Homemade Strawberry Lemonade

There is a specific kind of hot Kansas City summer afternoon where the only acceptable response is a tall, cold, pink glass of strawberry lemonade. The kind where you can hear the ice clinking and the sprinkler going and your kid is somehow already soaked. This is the drink that makes those days feel a little dreamier, and honestly it takes about as much effort as opening a store bought bottle.

Once you make lemonade from real lemons and real strawberries, the powdered stuff just does not cut it anymore. It is brighter, fresher, and you get to control exactly how sweet it is. Plus it looks so pretty in a pitcher that people assume you really fussed, when really you just blended some berries and squeezed some lemons.

Make it a fun party pitcher

This is my go to drink for backyard hangs and pool days. I love serving it in a big drink dispenser so everyone can help themselves, with lots of lemon slices and strawberries floating on top for that magazine cover look. If you want to make it feel extra special, a few mint sprigs are gorgeous.

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• A pretty drink dispenser
• A handy citrus juicer
• Mason jar glasses

Want to make it a grown up drink?

This lemonade is the perfect base for a little summer cocktail. A splash of vodka or some prosecco turns it into the easiest party sipper. But it is honestly so good on its own that I usually keep it virgin so the whole family, kids included, can enjoy it together.

Homemade Strawberry Lemonade

Fresh squeezed lemonade swirled with a sweet strawberry puree. It is sunshine in a glass and the easiest way to make a regular day feel special.

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Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 5 minutes mins

Total Time 20 minutes mins

Servings: 6 glasses

Course: Drinks

Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients

  

• 1 cup fresh strawberries hulled
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar divided
• 1 cup fresh lemon juice about 5 to 6 lemons
• 4 cups cold water divided
• 1 lemon sliced, for serving
• 1 ice for serving

Method

 

1. Make a simple syrup by heating 1/2 cup of the sugar with 1/2 cup of the water until the sugar dissolves. Let cool.
2. Blend the strawberries with the remaining 1/4 cup sugar until smooth. Strain out the seeds if you like a smoother lemonade.
3. In a large pitcher, combine the lemon juice, simple syrup, strawberry puree, and the remaining 3 1/2 cups cold water. Stir well.
4. Taste and add a little more water or sugar to get it just right. Chill until cold.
5. Serve over plenty of ice with lemon slices and a few strawberries.

Notes

Make a big batch and keep it in the fridge for up to 3 days. Adjust the sweetness to taste depending on how tart your lemons are.

A little tip from me

Taste as you go. Lemons vary a lot in tartness, so start with the sugar in the recipe and adjust until it tastes like summer to you. There is no wrong answer, only delicious.

So glad you are here.
xo, Pam