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Nicole Rufus
Nicole RufusAssistant Food Editor
Nicole is the Assistant Food Editor at Kitchn. She writes about recipes as well as developing some of her own. You can usually find her playing around in the kitchen or online “window” shopping. She currently resides in Brooklyn and is getting her master’s in Food Studies.
published Jul 24, 2021
summer
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This refreshing pitcher drink, made with juicy strawberries and freshly squeezed lemon juice, is great for lemonade stands and family cookouts alike.
Serves4 to 6Prep10 minutes to 15 minutesJump to Recipe
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Nothing screams summer like a glass of ice-cold strawberry lemonade. When I was growing up, my family was partial to the kind you make using Crystal Light powder, but, like most other things, strawberry lemonade tastes so much better when it’s made from scratch.
With just a few simple ingredients, you can make a pitcher of strawberry lemonade that’s guaranteed to be a crowd-pleaser. It’s perfect for lemonade stands and family cookouts alike, and —if you’re hanging with a 21+ crowd —it’s delicious with a shot of your favorite liquor. Here’s how to make this extra-special summertime treat.
What Is Strawberry Lemonade Made Of?
You only need five ingredients to make strawberry lemonade.
- Strawberries: Opt for the juiciest, ripest strawberries you can find, which will make for the sweetest, most flavorful drink.
- Lemons: If you have time, let the lemons come to room temperature before squeezing them with a handheld juicer, which will help you get as much juice out of them as possible.
- Sugar: Strawberries are sweet, but not sweet enough to counteract all of those puckery lemons. Because the lemonade is made in the blender, the sugar is guaranteed to dissolve.
- Water: I find the perfect ratio to be 4 cups water to 1 cup plus 2 tablespoons sugar. If you like your lemonade less sweet, add more cold water 1/4 cup at a time.
- Ice: To avoid diluting your drink, add the ice to individual glasses instead of the pitcher.
The process is easy: Blend the strawberries, lemon juice, and sugar until the strawberries are puréed and the sugar dissolves, then pour the mixture through a fine-mesh strainer into a pitcher. Stir in cold water and your drink is complete!
The Case for Freshly Squeezed Lemon Juice
I know it’s quicker and easier to buy a bottle of lemon juice from the store, but I can assure you the taste of freshly squeezed lemon juice is the key to the best homemade lemonade. If you grab a friend (or your kids) and bust out the citrus juicer, it will go quickly!
Buy Now
If you know you’ll want to make more lemonade in the future, juice extra lemons and store the juice in the freezer until you’re ready for your next batch. (I like to freeze the juice in ice cube trays, then transfer them to a freezer bag). When it’s drink time, it will feel just as easy as grabbing a bottle of the store-bought stuff, but you’ll be rewarded with the taste of freshly squeezed juice.
3 Twists on Strawberry Lemonade
The best thing about lemonade is that it’s a blank canvas for so many flavors. Here are my favorite ways to play around with this recipe.
- Swap in other berries: If you’ve got raspberries or blueberries on hand, swap them in for some or all of the strawberries.
- Try sparkling water: For a bubbly beverage, use sparkling water (or a sparkling wine, such as Cava) in place of still. Serve immediately to make sure the drink keeps its sparkle.
- Add a shot of liquor: A little gin or vodka will turn this pitcher into a party.
Credit: Photo: Joe Lingeman; Food Styling: Amelia Rampe
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Here's how to make the best strawberry lemonade.
How To Make Strawberry Lemonade
This refreshing pitcher drink, made with juicy strawberries and freshly squeezed lemon juice, is great for lemonade stands and family cookouts alike.
Prep time 10 minutes to 15 minutes
Serves 4 to 6
Nutritional Info
Ingredients
- 2 cups
strawberries (10 to 12 ounces)
- 2 pounds
lemons (8 to 10 medium)
- 1 cup
plus 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 4 cups
cold water, plus more as needed
Ice
Equipment
Knife and cutting board
Measuring cups and spoons
Citrus juicer
Blender
2-quart or larger pitcher
Mixing spoon
Fine-mesh strainer
Instructions
Prep the strawberries and squeeze the lemons. Hull and quarter 2 cups fresh strawberries. Place in a blender. Juice 2 pounds lemons until you have 1 1/2 cups juice. Add the juice to the blender.
Make the strawberry mixture and strain. Add 1 cup plus 2 tablespoons granulated sugar and blend on high speed until the strawberries are puréed and the sugar is dissolved, 20 to 25 seconds. Pour the mixture through a fine-mesh strainer into a 2-quart or larger pitcher. Discard the contents of the strainer.
Add the water and serve over ice. Add 4 cups cold water to the pitcher and stir until thoroughly combined. Taste the strawberry lemonade; if it’s too intense, add more cold water 1/4 cup at a time as needed. Serve the strawberry lemonade over ice.
Recipe Notes
Storage: Leftover strawberry lemonade can be refrigerated for up to 4 days.
Filed in:
Beverages
How To
Make Ahead
uncooked
Cooking with Kids
children
