.
- Strain the syrup through a mesh strainer into a 1 gallon pitcher to remove the pulp and seeds. Then pour in lemon juice and stir together.
- To make this a boozy drink, add 1-2 cups of vodka. For the non-alcoholic version, skip this step.
- Fill the pitcher with cold water. Add ice if you like, but I usually like to just add ice to the serving glasses. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
HOW TO STORE HOMEMADE LEMONADE
For optimal flavor, it’s best to keep lemonade in a pitcher with a lid. If properly stored in the fridge, it should last 7-10 days. Any longer and the flavor can start to change and become bitter. Remove any large pieces of fruit before storing as they tend to become mushy and will alter the flavor as the lemonade sits.
Serving Suggestions
Pour strawberry lemonade over ice in chilled glasses. Add some sliced strawberries and a lemon slice for garnish, either on the rim of the glass or mixed in. If you’re feeling extra fancy, dip the glass rim in lemon juice, then white sugar.
More summer drink recipes you’ll love:
Strawberry Lemonade
Ingredients
Simple Syrup:
- 1 cup water
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 1 cup sliced strawberries stems removed
Lemonade:
- 2 cups lemon juice 5-6 large lemons
- 1 cup sliced strawberries stems removed
- water to fill the pitcher
Boozy Version:
- 1-2 cups vodka
Instructions
- To make the simple syrup, put the water and sugar in a small saucepan over medium heat. Bring to a boil, stirring often.
- Once the sugar has dissolved, add 1 cup of strawberries and mash into the syrup once they soften. Pour through a strainer to remove pulp and seeds.
- Pour the simple strawberry syrup and fresh lemon juice into a 1 gallon pitcher.
- Fill the pitcher with cold water.
- To serve, pour over ice in a glass and garnish with a lemon slice or strawberry and add a few sliced strawberries or lemons to the glass.
- To make this a boozy beverage, add 1-2 cups of vodka to the pitcher before filling with cold water.
Notes
Nutrition
Nazneen says
July 10, 2019 at 3:19 amJust love the recipe 😍
Kristin says
July 15, 2019 at 9:42 amThank you Nazneen!