The Best Homemade Strawberry Lemonade (video)
Nothing beats a glass of chilled, refreshing lemonade on a hot summer day and this recipe is simply the best! Homemade strawberry lemonade with freshly squeezed lemon juice and pureed strawberries. It’s the ultimate summertime drink! Keep it chilled in the fridge and enjoy all weekend long!
Watch My Lemonade Video Tutorial!
Watch my YouTube strawberry lemonade video tutorial for step-by-step instructions and see how I like to serve it. Plus, more recipe tips! Want to stay up to date on the newest recipes? Make sure to subscribe to my website email list and my YouTube channel and turn on notifications.
Ingredients for Strawberry Lemonade
Here are the main ingredients you’ll need to make the best homemade strawberry lemonade! Find the printable recipe with measurements in the recipe card below.
- Strawberries – fresh strawberries will work best for this recipe; however, frozen berries will also work well if you can’t get your hands on fresh ones.
- Lemons – nothing beats freshly squeezed lemon juice! You can use bottled lemon juice in a pinch, but it won’t be quite the same.
- Sugar – adjust the sugar to taste and add more for a sweeter lemonade.
Supplies & Tools for the Recipe
Need some supplies or tools to make this strawberry lemonade recipe at home? Shop my Amazon Affiliate links for the items I use in my kitchen. Using these links won’t cost you extra and I’ll earn a small commission.
- CuisinArt Food Processor
- Large Drink Dispenser with Stand
- Large Lemonade Pitcher
- Lemon/Citrus Press
- Standing Citrus Press
Easy Lemon Syrup for Sweetness
The best lemonades are always sweetened with a sugar syrup, or simply dissolved sugar. This way, you don’t any granulated sugar in your drink.
- Add the sugar into a small sauce pot. Adjust the sugar to taste. Add ½ cup for mildly sweet lemonade; 1 cup for a sweet lemonade.
- Add the zest of 2 large lemons. Using your fingers, blend together the sugar and lemon zest to activate the lemon oils.
- Pour in water, then bring the syrup over to the stovetop. Heat on medium-high heat, until the sugar is completely dissolved. You do not have to boil it. Allow the syrup to cool in the fridge.
Fresh Lemon Juice is the Best!
Nothing beats freshly squeezed lemon juice when it comes to making strawberry lemonade. The freshness, tartness and flavor are unbeatable. If you’re not able to get fresh lemon juice, bottle juice will work in a pinch.
Slice 10 to 12 lemons in half, then squeeze out the juice into a large measuring cup. Strain the juice through a fine mesh strainer to get rid of any seeds or pulp.
Pureeing the Strawberries
First wash the strawberries, then take off the stems. Place the strawberries into a food processor or a blender and pulse until you have a smooth puree.
Don’t have a blender or processor? Use two large forks or a potato masher to crush the berries. This method won’t give you the same smooth puree, but it will work in a pinch.
How to Make Strawberry Lemonade
You can make this strawberry lemonade in a large pitcher or a standing drink dispenser.
- Drop 1 cup of sliced strawberries and 2 sliced lemons into the bottom of the dispenser/pitcher.
- Add about 2 cups of ice, then pour in the chilled lemon sugar syrup, the lemon juice, and the pureed strawberries.
- Pour in 6 to 8 cups of water (start with 6) and stir with a large spoon to combine.
- For the best results, chill the lemonade for a few hours first, then serve with light ice. Try not to add too much ice as this will water down the lemonade.
More Recipes!
Enjoyed this delicious homemade lemonade recipe? Check out some of my other recipes you’re sure to love!
- Strawberry Margarita – you’ll love this easy recipe for the best margarita!
- Strawberry Lemonade Cake – all the flavors of lemonade but in cake form!
- Sparkling Raspberry Lemonade – made with fresh raspberries and sparkling soda.
Share it on Pinterest!
The Best Homemade Strawberry Lemonade Recipe!
Ingredients
- 1/2 to 1 cup white granulated sugar, adjust to taste
- zest from 2 lemons
- 1 cup water
- 1 1/2 lbs fresh strawberries
- 1 1/2 cups lemon juice
- 2 cups ice cubes
- 6 cups water
For Garnish:
- 1 cup strawberries, sliced
- 2 large lemons, sliced
Instructions
Making the Lemon Syrup:
- First, prepare the lemon syrup. Add the sugar into a small sauce pot. Adjust the sugar to taste. Add ½ cup for mildly sweet lemonade; 1 cup for a sweet lemonade.
- Add the zest of 2 large lemons. Using your fingers, blend together the sugar and lemon zest to activate the lemon oils.
- Pour in water, then bring the syrup over to the stovetop. Heat on medium-high heat, until the sugar is completely dissolved. You do not have to boil it. Allow the syrup to cool in the fridge.
Squeeze the Lemons:
- Next, juice the lemons. Slice 10 to 12 lemons in half, then squeeze out the juice into a large measuring cup. Strain the juice through a fine mesh strainer to get rid of any seeds or pulp.
Pureeing the Strawberries:
- First wash the strawberries, then take off the stems. Place the strawberries into a food processor or a blender and pulse until you have a smooth puree.
- Don’t have a blender or processor? Use two large forks or a potato masher to crush the berries. This method won’t give you the same smooth puree, but it will work in a pinch.
Making Lemonade:
- Drop 1 cup of sliced strawberries and 2 sliced lemons into the bottom of the dispenser/pitcher.
- Add about 2 cups of ice, then pour in the chilled lemon sugar syrup, the lemon juice, and the pureed strawberries.
- Pour in 6 to 8 cups of water (start with 6) and stir with a large spoon to combine.
- For the best results, chill the lemonade for a few hours first, then serve with light ice. Try not to add too much ice as this will water down the lemonade.
Notes:
- Nutritional facts calculated for 1/2 cup sugar. Adjust accordingly.
Super easy and refreshing! Used 1/2 of sugar as strawberries were sweet enough and it turned out great!
Wonderful! I’m so happy you loved it! I like it with 1/2 cup sugar as well – not too sweet and perfectly refreshing! Thanks for leaving a review!