Sweet, tangy, and wonderfully refreshing, this homemade Strawberry Lemonade is the perfect drink for hot summer days. Fresh strawberries give classic lemonade a delicious fruity twist and its naturally beautiful pink colour.
Made with just four simple ingredients, this easy summer drink comes together in minutes. Serve it chilled with plenty of ice, fresh strawberry slices, and lemon rounds.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Prepared with fresh strawberries and lemon juice
- Sweet, tangy, and refreshing
- Ready in just 10 minutes
- Naturally vegan and gluten-free
- Perfect for summer parties, picnics, and family gatherings
Ingredients You’ll Need
Fresh Strawberries
Use ripe, sweet strawberries for the best flavour and a naturally vibrant colour.
Lemon Juice
Freshly squeezed lemon juice gives the lemonade a brighter and fresher taste than bottled juice.
Sugar
Sugar balances the tartness of the lemons. You can adjust the amount according to the sweetness of your strawberries.
Cold Water
Use chilled water so the lemonade is ready to serve immediately.
How to Make Strawberry Lemonade
- Wash the strawberries, remove the green tops, and cut them in half.
- Add the strawberries, 2 tablespoons of sugar, and 1 cup of water to a blender.
- Blend until completely smooth.
- Strain the strawberry mixture through a fine-mesh sieve if you prefer a smoother lemonade.
- Pour the strawberry purée into a large pitcher.
- Add the freshly squeezed lemon juice, remaining sugar, and remaining cold water.
- Stir thoroughly until the sugar has completely dissolved.
- Taste and adjust the sweetness or lemon juice if needed.
- Add plenty of ice cubes and garnish with fresh strawberry and lemon slices.
- Serve immediately and enjoy!
Recipe Tips
- Choose fully ripe strawberries for the sweetest flavour.
- Roll the lemons firmly on the counter before cutting to help release more juice.
- Start with less sugar and add more after tasting.
- Strain the strawberry purée if you do not want seeds in your drink.
- Chill the strawberries, lemons, and water beforehand for an instantly cold drink.
- Add sparkling water just before serving for a fizzy strawberry lemonade.
Make It Ahead
Prepare the strawberry lemonade without adding ice and refrigerate it in a covered pitcher. Add the ice and fruit slices just before serving so the lemonade does not become diluted.
Storage
Store leftover strawberry lemonade in a covered pitcher in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Stir well before serving because the strawberry purée may settle at the bottom.
Strawberry Lemonade Recipe Card
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 10 minutes
Course: Drinks
Cuisine: American
Servings: 8 glasses
Diet: Vegan, Gluten-Free
Ingredients
- 1 cup fresh strawberries, hulled and halved
- 1 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice, about 6–8 medium lemons
- 1 cup granulated sugar, divided
- 6 cups cold water, divided
- Ice cubes, as required
For Garnishing
- Fresh strawberry slices
- Lemon slices
Instructions
- Place the strawberries, 2 tablespoons of the sugar, and 1 cup of water in a blender.
- Blend until smooth.
- Strain the strawberry purée through a fine-mesh sieve, if desired.
- Transfer the strawberry mixture to a large pitcher.
- Add the lemon juice, remaining sugar, and remaining 5 cups of cold water.
- Stir until the sugar is completely dissolved.
- Taste and adjust the sweetness if necessary.
- Pour over ice and garnish with strawberry and lemon slices.
- Serve chilled.
Notes
- The amount of sugar can be adjusted according to the sweetness of the strawberries and the tartness of the lemons.
- For a fizzy version, replace 2 cups of water with chilled sparkling water or lemon-lime soda.
- Add sparkling water immediately before serving.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use frozen strawberries?
Yes. Allow the frozen strawberries to soften slightly before blending. You may need less ice because frozen fruit will already make the drink cold.
Can I make strawberry lemonade without a blender?
Yes. Finely chop or mash the strawberries with sugar, then press the mixture through a sieve before adding it to the lemonade.
Why should I strain the strawberry purée?
Straining removes the strawberry seeds and pulp, producing a smoother drink. You can skip this step if you prefer a thicker, more natural texture.
Can I use honey instead of sugar?
Yes. Replace the sugar with honey according to taste. Mix it with slightly warm water first so it dissolves easily.