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Strawberry Lemonade Refresher

There's something magical about that first sip of ice-cold strawberry lemonade on a scorching summer afternoon. This homemade refresher combines fresh strawberry puree, tangy lemon juice, and adjustable sweetness for a perfectly balanced, hydrating summer beverage ready in under 10 minutes.
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Prep Time 8 minutes
Total Time 8 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Drinks and Beverages
Cuisine: American
Calories: 95
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Main
  • Fresh strawberries: 1.5 pounds about 15 to 18 medium berries, hulled and halved
  • Fresh lemon juice: 3/4 cup juice from about 4 to 5 fresh lemons
  • Filtered water: 4 cups cold or room temperature
  • Granulated sugar: 1/3 cup adjust to taste preference
  • Ice cubes: 2 cups or frozen strawberry puree cubes
  • Fresh mint leaves: 8 to 10 leaves optional garnish
  • Lemon slices: 4 to 6 optional garnish

Equipment

  • Blender or food processor
  • Fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth
  • Cutting board and sharp knife
  • Large pitcher (2-quart capacity minimum)
  • Wooden spoon or whisk for stirring
  • Measuring cups and spoons
  • Glasses for serving

Method
 

  1. Remove the green leafy tops from each strawberry by twisting them off or using a small knife to cut them out. Rinse the berries gently under cool water and pat them dry with a paper towel, then cut them in half so they blend smoothly.
  2. Add the halved strawberries to your blender and blend on high speed for about 30 to 45 seconds until you have a smooth puree with no chunks remaining.
  3. Pour the strawberry puree through a fine mesh strainer lined with cheesecloth into a bowl, pressing gently with the back of a spoon to push all the liquid through, removing seeds and pulp.
  4. Cut the lemons in half and juice them using a citrus juicer or by hand, pressing firmly and twisting to extract every drop until you have 3/4 cup of fresh lemon juice.
  5. Pour the 4 cups of cold water into a large pitcher and add the 1/3 cup of granulated sugar. Stir vigorously for about one minute until the sugar dissolves completely.
  6. Add the strained strawberry juice to the pitcher with the sugar water and stir well until fully combined.
  7. Pour in the fresh lemon juice and stir thoroughly. Taste and adjust sweetness or tartness by adding more sugar or lemon juice as desired.
  8. Add ice cubes or frozen strawberry puree cubes to the pitcher or individual glasses. Pour the refresher over ice and garnish with fresh mint leaves or lemon slices, then serve immediately while it is perfectly cold.

Notes

Pro Tip: Make strawberry puree ice cubes the night before by blending extra strawberries with a splash of water, pouring into ice cube trays, and freezing to keep the drink cold without diluting it.