Description
This delicious homemade strawberry lemonade is a refreshing blend of fresh strawberries and freshly squeezed lemon juice, sweetened to perfection and served chilled over ice. It’s a perfect summer drink that balances sweet and tart flavors with a natural, fruity aroma.
Ingredients
Scale
Fruit Base
- 2 cups Fresh Strawberries (Washed, hulled, and sliced)
- 1 cup Fresh Lemon Juice (Approximately 4-6 lemons, avoid bottled juice)
Sweetener
- 3/4 cup Granulated Sugar (Adjust to taste, can substitute with honey or agave)
Liquids
- 4 cups Cold Water (Use filtered water for best taste)
Serving
- Ice Cubes (As needed, for serving chilled)
Instructions
- Prepare Strawberries: Wash and slice the strawberries, then combine them with 1/4 cup of sugar in a saucepan and let the mixture sit for 10-15 minutes. This step helps to macerate the strawberries and begin releasing their juices.
- Squeeze Lemons: Roll the lemons on the countertop to loosen the juices, then cut them in half and squeeze out 1 cup of fresh lemon juice, ensuring to avoid any bottled juice for best flavor.
- Cook Strawberry Mixture: Heat the strawberry and sugar mixture with 2 cups of water over medium heat. Stir occasionally until the sugar fully dissolves and the strawberries soften, about 5-7 minutes, creating a fragrant and flavorful base.
- Strain Mixture: Strain the cooked strawberry liquid into a pitcher, discarding the solids. This step ensures a smooth lemonade without pulp or seeds, then add the freshly squeezed lemon juice to the pitcher.
- Mix and Adjust: Add the remaining 2 cups of cold water to the pitcher and stir well. Taste and adjust the sweetness if necessary by adding more sugar or honey as preferred.
- Chill: Refrigerate the lemonade for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld and to serve it nicely chilled.
- Serve: Serve the strawberry lemonade over ice cubes, garnished with lemon slices or fresh strawberries for an appealing presentation and enhanced flavor.
Notes
- You can substitute the granulated sugar with honey or agave syrup to make a more natural sweetener option.
- Adjust the sweetness according to your taste by adding more or less sugar.
- For a sparkling version, replace some or all of the cold water with sparkling water before serving.
- Use filtered water to enhance the flavor and clarity of your lemonade.
- Chilling the lemonade well before serving improves the refreshing quality of the drink.
- Straining the mixture ensures a smooth texture, but if you prefer pulp, you can skip the straining step.
