This is my easy and quick homemade strawberry lemonade recipe, it is made in the blender using lemons (skin and all), strawberries and honey. You can easily replace lemons with limes for strawberry limeade. One of things that my kids love about summer is lemonade. As soon as the weather starts to get warm enough to wear t-shirts and shorts, I start getting requests for lemonade, especially in the afternoons after school or summer camp. I have quick and efficient way to making lemonade or limeade: instead of squeezing a bunch of lemons or limes, I just blend a couple of them with water and sugar, strain and done, freshly made lemonade or limeade in minutes. Late spring and summer also mean strawberries, which my boys are also crazy about, so we made some homemade strawberry lemonade using my blender method.
Strawberry lemonade
Ingredients
- 1 ¼ lb strawberries washed & cut in halves, about 4 cups
- 2 lemons washed and quartered (use limes to make strawberry limeade)
- ~ ½- ¾ cup honey or sugar to taste adjust based on your preference and sweetness of strawberries
- 6 cups of water
- Ice
Garnishes:
- Strawberry slices lemon slices and/or fresh herbs (mint, lemon verbena, lemon balm, basil)
Instructions
- Blend the strawberries, lemons and honey with 2 cups of water
- Strain the strawberry lemon mix, add the additional 4 cups of water through the strainer
- Taste and add additional honey/sugar if needed
- Serve cold over ice and garnished with strawberry slices, lemon slices and herbs
Method 2 (this one helps make the straining easier and keeps all strawberry goodness):
- First blend only the strawberries with the honey and 1 cup of water. You don’t need to strain this, it’s better to keep all the strawberries goodness. Then place the blended strawberries mix in a pitcher.
- Then in the same blender, you don’t need to wash or rinse it, blend the quartered lemons with the 1-2 cups of water.
- Strain the lemon mix into the pitcher, mix well and add the rest of the water. Taste and adjust sweetness level if needed.
- Serve as indicated above.
Video
Notes
As I mentioned in the original recipe for limonada, this is the quickest way – and most efficient since you only use a couple of lemons – to make lemonade, however since you are blending entire lemons or limes, it does have a stronger taste than lemonade or limeade made by squeezing the citrus. Most people like the taste, but some find it too bitter. Lemonade made this way also needs to be consumed the same day as the bitterness increases with time – this part never seems to be a problem around here as it is usually gone within minutes of making it.
I used honey for this strawberry lemonade, I love the soft taste that the honey has and it goes really well with strawberries and lemons. You can use honey, sugar or your choice of sweetener. My husband actually likes it even without adding any sugar to it; the strawberries have a natural sweetness. When I make it sugarless it’s like a tasty strawberry lemon water. You can also replace the lemons with limes to make strawberry limeade.
This strawberry lemonade can also easily be turned into a refreshing summer cocktail, just add your choice of alcohol. I’ve turned this drink into a cocktail using vodka, tequila, rum and even cachaça – for a quick strawberry caipirihna. You can also mix the strained mixed with white wine or sparkling wine, instead of the additional 4 cups of water, for delicious strawberry sangria.
Step by step preparation photos for this strawberry lemonade blender recipe:
I made this with a defrosted strawberry mix (with mangos and pineapple), lemon, and coconut sugar be ause that’s what I had on hand. At the end I added sparkling water. Delicious. I will definitely try it with fresh strawberries and honey next time I hit the store!
Super tasty! I made this very successfully with lime instead of lemon today. (My partner loves dem limes.) It was a very big success, and even though it was slightly irritating to strain with the small strainer I have it was definitely worth it.
Super delicious! I altered the recipe a tad bit and added sparkling lemon flavored water and sparkling strawberry flavored water instead a just water.
Hi… I loved the idea.
I am Brazilian so I can tell you a little about those lemons and limes… When I make caipirinha with my brother we remove the fine green and yellow peel living the white and also remove the tough white rind in the middle. All the bitterness is gone. So, if someone done like the bitterness take a extra step and remove at least the middle tough white rind. Thanks for the great idea.
Your photos are beautiful!
I just made it was easy and taste delicious
I used agave syrup instead of honey… I liked the results a lot! But agave is a preference in general for me. :) Thanks for the recipe! I’ll be drinking this (and some tequila!) all week!
Curious, why agave?
I just made this today and it was delicious! If I make it again, I might try it with 1 lemon instead of 2 only to make it more strawberry tasting (I love strawberries!). I was a little surprised when I saw that you keep the lemon peels on , but you can’t even tell they’re in there. This would be a really great drink for kids to replace all the other bad stuff they drink with something natural.
Do you take the lemon out of the skin before blending?
No, blend it with the skin on.
what a refreshing combination ,i always make limeade with a splash of mint my kids adore this in the hot summer but i have a tip for u to overcome the bitterness of the drink if it stays u need to cut the 2 ends of the lime before blending try it u will not regret it i make a big jar of limeade that lasts for at least 3 days without getting bitter but be generous when cutting those ends because i learned from my mom that these ends are the cause of the bitterness hope its a good tip ,thanks for sharing your recipe
Are you using just a regular blender, or does it need to be super powerful like a Vitamix?
I have a regular blender.
I customized this recipe for one person. I used one cup strawberries one small lemon and about 11/2 tbsp. honey. Straining took while,but it was well worth it. I seriously thought I just ordered it from a restaurant, well almost and this recipe is way healthier!
It looks like I said 11/2, but I meant 1 and 1 half! lol
I gave it a shot, but didn’t take in pot consideration the type of strainer I had. Needless to say I had a lt of pulp in it, but it’s still good and healthy! Froze some to make frozen strawberry-lemonade Popsicles! Keep up the awesome recipes!
I can’t wait to try this for the fourth of july party were having hope its a hit:-)
Looks sooo good!! Can’t wait to try!! Thanks for sharing!! :)
How do you adjust the recipe for adding liquor?
You can either just spike it with your choice of liquor after it’s done (ie just add vodka for a strawberry vodka lemonade), or for a more concentrated cocktail replace some of the water with alcohol (for a frozen strawberry lemonade margarita you could replace the 4 cups of water with ice, tequila and triple sec). For a sangria version, replace the 4 cups of water that you add at the end with a bottle of white wine or bubbly – plus I would add some diced or sliced strawberries for the sangria option.
Totally just made ths for my kids to drink at dinner and it was YUMMY, YUMMY, YUMMY!!!! I did peel one of the lemons completely and left the skin on the 2nd one and WOW!!!!! DELISH. I can see us drinking ALOT of this, this summer
Very Yummy and Refreshing! Didn’t have correct type of mesh strainer so used the strainer I had with a cheesecloth and ran it through 4-5 times to get most of the pulp out. It was a little bitter until I did that. Well worth it.
I just made this and it is DELICIOUS! So making this again when I have a party!
ESTA limonada de fresa y limón es deliciosa, la cáscara amarga la limonada si se deja mucho tiempo.
Could I substitute a little bit of sprite for a portion of the water to give it a bit of zip?
Of course, you can also use sparkling water for sparkling version.
Just finished making this and it tastes vile!!!!
Ha ha i am kidding its beautiful and refreshing, i did use sweetener instead of honey and it still tastes delish but next time i am going to use honey and limes :-) love this thank you x
One urgent question…I would love to make this for a crowd, about 25 people. How many servings does this make? Should I quadruple it?
You get about 6-8 glasses, so quadrupling it would work for 25 people (and gives some extra for those who want refills).
Was that a whole lemon I saw you blended?
Yes, it is.
I plan to make this on Sunday for Easter. I have a Vitamix, so I have a feeling it will completely blend the peels (or close to it). If so, do you think it will be overly lemon-y?
It will be fine:)
how much does this recipe make?
About 6-8 cups.
So you blended the lemons with the peels on? Want to try this with raspberries. Sounds delish!!
Yes, everything is blended together (peels on).
Your photos are beautiful! I could sip a glass of strawberry lemonade right now!
I saw this on Pinterest and had to try it. It was AMAZING! Best lemonade I have ever had. I had to share it…. all credit given to you of course!
http://myfavoriteprettythings.blogspot.com/2013/03/pinterest-lunch-wonton-tacos-and-garlic.html
I made this and it was so delicious that I had to blog about it. I linked back to your website. I can’t wait to try more of your recipes.
http://allthingsyummyforfoodies.blogspot.com/2013/02/strawberry-lemonade.html
Hi Danielle – Thank you! Glad to hear you liked it!
I made this but I peeled the limes. It was a hit and I got to use up some of my frozen strawberries up too. I didn’t even have to thaw the strawberries and it was delicious. So easy.
Yum!! Can’t wait to try this!!
I was reading through the comments and you said you used a medium mesh strainer. I don’t have one but wanna try this recipe. Is it necessary to strain it?
Hi Nicole – It is necessary to strain it, especially as the lemon skin pieces are very bitter. If you would rather not strain out the strawberries you can blend the strawberries first and use it as is, and then blend the lemons after and only strain the lemon mix – any strainer will do. If you don’t have one, then let it rest a minute until thicker pieces drop to the bottom and then pour out the liquid, use a lid as a makeshift strainer to help keep the pieces out.
Thanks so much for the info! :-)
I’m going to make this and the Pineapple drink for Thanksgiving. All the food we’re making seems so heavy and thought this would lighten it all up! Your website is lovely and will have to share this with my friends. Can’t wait to try the Turkey Empanadas the week after Thanksgiving! Where would I the empanada shells?
Hi Charma – You can buy the empanada shells at most Latin grocery stores or also make them at home: https://www.laylita.com/recipes/2008/02/06/how-to-make-empanada-dough/
Hello!
Just featured your AMAZING Recipe on my Blog Post “10 Creative Party Food Ideas that will Make Any Party AMAZING!!”
You are so brilliant! Thanks for sharing your great ideas!
http://welivedhappilyeverafter.blogspot.com/2012/09/10-creative-party-food-ideas-that-will.html
Hi Hannah – Thanks for including the strawberry lemonade in your blog post!
This looks wonderful! I will definetly be trying this delicious recipe.
Made this today and it was a hit!!!! Thanks for sharing!
Can I use frozen strawberries?
Of course!
Looks great….but putting the lemons rind and all doesnt leave a bitter taste?
Nevermind :) Helps if i read the whole blog. I saw your comments about the bitter taste and being sure to drink it same day. Look forward to trying it.
love your photos! Very bright and colorful! Thanks for the recipe ;)
Want to make this soon but what did toy use to strain it. All I have is a regular colander which has holes larger than needed.
I used a medium mesh type strainer.
Hello Laylita! I just found your blog through Pinterest! I cannot believe how easy and delicious this recipie was!!! Thank you so much for all your great food recipies :) I do have a question though. I love the “juice” glasses in the pictures! Where did you get them? Thanks!
Hi Allison – I found those glasses at a local Seattle grocery store called Metropolitan market, they have a small kitchen section and had these glasses.
Just made this and didn’t think straining it would make a difference! I was shocked at how much left over there was.
do you put the entire lemon in? like peeling and all
Yes, peeling and all.
I love strawberries and this lemonade looks fantastic for a hot summer day!!!
Made it today! And it’s so goood!
I put a bit less honey- we like it a bit more sour :)
Thank you so much for this great recipe!
do you blend the lemons with the peel?
Yes, blend the entire lemon.
This was great! I’m not a big fan of lemonade, but I do like a citrusy flavor on all my fruit. And this, mor than strawberry lemonade was lemon strawberrade! La estoy bebiendo ahora mismo, esta buenisima.
Just made this for a family BBQ… everyone loved it!
Thank you!!!
I picked strawberries this morning and this recipe was in my mail box in the afternoon! Perfect way to use my really fresh strawberries – it’s delicious!
Sounds deliciously-refreshing!
I will try it this weekend! simple, amazing, and beautiful!