Homemade Strawberry Lemonade is what I crave when the weather warms up and my fridge looks a little too serious. Maybe you feel it too. You want something bright, cold, and not complicated. This recipe has become my go to because it tastes like summer in a glass and it takes less time than finding your favorite glass. If you care about making better choices in the kitchen, check out this quick read on sustainable juicing which inspired a few of my tips here. By the end of this post, you will be able to whip up a batch that tastes fresh, balanced, and not overly sweet.

Step by step preparation photos for this strawberry lemonade blender recipe

I call this a blender recipe because the blender does the heavy lifting. We blend the strawberries with a simple syrup and some water, then finish with fresh lemon juice so the citrus stays bright. If you can measure and press a button, you can make it. Here is the flow I use, and how I lay out the sequence if I were taking prep photos.

What you will need

2 cups hulled ripe strawberries, fresh or thawed from frozen
1 cup fresh lemon juice from about 5 to 6 lemons
1 cup sugar syrup or adjust to taste
4 to 5 cups cold water, divided
Ice, sliced lemons, and a few strawberry halves for serving
Blender, fine mesh strainer, pitcher, and a citrus reamer or juicer

Blender steps that match the photos

Photo 1 would show a small pot with equal parts sugar and water. Bring it to a simmer, stir to dissolve, and cool. That is your simple syrup and it prevents grainy sugar in the final drink.

Photo 2 would show your blender jar loaded with strawberries, half of the syrup, and about one cup of water. Blend until completely smooth. This makes a ruby red base that smells amazing.

Photo 3 would show you straining the puree into a pitcher if you prefer a smoother lemonade. Press with a spoon to get all the flavor through. If you like a bit of fruit texture, you can skip straining.

Photo 4 would show you adding the fresh lemon juice, more cold water, and the rest of the syrup to the pitcher. Stir, taste, and adjust by adding more water for a lighter sip or more syrup for a sweeter sip. Keep the lemon bright and balanced instead of overly tart.

Photo 5 would show a glass filled with ice, a lemon wheel, and a strawberry half. Pour and enjoy.

For extra smart kitchen habits, I like to skim helpful ideas from this piece on sustainable juicing to reduce waste and keep flavors clean. This is where the Refreshingly Simple Homemade Strawberry Lemonade Recipe really shines.

Best way to juice lemons

Lemons can be fussy if you rush them, but a few small moves make a big difference. I used to squeeze with my hands and give up halfway through. Now I can get every drop without the seeds or the mess.

My fast juicing method

First, roll each lemon under your palm on the counter for about 10 seconds to loosen the juice. If a lemon feels firm, microwave it for 10 seconds. Cut it crosswise, then ream it with a handheld juicer over a measuring cup with a fine mesh strainer on top. The strainer catches seeds and extra pulp. Press the pulp lightly to grab the last bit of juice, but do not force it or you will release bitterness from the pith.

When you are done, you should have a bright, clear lemon juice that tastes clean. If you do a lot of juicing at home, a simple handheld reamer or a lever style citrus press is worth it. For even more ideas on reducing waste from rinds and using what you have, I recommend this quick reference on sustainable juicing practices. It keeps the Refreshingly Simple Homemade Strawberry Lemonade Recipe on the healthy side of sweet and sour without much effort.

Easy Strawberry Lemonade

Here is the heart of the recipe. The ratios below will give you a balanced pitcher that tastes fresh and lively. You can scale up or down easily for cookouts or lazy afternoons on the porch.

Directions and ratios

Make syrup: Combine 1 cup sugar with 1 cup water in a small pot. Heat, stir to dissolve, then cool.
Blend base: Add 2 cups strawberries, half the syrup, and 1 cup cold water to a blender. Blend until smooth.
Strain if you like it smooth: Pour through a fine mesh strainer into a pitcher and press gently.
Add citrus: Stir in 1 cup fresh lemon juice.
Adjust: Add 3 to 4 more cups cold water and the remaining syrup to taste. Start with less, taste, and add more as needed.
Chill and serve: Add ice to glasses, garnish with lemon slices and strawberry halves, and serve right away.

Taste tips I stand by: if the lemonade tastes flat, add a pinch of salt. If it tastes tart, add a splash more syrup. If it tastes sweet, add more lemon juice or a little cold water. Let the ice do some of the mellowing once it hits the glass. That is the sweet spot for this Refreshingly Simple Homemade Strawberry Lemonade Recipe.

I made this on a hot Sunday and my kids asked for a second pitcher. It was bright, not too sweet, and the color was gorgeous. Blending the berries and adding the lemon juice at the end really keeps it fresh.

To stretch your strawberries, blend a mix of fresh and frozen. Frozen berries are picked at peak ripeness, so the flavor pops. You can also halve the sugar if your berries are super sweet. If you like smarter sipping, this note on small sustainable shifts is a great place to start.

If you liked this pitcher, you will love keeping your juicing simple and mindful. I keep coming back to this resource on how one shift can change your juicing game because it helps me cut waste and keep flavors bright. It pairs nicely with any fruit forward drink you want to try next.

More BEVERAGE RECIPES

When you have lemons and berries on the counter, it is easy to find a new favorite. Try swapping half the strawberries with raspberries for a tangy twist. Make a spritz by topping your glass with sparkling water. For a cozy night, warm lemon honey water with a pinch of ginger hits the spot. And if you are building a habit of fresh drinks at home, this reminder on sustainable juicing is worth bookmarking.

Common Questions

Can I use bottled lemon juice?
Fresh lemon juice tastes brighter and more natural. Bottled can work in a pinch, but it may taste flat. If you do use it, start with less and adjust.

How do I make it less sweet?
Use half the syrup to start and add more only if needed. You can also add more cold water. A tiny pinch of salt can bring out sweetness without extra sugar.

Can I make it ahead?
Yes. Blend the strawberry base and keep the lemon juice separate. Combine within a day for best flavor. The fresh citrus stays brighter that way.

What about seeds and pulp?
Strain the strawberry puree if you like a smoother sip. Strain the lemon juice to remove seeds. If you enjoy texture, skip straining and go rustic.

Can I make this with honey or maple?
Absolutely. Make a quick syrup by warming honey or maple with water until it blends. Start with less and add to taste. It will change the flavor in a nice way.

Is there a quick shortcut?
If you are in a rush, blend strawberries with water and sugar directly, then stir in bottled lemon juice carefully to taste. Fresh is better, but this works when time is tight. It still fits the spirit of a Refreshingly Simple Homemade Strawberry Lemonade Recipe.

A sunny sip to share

You now have a pitcher that is cold, bright, and easy to repeat anytime. The mix of sweet berries, tart lemon, and ice is hard to beat, and the steps are as simple as blend, stir, and pour. If you want to compare notes with other home cooks, I like the approach in Homemade Strawberry Lemonade – Laylita’s Recipes and this friendly guide for a crowd at AMAZING Homemade Strawberry Lemonade – Tastes Better from …. Keep it simple, taste as you go, and feel free to tweak the sweetness. I hope this Refreshingly Simple Homemade Strawberry Lemonade Recipe becomes your go to sip of summer.

Homemade Strawberry Lemonade

Author: Alex Chen
Total Time: 20 minutes
Yield: 6 servings 1x
Diet: Vegan

Print Recipe

Description

A refreshing blend of strawberries and lemons, perfect for summer days. Bright, cold, and easy to make.

Ingredients

Scale

2 cups hulled ripe strawberries, fresh or thawed from frozen
1 cup fresh lemon juice (about 5 to 6 lemons)
1 cup sugar syrup (or adjust to taste)
4 to 5 cups cold water, divided
Ice, for serving
Sliced lemons, for garnish
Strawberry halves, for garnish

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Instructions

Make syrup: Combine 1 cup sugar with 1 cup water in a small pot. Heat, stir to dissolve, then cool.
Blend base: Add 2 cups strawberries, half the syrup, and 1 cup cold water to a blender. Blend until smooth.
Strain if desired: Pour through a fine mesh strainer into a pitcher and press gently.
Add citrus: Stir in 1 cup fresh lemon juice.
Adjust: Add 3 to 4 more cups cold water and the remaining syrup to taste. Start with less, taste, and add more as needed.
Chill and serve: Add ice to glasses, garnish with lemon slices and strawberry halves, and serve right away.

Notes

If the lemonade tastes flat, add a pinch of salt. If it’s too tart, add more syrup. If too sweet, add more lemon juice or cold water.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Category: Beverages
Method: Blending
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 serving
Calories: 150
Sugar: 25g
Sodium: 5mg
Fat: 0g
Saturated Fat: 0g
Unsaturated Fat: 0g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 37g
Fiber: 2g
Protein: 1g
Cholesterol: 0mg