Description
A refreshing and vibrant strawberry lemonade made with fresh strawberries, freshly squeezed lemon juice, and a homemade simple syrup sweetened with granulated sugar. Perfect for a hot day or a festive gathering, this drink balances sweet and tart flavors with a natural fruitiness.
Ingredients
Scale
Fruit and Juice
- 1/2 pound fresh strawberries, stems removed
- 1 1/2 cups fresh-squeezed lemon juice
Sweetener
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
Liquids
- 4 1/2 to 5 cups water, divided
Instructions
- Puree Strawberries: Use a blender or food processor to puree the strawberries until smooth. For a seed-free texture, strain the puree through a fine mesh sieve and discard the seeds.
- Make Simple Syrup: In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine the granulated sugar and 2 cups of water. Stir occasionally as the mixture heats.
- Boil and Dissolve Sugar: Bring the mixture to a boil and continue stirring until all sugar granules are fully dissolved. Remove the saucepan from heat and allow the simple syrup to cool completely to room temperature.
- Combine Ingredients: Strain the fresh lemon juice through a fine-mesh sieve into a 2-quart pitcher to remove pulp and seeds. Add the cooled simple syrup and the pureed strawberries to the pitcher, then stir thoroughly to blend all components evenly. Refrigerate this mixture until it is thoroughly chilled.
- Adjust Sweetness and Serve: When ready to serve, add 2 1/2 cups of cold water to the chilled strawberry-lemon mixture and stir. Taste the lemonade and, if desired, add more water to adjust sweetness or tartness according to preference. Serve the lemonade over ice for the best refreshing experience.
Notes
- If you prefer a more tart lemonade, reduce the sugar slightly or add more lemon juice.
- To make the lemonade seedless, be sure to strain both the strawberry puree and lemon juice thoroughly.
- Simple syrup can be made ahead and stored in the refrigerator for up to one week.
- Add fresh mint or basil leaves for an herbal twist.
- For a sparkling version, substitute some of the water with sparkling water just before serving.
- Use organic lemons if possible for the freshest flavor and to avoid wax coatings.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 120 kcal
- Sugar: 28 g
- Sodium: 5 mg
- Fat: 0 g
- Saturated Fat: 0 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 31 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 1 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
