I came up with this specific recipe long before I started Sweet Tea + Thyme, back in the summer of 2013. I was many months pregnant and couldn't stomach store bought lemonade to save my life. It was always too tart, I felt like I burned a hole in my throat, and hated the fake strawberry flavors.
I was overheated, hormonal, and deeply offended. All I wanted was a glass of real strawberry lemonade that tasted good!
So I made my own and let me tell you, it was exactly what that pregnant lady needed. I call it my addictive strawberry lemonade because once you get a sip, you'll knock back the whole glass, it's so good!
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Fresh Strawberry Lemonade Recipe
This is a really easy recipe and it takes advantage of those spring and summer strawberries, though it also works well with thawed frozen strawberries as well.
I came up with this when I didn't have a blender to puree the strawberries, so it was out of the question. What I did have was plenty of strawberries to muddle in the pitcher, though! Along with the thing that makes this lemonade special: the homemade strawberry simple syrup.
It's quick and easy to make (just simmer berries with sugar and water) but it pulls double duty in sweetening up the lemonade and loading it up with a ton of strawberry flavor.
Then all you need is water and fresh lemon juice and that's it! It's so easy to make and it's just perfect for all your summer dinner party and cookout needs.
TL;DR Why You'll Love this Pink Lemonade
- Has tons of real fruit flavor with just 4 ingredients - we're hitting the strawberry and lemon flavor from multiple angles with no fake stuff.
- No blender, no problem - this recipe doesn't need a blender; just muddle the berries and simmer the syrup. That’s it. No fancy gadgets, no mess.
- So customizable - Like pulp? Want it super sweet? It's no longer strawberry season and you want to use frozen berries? All this and more can be done, the lemonade is your oyster!
- Ideal for any summer situation - lemonade really is the perfect summer drink! From Memorial Day to backyard BBQs to that pregnant friend who's just way too hot this summer, it's so appreciated.
Ingredients Needed
Full ingredients, measurements, and printable instructions are in the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
- Fresh Strawberries - you can use frozen strawberries if it's out of season, but I love this recipe for using those overripe berries in the fridge.
- Granulated Sugar and Water - this is our simple syrup, though we will need more cold water for the lemonade portion as well.
- Lemons - like a lot of 'em! Buy a big bag of them at the market.
How to Make Strawberry Lemonade without a Blender
Step 1 | Make the Strawberry Syrup. In a small saucepan, combine some water, sugar, and chopped strawberries. Simmer over medium heat (don’t boil!) for about 5 minutes until the strawberries are soft and the syrup is vibrant and fragrant.
Step 2 | Strain the Syrup. Pour the syrup through a fine mesh sieve into a heat-safe container, pressing gently to get all that good flavor. Discard the solids.
Step 3 | Macerate the Strawberries. Chop a few fresh strawberries and toss them with a little sugar directly in your pitcher. Mash 'em up a little bit and let them sit for 10–15 minutes to release their juices.
Step 4: Make the Homemade Lemonade. Add the fresh lemon juice and cold water to the pitcher. Stir in the cooled strawberry syrup and give it a good mix.
Step 5 | Chill and Serve. Cover and refrigerate until cold. Serve over ice, and toss in a few extra frozen strawberries or lemon slices if you’re feeling fancy. If you’re adding a lot of ice to the pitcher, reduce the water slightly so it doesn’t get too diluted.
Variations
- Sparkling Strawberry Lemonade: Swap some of the water for club soda or sparkling mineral water for a bubbly twist. Add the bubbles just before serving so it doesn’t go flat.
- Strawberry Basil Lemonade: Add a few fresh basil leaves to the syrup while it simmers, then strain as usual. It’s fancy, it’s fresh, it’s giving garden party.
- Make it boozy: Add a shot of vodka, gin, or tequila to each glass. Or stir some into the whole pitcher for a party batch (just label it, y’all).
Chef's Tips for the Best Strawberry Lemonade
- Don’t boil the syrup. Keep it at a gentle simmer since boiling can dull the flavor and mess with the syrup texture.
- Taste and adjust. Lemons and strawberries vary in sweetness. Add more syrup, lemon juice, or water as needed to balance it to your taste.
- Use ripe berries. The riper the strawberries, the more flavor you’ll get. If yours are a little bland, grab the frozen berries! They're picked and frozen at their best.
- Chill everything. For the best flavor and least dilution, start with chilled lemon juice and cold water, especially if you’re serving right away.
Make Ahead and Storage Tips
- Make ahead: You can make the strawberry syrup up to 3 days in advance and keep it chilled in a jar or airtight container. The lemonade itself can be mixed and refrigerated a day ahead of serving.
- Storing leftovers: Store any leftover lemonade in a sealed pitcher or jar in the fridge for up to 4 days. Give it a good stir before serving, as the lemon and syrup may separate a bit.
- Freezer option: You can freeze the strawberry syrup in an ice cube tray and pop a few into lemonade or sparkling water anytime you want a hit of flavor—instant fancy drink!
Keep the Summer Drinks Flowing
Craving more cozy recipes? Sign up for the Sweet Tea & Thyme newsletter, save this recipe with the Pin button. If you whip it up, tag me (@sweet_tea_thyme on IG/@sweetteaandthyme on TikTok) and don’t forget to leave a star rating and note below, it helps more than you know, friend.
Craving more cozy recipes? Sign up for the Sweet Tea & Thyme newsletter, save this recipe with the Pin button. If you whip it up, tag me (@sweet_tea_thyme on IG/@sweetteaandthyme on TikTok) and don’t forget to leave a star rating and note below, it helps more than you know, friend.
Easy Summer Strawberry Lemonade
Ingredients
Strawberry Simple Syrup
- 1¼ cup water
- 1¼ cup granulated sugar
- 12 strawberries, hulled and chopped
Strawberry Lemonade
- 2½ cups strawberries, hulled
- 3 tablespoon granulated sugar
- 1½ lemon juice, fresh squeezed
- 4 cups ice cold water
- Lemon slices and frozen strawberries, to garnish
Instructions
Make Strawberry Simple Syrup
- Add the water, granulated sugar, and the chopped strawberries into a small saucepan over medium heat on the stove.1¼ cup water, 1¼ cup granulated sugar, 12 strawberries
- Let the water come to a simmer and dissolve all the sugar, you can stir to help it dissolve.
- Let the simple syrup simmer (never boil!) for 5 minutes, then strain the syrup through a mesh sieve into a heat-safe bowl or container.
- This can be done ahead of time or right before you make the lemonade, just make sure to add extra ice to cool it down.
Make Strawberry Lemonade
- In a large pitcher, take the remaining strawberries and pour the remaining sugar over them. Stir to cover the strawberries in the sugar and let the berries macerate for 5 minutes.2½ cups strawberries, 3 tablespoon granulated sugar
- Juice all the lemons and add the juice to the pitcher with the macerated strawberries and sugar.1½ lemon juice
- Add water to fill up the pitcher, then stir in the strawberry simple syrup.4 cups ice cold water
- Add ice cubes or frozen strawberries and place in the fridge to cool if you have time, otherwise serve with ice/frozen strawberries!Lemon slices and frozen strawberries
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