Homemade Strawberry Lemonade • Olive & Mango (2024)

Move over spritz and make room for this Homemade Strawberry Lemonade - the most refreshing summer drink co*cktail/mocktail for hosting or beach days - no need for a citrus juicer for this one. Simply blend peeled fresh lemon and fresh strawberries with your favourite sweetener to taste, strain strawberry mixture and enjoy in a nice tall glass filled with ice cubes and topped up with lemon sparkling water if you want it fizzy. Go from mocktail to co*cktail status by adding some alcohol. Maximum refreshment and lemony berry flavor in this easy to make homemade lemonade that you will be making all summer long.

Homemade Strawberry Lemonade Ingredients

Lemons: You need 4 lemons skin and pith peeled and roughly chopped - feel free to use more if you prefer your lemonade more tart - adjust tartness to taste. Some recipes call for using the whole lemon (peel and all) - you can do that but straining after blending is a must and the lemonade will have a bitter note to it from the skin and pith. Fresh Lemons and fresh lemon juice are a must for this lemonade
Strawberries: You will need 1 lbs of strawberries. Look for strawberries that are red all the way through. They will be the sweetest and juiciest, which will make your strawberry lemonade taste like strawberries. If your berries aren’t sweet, add an extra tablespoon of sugar or taste and adjust as needed. I rough chop the strawberries especially if they are really large ones but that is optional - this just helps our your blender a bit.
Sugar: ½ cup of sugar is what I use but adjust amount according to taste. Blending the sugar with the fruit helps it breakdown and dissolve well but If you prefer to use a simple syrup that is fine too. Instructions below on how to make your own simple syrup if you prefer to. I use granulated sugar for the most neutral flavour but feel free to use brown sugar or pure cane sugar or feel free to sweeten with honey or even stevia
Water: 2 cups is what use but for a more concentrated mixture reduce by half - the water also helps the fruit and lemons to blend well so use as little as you need to help the blending process for a very concentrated lemonade
Sparking Water: Is an optional add in to make this lemonade into a fizzy one - I like to top up my glass with it - add as much or as little as you like or leave out

Variations & Uses For Strawberry Lemonade

If you wish to make your strawberry lemonade into a co*cktail, you can add vodka, rum or tequila your favourite liquor like Limoncello for a seriously lemony drink or triple sec for a riff on a strawberry margarita
If you’d like to add some extra flavor without adding any alcohol, try adding some zero proof spirits or shrubs or a few drops of your favorite bitters.
You can mix with white wine to make a sangria similar to this Citrus Sangria
Make it a sparkling strawberry lemonade by adding something bubbly to it, almost like a mimosa or bellini. I used a lemon sparkling water for mine but you can use champagne, sparkling apple cider, sparkling lemonade, ginger ale or ginger beer.
Blend it (again!) with frozen berries or with ice for a refreshing smoothie or a copy cat Blended Starbucks Strawberry Lemonade
Muddle some basil, mint or fresh ginger and add it to the lemonade.
Feel free to switch things up by swapping the lemons for limes making this into a strawberry limeade

How To Make This Easy Strawberry Lemonade Recipe

The method for making this homemade strawberry lemonade could not be easier - here is the breakdown (full instructions in recipe card below):

Peel the Skin, White Pith and Seeds From Lemons
Puree the strawberries & Peeled Lemons : Use a blender or food processor to puree the strawberries, lemons, sugar and water
Strain Mixture: Strain through a fine mesh sieve, if you want.
Chill Until ready to serve
Pour into glass filled with ice
Top up with sparkling water
Garnish with lemon slices, sliced berries and fresh mint or basil

Can I use simple syrup instead of sugar?

Yes you can use simple syrup instead of sugar in this refreshing summer co*cktail /mocktail - either store bought or homemade. Make simple syrup: Place 1 cup of sugar and 1 cup of water in a small saucepan over medium heat and lightly simmer until dissolved. Remove from heat and allow to cool. Add to co*cktails mocktails as desired

Can I juice my lemons instead of peeling and adding them whole?

Yes you can definitely can juice your lemons and add the juice to the blender wth the strawberries but adding them peeled and whole saves a bit of time and elbow grease but either way will work.

More Refreshing Drinks You Will Love

Citrus Rose Sangria
Paloma co*cktail
Watermelon Slushy co*cktails
Classic and Refreshing Margarita
Strawberry Rhubarb Gin Fizz