Easy Strawberry Lemonade Recipe

5 from 2 votes

Cool down with this fresh strawberry lemonade made with real fruit, honey or sugar, and fresh lemons. The best summer drink recipe.

Prep Time10

Total Time10

Course: Drinks

Cuisine: American

Keyword: Lemonade

Servings: servings

Calories: 93kcal

Wash and prep: Thoroughly wash the strawberries under cold water. Hull them (remove the green tops) and set them aside.
Make the simple syrup: In a small saucepan, combine the sugar and 1/4 cup water. Heat over medium heat, stirring until the sugar dissolves completely (1-2 minutes). Remove from heat and let cool.
Blend the strawberries: Place the washed strawberries in a blender, add the syrup and blend until smooth.
Strain (optional): For a smoother lemonade, strain the strawberry puree through a fine mesh sieve to remove seeds.
Mix: In a large pitcher, combine the strawberry puree (with the simple syrup), the lemon juice, cold water (or sparkling water) and stir to combine.
Taste & adjust: Taste your lemonade and adjust to your liking by adding more lemon juice, water, or sweetener if needed.
Serve: Fill glasses with ice, pour the lemonade, and garnish with mint or lemon slices.

Sugar amount: Feel free to increase or decrease the sugar depending on how tart or sweet you like your drinks. You can start with 1/4 cup and add more if needed.
Other sweeteners: You can swap granulated sugar for honey, maple syrup, agave, or even low-carb options like erythritol, monk fruit, or stevia. Just be mindful of their sweetness levels—start small and adjust to taste.
Water alternatives: Instead of still water, you can use sparkling water or club soda for a fizzy version.
Lemon juice control: Adjust the tartness by adding more or less lemon juice depending on how zesty you want your lemonade.
Mix-ins: Get creative! Add fresh mint, basil, or rosemary for an herby twist. You can also muddle cucumber slices or ginger for extra complexity.
Storage: Store the lemonade in the fridge in a sealed container for up to 3 days. Stir before serving as natural separation may occur.
Adding alcohol: Turn this into a refreshing cocktail by adding vodka, white rum, gin, tequila, or even sparkling wine. Just stir in your choice of alcohol after mixing the lemonade—start with about 1.5 oz (45 ml) per serving or adjust to your liking.