Strawberry Lemonade
Ingredients
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- 1 cups granulated sugar
- 1 cups water – for simple syrup
- 16 ounces strawberries – hulled (~40 medium strawberries)
- 1 cups lemon juice – freshly squeezed
- 4 cups water – cold
- ice – for serving
- lemon – thinly sliced (for garnish)
Instructions
1. Make the simple syrup: Combine the sugar and 1 cup water in a small saucepan. Bring just to a simmer over medium heat, stirring until the sugar dissolves, 2–3 minutes. Remove from heat and cool to room temperature, about 15 minutes.
2. Prepare the strawberries: Rinse and hull the strawberries. Add them to a blender and blend until very smooth, 30–60 seconds.
3. Strain the puree: Pour the strawberry puree through a fine-mesh sieve into a large pitcher, pressing to extract as much liquid as possible; discard the seeds and pulp.
4. Mix the lemonade: Stir in the cooled simple syrup, the freshly squeezed lemon juice, and 4 cups cold water until evenly combined.
5. Chill: Refrigerate until cold, at least 30 minutes, or until well-chilled to your liking.
6. Serve: Fill glasses with ice, pour in the strawberry lemonade, and garnish with lemon slices. Serve immediately.
Strawberry lemonade is a bright, refreshing drink that marries the tart zip of fresh lemon juice with the lush sweetness and aroma of ripe strawberries. The result is a vivid pink beverage with a clean citrus backbone and juicy berry roundness, balanced by just enough sugar to keep it crisp rather than cloying. Served well-chilled over ice, it’s a summertime staple that’s equal parts thirst-quencher and crowd-pleaser.
Lemonade has roots stretching back to medieval lemon drinks in the Middle East and North Africa, with sweetened lemon beverages spreading through Europe before becoming a fixture in American refreshment culture. Strawberry lemonade likely gained popularity in the United States as seasonal produce, farm stands, and soda fountains inspired fruit-forward twists on classic lemonade. Today it’s common at fairs, diners, and backyard gatherings, often prepared to showcase fresh berries at their peak.