Strawberry Lemonade

A refreshing homemade strawberry lemonade made with a real cooked strawberry syrup and a chilled lemonade base, perfect for summer parties, backyard barbecues, or any hot afternoon that calls for something cold.

Jump to Recipe

When I'm in the mood for strawberry lemonade, only a homemade batch will do. Once I started making this version, nothing else hits the spot.

The first time I made a batch, I set it out for the kids after a morning at the pool, and it disappeared faster than the ice cubes could melt. Now, I make it at least two or three times each summer, especially when strawberries are at their peak, and the weather is hot and sticky.

What makes this version different from the blend-it-and-strain lemonades you'll find everywhere else is the strawberry syrup.

Instead of pureeing raw berries straight into the pitcher, the strawberries get simmered down with sugar and water until they release every bit of their flavor into a deep red syrup. That extra step give you a lemonade that tastes unmistakably like real strawberries instead of just a faint pink tint.

To make homemade strawberry lemonade, you'll need:

For the Strawberry Simple Syrup

• 3 cups fresh strawberries, washed, hulled, and sliced (should measure 3 cups once sliced)
• 2 cups water
• 1 cup granulated sugar

For the Lemonade

• Country Time Lemonade, made according to the package directions to yield 2 quarts

For the Garnish

• Sliced lemon
• Sliced strawberries
• Ice cubes

I always make the lemonade base first and let it chill in the freezer while the strawberry syrup simmers on the stove. That way both components are ready to combine at the same time, and you're not standing around waiting on either one.

Substitutions and Variations

• Make it boozy. Vodka turns this into an easy strawberry lemonade cocktail for the adults at your next backyard get-together. Add about 1 cup of vodka to a pitcher, or an ounce to each glass.
• Go homemade. If you'd rather skip the powdered mix, you can make the lemonade portion from scratch with fresh-squeezed lemons instead of Country Time.
• Switch the berry. The simple syrup method works with other berries too, so you can use raspberries or blackberries if strawberries aren't what you have on hand.

FIRST STEP: In a large pitcher, make 2 quarts of Country Time Lemonade according to the package directions. Place it in the freezer to chill while you make the strawberry simple syrup.

SECOND STEP: In a medium saucepan, combine the water, sugar, and sliced strawberries. Cook over medium-high heat and bring to a boil.

THIRD STEP: Reduce the heat and let the mixture simmer until the strawberries soften and the liquid turns a deep red color.

FOURTH STEP: Strain the strawberries through a fine mesh strainer into the pitcher, pressing gently to release the juice without pushing through any strawberry chunks.

FIFTH STEP: Let the strawberry syrup cool before combining it with the chilled lemonade.

SIXTH STEP: Add the cooled strawberry syrup to the lemonade and stir to combine.

SEVENTH STEP: Serve over ice, garnished with sliced lemon and sliced strawberries.

This strawberry lemonade is a natural fit for backyard barbecues, pool days, and any gathering where you need a big-batch drink that appeals to kids and adults alike.

Double the batch and pour it into a large glass dispenser for parties so guests can help themselves, or serve it in individual glasses with a lemon wheel and a fresh strawberry perched on the rim for a little extra polish.

More Fruity Drinks For Summer

Drinks

Raspberry Lemonade

30 minutes mins

Drinks

Watermelon Cocktail

1 hour hr 5 minutes mins

Drinks

Iced Tea

12 hours hrs 15 minutes mins

Drinks

Peach Margarita

10 minutes mins

Make Ahead: The strawberry simple syrup can be made up to a week in advance and stored in the fridge, which makes this an easy drink to prep before a party. Just keep the syrup and lemonade base separate until you're ready to serve.

In the Fridge: Store the strawberry syrup for up to a week and the finished lemonade for up to three days.

In the Freezer: Neither the syrup nor the finished lemonade freezes well, so this one is best made fresh and enjoyed within a few days.

Get the BEST Recipes on Pinterest

Follow Us

Strawberry Lemonade

A refreshing homemade strawberry lemonade made with a real cooked strawberry syrup and a chilled lemonade base, perfect for summer parties, backyard barbecues, or any hot afternoon that calls for something cold.

Did you try this recipe?Let our readers know how it turned out by Leaving a Review!

No ratings yet

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Cook Time 35 minutes mins

Total Time 55 minutes mins

Course Drinks

Cuisine American

Servings 8 servings

Calories 114 kcal

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x

Strawberry Simple Syrup

• 3 cups strawberries, (washed and stems removed, then sliced (should measure three cups after they are sliced))
• 2 cups water
• 1 cup sugar

Lemonade

• Country Time Lemonade, (follow directions on the container to make 2 quarts)

Garnish (optional)

• Lemon, (sliced)
• Strawberries, (sliced)
• Ice

DIRECTIONS

 

• In a large pitcher, make 2 quarts Country Time Lemonade according to package directions. Place in the freezer to chill while making the strawberry simple syrup.
• In a medium saucepan, add 2 cups water, 1 cup sugar, and sliced strawberries. Cook over medium-high heat and bring to a boil.
  
• Reduce heat and let simmer for 30 minutes, or until the strawberries are soft and the liquid is a deep red color.
  
• Strain the strawberries using a mesh strainer into your pitcher. Press down on the strawberries gently, but make sure not to press too hard. You don't want any strawberry chunks in your lemonade.
  
• Let the strawberry simple syrup cool for 15 minutes.
  
• Once cooled, add strawberry simple syrup to the cold Country Time Lemonade.
  
• Serve over ice, sliced lemons, and sliced strawberries.
  

Notes

• Using cold water for the lemonade base speeds up the chilling process, so your drink is extra cold by the time the strawberry syrup is ready to add.
• Press the strawberries gently when straining the syrup. You want the juice, not the pulp, so avoid pushing too hard or you'll end up with chunks in your lemonade.
• The strawberry syrup can be made up to a week ahead and stored in the fridge, which makes party prep easier.
• Store the finished lemonade in the fridge for up to three days. It's best enjoyed fresh and isn't recommended for freezing.

Nutrition

Calories: 114kcal | Carbohydrates: 29g | Protein: 0.4g | Fat: 0.2g | Saturated Fat: 0.01g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.02g | Sodium: 4mg | Potassium: 83mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 28g | Vitamin A: 6IU | Vitamin C: 32mg | Calcium: 11mg | Iron: 0.2mg

HAVE YOU TRIED THIS RECIPE?Follow me on Pinterest @bestblogrecipes