By Sam 26 Comments
This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Please read my disclosure policy.
Jump to RecipeJump to Video
Homemade Strawberry Lemonade isn’t just refreshing, it’s also incredibly simple to make! This easy recipe can be prepped and ready with just 4 ingredients in under 10 minutes.Recipe includes a how-to video!
The Best Summer Drink Recipe
Today’s strawberry lemonade is simple, refreshing, and full of fresh strawberry and lemon flavor. It takes just a few minutes to make and delivers a perfectly balanced (and perfect for summer!) drink. As with my lemonade recipe and sweet tea, we start with a simple syrup, which not only gives a smooth flavor, but it also ensures the sugar is fully incorporated (no more stirring to make sure it hasn’t settled to the bottom!). Then on to the strawberries.
I experimented with multiple methods to get the most strawberry flavor for this lemonade, from simply pureeing the berries, to roasting or cooking them into a syrup on the stove. Every one of my taste testers liked the lemonade with the pureed, uncooked berries best–no complex steps or concoctions needed. Don’t you love it when things are easy?
This strawberry lemonade goes great with grilled or spicy foods, or you can simply enjoy it after a long day in the sun. I personally love serving it alongside tortilla chips and homemade salsa or alongside a warm funnel cake!
What You Need
The great thing about making homemade strawberry lemonade is that you can control the sweetness level; if your berries are extra sweet or you simply prefer a less sweet drink, just use less simple syrup! Here’s what you need:
- Strawberries. Fresh picked, sun-ripened summer berries will give you the BEST strawberry flavor, but you can certainly use grocery store berries if that’s all you can find.
- Lemon juice. You probably already know I’m going to recommend fresh-squeezed lemon juice…but bottled can work in a pinch. I really recommend fresh though!
- Sugar. Granulated sugar works just fine. I haven’t experimented with making this with any artificial or alternative sweeteners and can’t say for sure how much you’d need and how it would turn out. If you do, please let me know how it goes!
SAM’S TIP: I recommend adding additional berries and lemon slices to your strawberry lemonade pitcher for an extra burst of flavor and color.
Remember, this is just an overview of the ingredients I used and why. For the full recipe please scroll down to the bottom of the post!
How to Make Strawberry Lemonade
- Heat 1 cup each of sugar and water over medium low heat until the sugar dissolves, then set this aside.
- Puree the strawberries, remaining sugar, and ½ cup water, then pour this through a fine-mesh sieve into a pitcher.
- Stir in the lemon juice, simple syrup, and remaining water.
- Add additional berries or lemon slices as desired, then pour over ice.
SAM’S TIP: I prefer my strawberry lemonade to be smooth, but if you like the pulp and seeds, simply skip the straining step and add the berry puree right into the pitcher!
Frequently Asked Questions
Are strawberry lemonade and pink lemonade the same thing?
No. Pink lemonade is simply classic lemonade that’s been tinted pink, typically with food coloring or sometimes a small amount of fruit juice.
Strawberry lemonade has a distinct fruity strawberry flavor, and the color will vary depending on the ripeness of the berries that you use. If you can get your hands on juicy, freshly picked, local strawberries, you’ll have a lemonade that’s much richer in color than if you use supermarket berries.
Can I use frozen strawberries?
You can, but their flavor will probably not be as good as ripe, in-season strawberries. You’ll need to thaw them first, and once you do, they will be pretty juicy (I talk about this in my macerated strawberries post), so you may not need to add as much water when pureeing them.
As with my strawberry frosting, strawberry cream cheese pie, and just about any other strawberry recipe out there, fresh, sun-ripened, hand-picked berries are always best!
Can I double this recipe?
Yes! This recipe can be doubled, tripled, quadrupled–you name it! It’s great for cookouts and summer picnics and can be made in advance.
If you’re interested in spiking your lemonade, vodka, gin, or white rum would all be great options!
Enjoy!
Let’s bake together!I’ll be walking you through all the steps in my written recipe andvideobelow! If you try this recipe, be sure to tag me onInstagram, and you can also find me onYouTubeandFacebook
Strawberry Lemonade
An easy and refreshing Strawberry Lemonade recipe that can be prepped in under ten minutes!
This recipe makes ½ gallon but can be doubled.
Includes a how-to video!
5 from 14 votes
Course: Drinks, summer recipes
Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes
Cook Time: 3 minutes minutes
Total Time: 8 minutes minutes
Servings: 8 8 oz glasses
Calories: 119kcal
Ingredients
- 6 cups (1.4 L) water divided
- 1 cup (200 g) + 1 Tablespoon granulated sugar divided
- 1 cup (236 ml) lemon juice¹ seeds removed
- 1 ½ cups (210 g) ripe strawberries quartered, plus additional for decoration if desired
- Additional quartered strawberries and sliced lemons for garnish optional
Recommended Equipment
Instructions
Prepare simple syrup first by combining 1 cup (236ml) water and 1 cup (200g) sugar in a small saucepan. Place over medium/low heat and stir frequently until sugar is dissolved. Set aside.
6 cups (1.4 L) water, 1 cup (200 g) + 1 Tablespoon granulated sugar
Combine strawberries, ½ cup (120ml) of water, and 1 Tablespoon of granulated sugar in blender and blend until strawberries are completely pureed.
1 ½ cups (210 g) ripe strawberries
Pour strawberry puree through a fine mesh sieve² into pitcher and use a spatula to press/work as much strawberry juice through as possible. Discard remaining pulp/seeds.
Add lemon juice and simple syrup to pitcher.
1 cup (236 ml) lemon juice¹
Add remaining 4 ½ cups (1065ml) water and stir well. If desired add additional quartered strawberries and sliced lemons to pitcher for added flavor and decoration.
Additional quartered strawberries and sliced lemons for garnish
Pour lemonade over ice and serve or chill and then stir again before serving.
Notes
¹Fresh squeeze preferred, but bottled lemon juice will also work
²I like my strawberry lemonade to be nice and smooth and I don’t like pulpy, seed-y bits of strawberry in my lemonade, which is why I use the strainer. If you don’t mind the texture, feel free to skip the straining and leave this in your lemonade!
Tools I used for this recipe:
Nutrition
Serving: 18 oz serving | Calories: 119kcal | Carbohydrates: 31g | Sodium: 8mg | Potassium: 76mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 29g | Vitamin C: 29.7mg | Calcium: 100mg
Nutritional information is based on third-party calculations and should be considered an estimate only. Actual nutritional content will vary based upon brands used, measuring methods, cooking method, portion sizes, and more.
Tried this recipe? Show me on Instagram!Mention @SugarSpun_Sam or tag #sugarspunrun!
Related Recipes
Reader Interactions
Comments
Brenda
This recipe is unbelievably delicious. The perfect summer drink. I made it exactly as written and wouldn’t change a thing. I will make it again and again. Thank you!Reply
Emily @ Sugar Spun Run
It really is perfect for summer! Thanks for trying our recipe and coming back to leave a review. We really appreciate it! ❤️
Reply
Frmgrl2
So perfect! Proportions are exactly right. After blending my partially thawed strawberries, I skipped the straining and poured it into my pitcher along with the rest. We enjoyed this before Easter dinner and will be making this again and again.
Thank you!Reply
Sam
I’m so glad everyone enjoyed it so much! 🙂
Reply
Marie Rife
i can’t wait to try this! I love all your recipes that I have made so far! I will be making this for a bridal shower, so trying to prep as much as possible. So, how far in advance can this be made?
Sam
Hi Marie! I think it would be fine to make it 3 days in advance. 🙂
Misty R Batten
so exactly how much does this recipe make?
Sam
Hi Misty! I typically try to put this information in the box right above the recipe. This makes about 1/2 gallon. ☺️
Rikookie
This was so good and refreshing! The perfect poolside snack 😀Reply
Julia
Wonderful recipe! We just picked 12 quarts of raspberries so I made raspberry lemonade! I plan on trying a few of your other raspberry recipes too!Reply
Emily @ Sugar Spun Run
Yum–that sounds delicious Julia! Enjoy ❤
Reply
Miriam
So delicious!Reply
Emily @ Sugar Spun Run
We’re so happy you love it, Miriam!
Reply
Hannah
Hello! I was wondering if I could use Stevia instead of regular sugar? Do you think it will taste weird?Reply
Sam
Hi Hannah! As long as you like the taste of stevia it should work just fine. 🙂
Reply
Lexi
GreatReply
Rachel D Williams
Loved it made it but I added tequila and made strawberry long island ice teaReply
Sam
Sounds delicious! I am glad you enjoyed it. 🙂
Reply
Brooke
I was expecting the worst but was pleasantly surprised!! This is the best strawberry lemonade I’ve ever had and my family loved it too! Not sure I’ll ever be able to go back to the store bought stuff, thanks!Reply
Sam
I am so glad you enjoyed the lemonade, Brooke! 🙂
Reply
Deb
Can you use frozen strawberries?
Sugar Spun Run
Yes, that will be fine, Deb! Enjoy! 🙂
Selah Howard
Hi there!Tried this recipe the other day… turned out great! It was my first time trying a from-scratch juice, was definitely pleasantly surprised to taste the sweet and tartness of the combination. Really was simple to make and worth every second of the time. Thanks for the great recipe!
Reply
Sam
I am so glad you enjoyed the lemonade, Selah! I am a huge fan of the tart and sweet combination. 🙂
Reply
Laura
Hi Sam, I have made this and it’s delicious. I wanted to make ahead for a wedding while strawberries are available. Can the strawberry syrup be made and froze then add the rest when ready to use?
Sam
Hi Laura! I haven’t tried it but I think it could work. ☺️
5 from 14 votes (4 ratings without comment)
