In a nod to seasonal produce, this fresh, sweet, and zesty Strawberry Mint Lemonade is a gorgeously refreshing drink for summer picnics.
A quick and easy recipe that will add a dash of homemade charm to any picnic or summer get-together. Whip it up in around half an hour.
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Like my homemade lemonade recipe, this seasonal strawberry version is easily adaptable and versatile. It’s a lovely drink for kids’ picnics, or you might want to add a dash of alcohol to make a Strawberry Cocktail for a romantic picnic date – it’s certainly very on theme for a Valentine’s picnic idea.
Ingredients
See my recipe card below for a complete list of the ingredients with measurements and notes.
Recipe Variations and Substitutions
- Make a Strawberry Lemonade Cocktail: For an adult twist, add a splash of vodka or your favorite spirit to make a refreshing strawberry lemonade cocktail. A simple mix of 1 cup lemonade with a ¼ cup vodka can make for a tangy and easy-to-drink picnic cocktail, a great idea for birthday celebration picnics.
- Sparkling Lemonade: To give your strawberry lemonade a refreshingly fizzy lift, use all soda water or sparkling mineral water. Or make a half, half mix of sparkling and flat water for a subtle fizz.
- Adjust Sweetness: Add more or less water (sparkling or still) depending on the sweetness and intensity of flavor you want.
- Mint: If you don’t like the mint flavor, simply leave it out when making the simple syrup.
Step by Step Instructions
Step 1: In a blender, mix strawberries, 3 tablespoons of sugar, and vanilla extract. Blend until you get a thick juice. Set aside.
Step 2: Cut the lemons in half and use a juicer to extract the juice.
Strain to remove any seeds or pulp.
Step 3: Put sugar, water, and mint leaves in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium heat. Once boiling, reduce heat to low and stir frequently.
Allow the syrup to thicken slightly for about 6-7 minutes.
Allow the simple syrup to cool completely before adding to the strawberry lemonade.
Step 4: Add the strawberry puree, lemon syrup, and cooled simple syrup to a large jug. Add lime and lemon slices, strawberries, and fresh mint.
Step 5: Add ice and sparkling water or cold mineral water.
Note: If you want a sweeter lemonade, add only a little water or sparkling water. More if you like a lighter lemonade.
Tip for serving cold Strawberry Lemonade at a picnic: If serving this drink at a picnic, you can blend the strawberry syrup, lemon syrup, and cooled simple syrup and add sparkling or natural water and garnishes at the picnic so it is fresh.
Lemonade should be served icy cold. Pre-chill your lemonade and transport it in a large insulated drink bottle to keep it cold. Use another insulated chiller jug for ice. Pour the lemonade over ice at the picnic.
I don’t like to put the ice in the same container as the lemonade as it can dilute it. This also gives you ice for other drinks.
Expert Tips
- Strain the Strawberry Puree: If you don’t want any seeds in your lemonade, strain the strawberry syrup through a fine sieve before adding the lemon and simple syrup.
- Simple Syrup for Consistency: Some recipes give shortcuts by dissolving the sugar directly into the lemon juice or using warm water. Making the simple syrup ensures that your lemonade is smooth and not grainy. The syrup prevents sugar crystals from settling at the bottom of your pitcher.
- Storage and Make-ahead Tips: Strawberry lemonade can be made and stored in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. You can also freeze the lemon juice, the strawberry puree, and simple syrup and defrost them as needed to make a fresh batch.
- Serve it Super Chilled: Lemonade is best served super chilled.
Related Picnic Ideas
Did you try this Blended Strawberry Mint Lemonade?
Please leave me a ⭐ rating below and let me know in the comments how you enjoyed it.
Blended Strawberry Mint Lemonade
Ingredients
- 2 ½ cups strawberries - washed and hulled
- 3 tbsp granulated sugar
- 2 cups fresh lemon juice - about 4 lemons
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Simple Syrup
- 2 cups water
- 4 mint leaves
- 2 cups granulated sugar
Garnish
- 1 lime - sliced
- 1 lemon - sliced
- ½ bunch mint leaves
- ¼ cup strawberries - washed, hulled and halved
- sparkling water or cold natural water - add acoring to taste
Instructions
- In a blender, mix strawberries, 3 tablespoons of sugar, and vanilla extract. Blend until you get a thick juice. Set aside.
- Cut the lemons in half and use a juicer to extract the juice. Strain to remove any seeds or pulp.
- Put sugar, water, and mint leaves in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium heat. Once boiling, reduce heat to low and stir frequently. Allow the syrup to thicken slightly for about 6-7 minutes. Let the simple syrup to cool completely before adding to the strawberry lemonade.
- In a large jug, add the strawberry syrup, lemon syrup, and cooled simple syrup. Add slices of lime and lemon, pieces of strawberries, and fresh mint.
- Add ice and sparkling water or cold mineral water. Note: If you want a sweeter lemonade, add only a little water or sparkling water. More if you like a lighter lemonade.
Notes
- Make a Strawberry Lemonade Cocktail: For an adult twist, add a splash of vodka or your favorite spirit to make a refreshing strawberry lemonade cocktail. A simple mix of 1 cup lemonade with a ¼ cup vodka can make for a tangy and easy-to-drink picnic cocktail, a great idea for birthday celebration picnics.
- Sparkling Lemonade: To give your strawberry lemonade a refreshingly fizzy lift, use all soda water or sparkling mineral water. Or make a half, half mix of sparkling and flat water for a subtle fizz.
- Adjust Sweetness: Add more or less water (sparkling or still) depending on the sweetness and intensity of flavor you want.
- Strain the Strawberry Puree: To prevent seeds from entering your lemonade, strain the strawberry syrup through a fine sieve before adding the lemon and simple syrup.
- Simple Syrup for Consistency: Some recipes give shortcuts by dissolving the sugar directly into the lemon juice or using warm water. Making the simple syrup ensures that your lemonade is smooth and not grainy. The syrup prevents sugar crystals from settling at the bottom of your pitcher.
- Storage and Make-ahead Tips: Strawberry lemonade can be made and stored in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. You can also freeze the lemon juice, the strawberry puree, and simple syrup and defrost them as needed to make a fresh batch.
- Serve it Super Chilled: Lemonade is best served super chilled.
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