Description
A refreshing, naturally sweetened summer drink made with fresh strawberries, lemon juice, and mint. This vibrant pink beverage is easy to make, gluten-free, vegan, and perfect for parties or hot days.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1.5 pounds fresh strawberries, hulled
- 1 cup water (for blending)
- 1 cup fresh lemon juice (about 6–8 lemons)
- 1/2 to 3/4 cup honey or simple syrup (adjust to taste)
- 1 large bunch fresh mint leaves (about 1 cup loosely packed)
- 4–5 cups cold water (for dilution)
- 1–2 cups sparkling water or club soda (optional)
- Ice cubes
Instructions
- Wash and hull the strawberries. If large, chop them in half.
- In a blender, combine strawberries, 1 cup of water, and half of the mint leaves. Blend on high until smooth (about 60 seconds).
- Place a fine-mesh strainer over a large bowl or pitcher. Pour the blended mixture through the strainer, pressing with a spoon to extract all the juice. Discard the pulp.
- Add the fresh lemon juice and honey/simple syrup to the pitcher. Stir well until the sweetener is dissolved.
- Taste and adjust sweetness or tartness as needed.
- Add 4-5 cups of cold water to reach desired strength. Stir well.
- Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to let flavors meld.
- To serve, fill glasses with ice. Pour the lemonade over the ice.
- Add sparkling water if desired.
- Garnish with a sprig of fresh mint and a slice of strawberry or lemon.
Notes
Use ripe, fragrant strawberries for the best flavor. Freshly squeezed lemon juice is essential; bottled juice tastes metallic. If using honey, warm it slightly with a little water to make it mixable, or make a simple syrup ahead of time. Do not add sparkling water until serving time to preserve carbonation. For a boozy version, add 2 ounces of vodka or gin per serving.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Beverages
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 glass
- Calories: 65
- Sugar: 14
- Sodium: 2
- Fat: 0.2
- Carbohydrates: 16
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 0.5
Keywords: strawberry lemonade, mint lemonade, summer drinks, party drinks, gluten-free, vegan, homemade lemonade, refreshing drinks