It’s been a summer of lemonades in my home, so this Strawberry Lemonade fits nicely with the heat-busting, refreshing drinks I’ve been making for Pali (Zyair) and his sisters. The Peach Mango Lemonade went somewhat viral, while the Sorrel Lemonade spoke to those of us more interested in Caribbean flavours. Then there was the Big People Lemonade, with a splash of rum, so the adults could also enjoy a festive lemonade on days we gather with friends and family.
As part of my In Season series, I couldn’t let our local strawberry season pass without sharing this one. Freshly picked strawberries from the farms in my area (Hamilton, ON) add a lovely fruity balance to the tartness of freshly squeezed lemons, creating a refreshing summer drink that’s as beautiful as it is delicious. While it may be tempting to use bottled lemon juice, there’s really no substitute for freshly squeezed lemons. With just a handful of simple ingredients and a few minutes of your time, you’ll have a pitcher of homemade Strawberry Lemonade ready to enjoy over plenty of ice with a few sprigs of fresh mint.
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Ingredient Guide
Strawberries: Fresh strawberries are the heart of this lemonade, adding natural sweetness, vibrant colour, and fresh berry flavour.
Sugar: Sweetens the strawberries while balancing the bright acidity of the lemons.
Water: Helps create a light, refreshing drink once everything is combined.
Fresh Lemon Juice: Gives the lemonade its signature tart, citrus flavour that bottled juice simply can’t match.
Mint: Adds a gentle herbal aroma that complements both the strawberries and lemons.
Shopping Made Easy
- Buy local strawberries whenever they’re in season for the sweetest flavour.
- Choose lemons that feel heavy for their size since they’ll usually yield more juice.
- Fresh mint is available at most grocery stores and farmers’ markets throughout the summer.
- Wash strawberries well before using, especially if they’ve come straight from a local farm.
Cooking Notes From the Kitchen
- Simmering the strawberries helps extract their flavour and vibrant colour.
- Straining the puree gives you a smooth lemonade without seeds.
- Fresh lemon juice makes a noticeable difference in the finished drink, including the pulp.
- Chill the lemonade before serving for the most refreshing flavour.
- Add the mint just before serving so the leaves stay fresh and aromatic.
Ridiculously Quick and Easy Strawberry Lemonade
Ingredients
- 12 large strawberries chopped
- 1 cup sugar
- 7 cups water divided
- 1 cup fresh lemon juice about 6 lemons
- Mint
Instructions
- Remove the stems from the strawberries, give them a good wash, and chop them.
- Place the chopped strawberries in a deep pot with 3 cups of the water and the sugar. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer and cook for 5 minutes.
- Allow the mixture to cool for 10 to 15 minutes before using a stick blender to puree until smooth.
- Juice the lemons, as there’s no substitute for freshly squeezed lemons, then pour the juice into a large pitcher or bowl.
- Strain the strawberry puree to remove the seeds and excess pulp, then add it to the pitcher.
- Pour in the remaining 4 cups of water and stir well to combine. Taste and adjust the sugar to your own liking. Honey, raw can sugar, and other sweeteners are also options instead of using processed sugar.
- Like the Rosemary Infused Lemonade I shared previously, may I recommend serving this Strawberry Lemonade over plenty of ice with a few sprigs of fresh mint. As the mint leaves bruise against the ice, they'll release their aromatic oils into the lemonade, giving every sip a gentle kiss of added herbal flavour.
- If you enjoy this Strawberry Lemonade, you should also give my Strawberry Apple Cider Lemonade a try. And if you're after something with a bit more Caribbean flair, my Guava Lemonade is always a hit thanks to the rich flavour of ripe guavas.
- Let me know your thoughts on this refreshing Strawberry Lemonade and if there are ways you make it more personal to your own preferences by leaving a comment below. I’d love to hear from you.
