As the dog days of summer arrive, everyone seeks refreshing ways to cool off and beat the heat. Today, we're featuring a delightful homemade strawberry lemonade recipe—a perfect iced drink for hot summer days. This healthier, flavorful twist on traditional lemonade uses the whole lemon and fresh strawberries, making it a nutritious and tasty beverage for outdoor gatherings, picnics, or a casual summer refreshment. Quick and easy to prepare, this strawberry lemonade will quickly become your go-to summer drink.
A Brief History of Lemonade
Lemonade has ancient origins dating back to Egypt and Persia, where it was enjoyed as a cooling, medicinal beverage. During the Middle Ages, it spread across Europe as a luxurious summer drink made from lemon juice, honey, and water. In the United States, lemonade gained popularity in the 19th century, especially at fairs and summer events. Today, homemade lemonade remains a classic summer staple—perfect for staying refreshed and hydrated in the heat.
Enjoy this fresh, natural, and invigorating strawberry lemonade recipe, and make your summer days cooler and more delicious!
The Recipe
Ingredients:
- About 1.25 lbs Fresh, Organic Strawberries. (Washed and cut in half.)
- Two lemons. (Washed and cut into quarters, leave rind and seeds intact.)
- 1/2 to 3/4 cup honey or pure cane sugar to taste.
- 6 Cups of Water.
- Ice.
Instructions:
- Add the strawberries, honey or sugar and 1 cup of water to your Vitamix blender. Blend these ingredients until liquified.
- Pour the liquified strawberry mixture into a pitcher and return the jar to the blender.
- Add the lemons and an additional 2 cups of water, leave the quartered lemons intact for this.
- Blend until the consistency is light enough for the mixture to be strained.
- Strain the lemon/water mixture into the pitcher of strawberry mixture and stir to promote a good strain.
- Taste and adjust the sweetness level if need be.
- Serve over ice and garnish with strawberry slices, lemon slices and/or fresh herbs like mint.
- OPTIONAL: if a frozen drink is desired simple add ice to the finished lemonade and return to the blender. Blend until the mixture is at the desired consistency.
- OPTIONAL: To make this into summertime cocktail simply add your choice of alcohol and stir (or add to blender before making iced drink). You can use vodka, tequila, rum or even cachaça for a sweet caipirihna.
It's really as simple as that. Feel free to share with us the special ways that you have found to make this a personalized recipe, we look forward to hearing about it!
