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June 22, 2021

Strawberry Lemonade (Restaurant Style)

There is nothing like fresh Strawberry Lemonade. If you are craving something cold and refreshing, this is it! Adding fresh strawberries to Classic Lemonade makes it sweet and tangy.

This is my favorite restaurant drink and I especially love getting those bits of fresh strawberry in the straw. It’s actually very easy to make it at home for a fraction of the price.

Strawberry Lemonade in mason jar with pitcher of strawberry lemonade in background

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Strawberry Lemonade Recipe

Strawberry Lemonade makes for a great party drink. If you have a bunch of lemons and prefer to make lemonade from scratch, you can start with fresh-squeezed lemonade. For a larger crowd, there’s no shame in pulling a can of store-bought lemonade out of the freezer. You’ll find instructions below for both methods.

Homemade lemonade (1 recipe makes 10 cups), or Frozen Concentrate*
Strawberries – blend until smooth to add fresh strawberry taste and rosy color.
Basil – this is optional, but a small handful of basil adds exciting flavor.
Lemon Slices – add 1 slice to each glass for garnish if desired.
Ice – add the ice as needed and add just before serving so it doesn’t dilute the lemonade.

*If using Frozen Lemonade: Use a 12 oz can of frozen Lemonade Concentrate and prepare according to the package instructions. This is typically 1 can of concentrate mixed with 4 1/3 cans of water.

Ingredients for Strawberry Lemonade with Basil

How to Make Strawberry Lemonade

Make lemonade – prepare homemade lemonade or from concentrate and pour lemonade into a pitcher.
Strawberries – combine 3/4 of your strawberries with a small handful of basil in a good blender or food processor and blend until smooth.
Combine – stir strawberry basil mixture into lemonade.
To Serve – pour lemonade over glasses of ice and garnish with remaining strawberries and lemon slices.

Pro Tip: For ice-cold lemonade, keep the lemonade pitcher refrigerated until ready to serve then pour over glasses with some ice just before serving. The ice won’t melt as quickly if your lemonade is chilled to begin with.

Ice cold lemonade with lemon slices and strawberries

Tips for the Best Strawberry Lemonade

We’ve all been there, you’re desperately thirsty and want to gulp down that strawberry lemonade but there’s a strawberry lodged in the straw. If you are going to be drinking through a straw or using a drink dispenser, you will want to:

Blend strawberries really well so they don’t get stuck in your straw and won’t clog up the spout on a drink dispenser.
Strain if desired – if you want a super smooth and pulp-free lemonade, you can strain the strawberry puree before adding it to the lemonade. We love the pulp so we never strain it.
Add ice to the glasses (not the pitcher) so you don’t dilute your lemonade

Can I use Frozen Strawberries?

Yes! You can still enjoy strawberry lemonade in winter by substituting it with frozen strawberries. Frozen strawberries in sugar will also work but keep in mind the syrup is very sweet so you may need to add more water to your finished lemonade.

You can also experiment with different berries to make Raspberry Lemonade, a sparkling Cherry Lemonade, or even Blackberry Limeade.

Strawberry lemonade with frozen strawberries

More Refreshing Drinks

Try these thirst-quenching awesome Summer drinks. We’re particularly smitten with the fizzy bubbly drinks, which are always crowd pleasers!

Lemonade – so crisp and refreshing
Cranberry Pineapple Punch – a favorite year-round
Iced Coffee keeps well in the fridge for weeks
Raspberry Sherbet Punch – always disappears fast
Brazilian Lemonade – a limeade flavor sensation
Flavored Water – healthy and guilt-free

Strawberry Lemonade Recipe (Restaurant Style)

5 from 22 votes

Author: Natasha of NatashasKitchen.com

Strawberry lemonade with lemon and strawberry slices

Fresh homemade Strawberry Lemonade will satisfy the craving for something cold and refreshing. Adding strawberries and basil to classic lemonade is brilliant!

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Prep Time: 15

Total Time: 15

Ingredients

Servings: people

10 cups lemonade, (or 12 oz can frozen lemonade*)
1/2 lb strawberries, washed and hulled
1 lemon, sliced for garnish
1/4 cup fresh basil , (a small handful, lightly packed), optional
Ice, as needed to serve

Instructions

Pour lemonade into a pitcher. Set aside 4 strawberries to slice for garnish if desired. Cut the remaining strawberries in half.
Use a blender or food processor to blend together the halved strawberries and basil leaves until smooth.
Stir strawberry mixture, remaining sliced strawberries and lemon slices into the lemonade and serve over glasses filled with ice.

Notes

*If using 1 (12 oz) can frozen Lemonade, prepare according to package instructions on the can: 1 can of concentrate mixed with 4 1/3 cans of water.

Nutrition Per Serving

130kcal Calories33g Carbs1g Protein1g Fat1g Saturated Fat1g Polyunsaturated Fat1g Monounsaturated Fat15mg Sodium51mg Potassium1g Fiber29g Sugar37IU Vitamin A19mg Vitamin C7mg Calcium1mg Iron

Nutrition Facts

Strawberry Lemonade Recipe (Restaurant Style)

Amount per Serving

Calories

130

% Daily Value*

Fat

Saturated Fat

Polyunsaturated Fat

Monounsaturated Fat

Sodium

Potassium

Carbohydrates

Fiber

Sugar

Protein

Vitamin A

Vitamin C

Calcium

Iron

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Course: Beverage

Cuisine: American

Keyword: strawberry lemonade

Skill Level: Easy

Cost to Make: $5

Calories: 130

This strawberry lemonade recipe was first published in 2012 and here is the original photo. We updated the photos and added instructions for using fresh or frozen lemonade.

This refreshing Strawberry Basil Lemonade served in mason jar with straw

Natasha Kravchuk

Welcome to my kitchen! I am Natasha, the blogger behind Natasha's Kitchen (since 2009). My husband and I run this blog together and share only our best, family approved and tested recipes with YOU. Thanks for stopping by! We are so happy you're here.