Strawberry Lemonade
A delightful and refreshing twist on classic lemonade, Strawberry Lemonade blends the tangy sweetness of fresh lemons with the luscious flavor of ripe strawberries, creating a vibrant and perfectly balanced summer drink.
What is this drink?
Strawberry Lemonade is the beloved summer upgrade to classic lemonade — fresh muddled or pureed strawberries blended with lemon juice, sugar, and water to create a vibrant pink drink that tastes as beautiful as it looks. It's a staple of warm-weather outdoor dining across America.
Why you'll love it
The combination is brilliantly simple and satisfying — the sweet, berry-rich strawberries soften the lemon's tartness into something perfectly balanced and refreshingly fruity that neither component achieves alone.
When to serve
Ideal at summer parties, outdoor lunches, picnics, farmers markets, or any warm-weather occasion where a vibrant, crowd-pleasing non-alcoholic drink is needed.
Pro tip
Use the ripest, reddest strawberries you can find — peak-season strawberries are dramatically sweeter and more flavorful than off-season ones, and that difference directly impacts the final drink.
Fresh Ripe Strawberries
The star ingredient — muddled or pureed fresh strawberries provide the natural berry sweetness, vibrant color, and fruity depth that defines this drink.
Fresh Lemon Juice
The essential tart backbone — freshly squeezed lemon provides the bright acidity that balances the strawberries' sweetness into a perfectly refreshing drink.
Simple Syrup
Balances both the strawberry and lemon flavors — adjust the amount based on the natural sweetness of your strawberries.
Swap Options
Frozen strawberries work well outside of peak season — thaw and drain before using. Add basil to the muddling step for a sophisticated herbal twist. Replace still water with sparkling water for a fizzy version. A shot of vodka or light rum makes an excellent adult spiked strawberry lemonade.
Prepare strawberry puree
In a small bowl or directly in a glass, muddle 0.5 cup (75g) hulled and sliced fresh strawberries until they break down into a pulpy puree. You can use the back of a spoon or a muddler.
Tips:
- •Ensure strawberries are ripe for maximum flavor and sweetness. For a smoother lemonade, you can blend the strawberries and then strain the puree.
Combine with lemon juice and sugar
To the strawberry puree, add 0.25 cup (60 ml) fresh lemon juice and 2 tablespoons granulated sugar. Stir well until the sugar is dissolved. Taste and adjust sugar if you prefer it sweeter or tarter.
Tips:
- •Freshly squeezed lemon juice makes a significant difference in taste. Adjust sugar to suit your preference and the sweetness of the strawberries.
Add water and ice
Fill a tall glass with 1 serving of ice. Pour the strawberry-lemon mixture over the ice, then top with 0.75 cup (180 ml) cold water. Stir gently to combine.
Tips:
- •Use cold water to keep the drink refreshing immediately.
Garnish and serve
Garnish with 1 lemon slice and 1 strawberry, if desired. Serve immediately.
Tips:
- •Serve chilled for the best experience. The vibrant color makes for an attractive presentation.
- For a sparkling strawberry lemonade, use sparkling water instead of still water.
- To make a larger batch, simply multiply the ingredients and chill in a pitcher.
- You can freeze leftover strawberry puree in ice cube trays for future use.
- Add a few fresh mint leaves to the muddling step for a hint of herbaceous freshness.
Different ways to make this drink your own
Strawberry Basil Lemonade
Add four to five fresh basil leaves to the muddling step alongside the strawberries for a sophisticated, herbaceous lemonade with a fragrant, slightly peppery dimension. The basil and strawberry combination is surprisingly elegant and works beautifully for adult gatherings.
Sparkling Strawberry Lemonade
Replace the still water with sparkling water or soda water added at the last moment before serving for a fizzy, effervescent strawberry lemonade. The bubbles lift the strawberry aroma and make the drink feel considerably more festive and celebratory.
Spiked Strawberry Lemonade
Add a 50ml shot of vodka or light rum to an individual serving for an adult version that tastes like summer in a glass. Vodka keeps the strawberry flavour clean and bright; rum adds a subtle warmth. A crowd-pleasing party cocktail for outdoor summer events.
Tools that make this drink come together
Muddler or Fork
Used to press fresh strawberries to release their juice and colour into the lemonade base. A muddler works most efficiently, but a fork pressed firmly into the berries in a jug produces an excellent result for home use.
Citrus Juicer
A manual or electric citrus press extracts maximum fresh lemon juice efficiently. For strawberry lemonade, freshly squeezed lemon juice is non-negotiable — the bright, sharp acidity is what balances the sweetness of the strawberries.
Fine Mesh Strainer
Strain the muddled strawberry mixture through a fine sieve to remove seeds and pulp for a cleaner, clearer pink lemonade. For a more rustic, textured drink, strain minimally to leave some strawberry pieces in the finished liquid.
Can't Find These?
A fork pressed firmly on halved strawberries releases plenty of juice. Hand-squeeze lemons over a bowl, catching pips. A regular kitchen sieve strains the mixture. Any large jug holds the batch. Strawberry lemonade requires very little specialist equipment.
The right glass makes a real difference
Tall Highball Glass or Mason Jar
Strawberry lemonade is served in a tall, transparent glass generously packed with ice — the transparency showcases the drink's vivid, beautiful pink colour to full effect. A mason jar with a wide metal straw has become the signature contemporary vessel for this drink, particularly at outdoor markets and summer events. A strawberry slice on the rim and a lemon wheel inside the glass give it an irresistible, summery presentation.
Alternatives
Any tall, transparent glass is appropriate. A wide-mouthed wine glass gives a more generous, relaxed presentation. A glass bottle with a swing-top lid is practical for taking strawberry lemonade on a picnic. Avoid opaque or dark glasses that hide the beautiful pink colour.
Perfect food pairings to complete the experience
Scones with Strawberry Jam
Freshly baked scones with strawberry jam and clotted cream create a delightful echo of the strawberry lemonade's primary ingredient. A naturally cohesive, summery pairing for an afternoon tea or garden party.
Grilled Halloumi with Strawberry Salsa
Seared halloumi with a fresh strawberry, mint, and balsamic salsa provides a sophisticated, savoury counterpoint to the sweetness of the strawberry lemonade. The shared strawberry ingredient ties the food and drink together elegantly.
Pavlova with Fresh Strawberries
A crisp meringue pavlova with whipped cream and strawberries is the ultimate summer dessert to serve alongside strawberry lemonade. Both celebrate the strawberry at its seasonal best and make for a beautifully cohesive summer spread.
Chicken Salad Sandwiches
Light, well-seasoned chicken salad sandwiches on soft white or wholegrain bread provide a satisfying, savoury companion for strawberry lemonade without competing with its fruity sweetness. A classic summer picnic combination.
Prep in advance for effortless serving
Make Strawberry Simple Syrup Ahead
Combine muddled strawberries, sugar, and a small amount of water in a saucepan, bring to a gentle simmer, and strain through a fine sieve. This strawberry syrup keeps refrigerated for one week and allows individual glasses of strawberry lemonade to be assembled in moments — just combine with fresh lemon juice and water to order.
Juice Lemons in Advance
Squeeze and strain lemon juice up to two hours before serving. Store covered in the refrigerator. Beyond two hours, fresh lemon juice begins to lose its vibrant character — still usable but noticeably less bright than freshly squeezed.
Prepare a Batch Pitcher
Combine all ingredients except ice in a large pitcher and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. The strawberry colour and flavour infuses the lemonade more deeply overnight. Add ice and stir only when serving — pre-iced pitchers leave the lemonade diluted and watery.
Freeze Strawberry Cubes
Blend ripe strawberries, strain through a sieve, and freeze the purée in ice cube trays. Use strawberry ice cubes in the pitcher — as they melt, they strengthen the strawberry flavour and colour rather than diluting the drink. A beautiful practical touch.
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