Sparkling Strawberry Lemonade (Gluten-Free, Vegan)

Refreshingly cool, this sparkling strawberry lemonade is the perfect drink to quench your thirst on hot summer days! Made with a homemade strawberry syrup, fresh lemon juice, and sparkling water, you’ll want to drink this delicious beverage all summer long! Naturally gluten-free and vegan too.

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Refreshing Lemonade to Beat the Summer Heat

When it’s swelteringly hot during these warm summer months, there’s nothing that feels quite as refreshing and as thirst-quenching as lemonade.

Today, instead of classic lemonade, we’re making a version with strawberries, and using sparkling water to really jazz up this homemade lemonade.

Think sweet strawberry syrup, tart lemon juice and effervescent bubbles that create a beautiful and refreshing summer drink! Serve it at your summer parties, baby showers, brunch, or any special occasion!

Why You’ll Love this Recipe:

• Simple Ingredients: The few ingredients required for this strawberry sparkling lemonade are easily accessible at the local grocery store.
• Easy to Make: Preparing this homemade strawberry lemonade is super simple, and you can even prep the strawberry syrup ahead of time!
• Totally Gluten-Free & Vegan: The best part is that this strawberry sparkling lemonade is 100% gluten-free and vegan, which means that even those with Celiac disease or gluten or lactose intolerances, or those simply on a gluten-free diet or vegan diet can enjoy it without issues!

Ingredients You’ll Need:

Here’s a visual overview of the ingredients required for making this easy sparkling strawberry lemonade.

(For exact measurements, please scroll down to the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.)

Recipe Notes + Substitutions:

• Strawberries: I used fresh strawberries, but frozen strawberries will work too.
• Sugar: I used white sugar is to make the simple syrup. However, you may also use cane sugar or light brown sugar if you prefer.
• Cinnamon: I’ve used a cinnamon stick to flavor the homemade strawberry syrup, but you may leave it out if you’re not a fan of the taste of cinnamon.
• Lemon Juice: For the best flavor, I recommend using freshly squeezed lemon juice. I do NOT recommend using bottled lemon juice.
• Sparkling Water: Sparkling water (carbonated water) is not the same as club soda or soda water. I’ve used sparkling water, but you can also use club soda if you prefer the taste.
• Garnishing: To garnish this sparkling strawberry lemonade, I’ve used fresh mint leaves, lime slices, and strawberry halves. But you can also skip the garnish if you prefer.

How to Make Sparkling Strawberry Lemonade:

Blend Strawberries: Place the washed strawberries in a high-speed blender and blend them until you get a smooth mixture.

Make Strawberry Syrup: In a small saucepan, combine the pureed strawberries with sugar and cinnamon. Bring to a boil and then reduce the heat to low. Cook the strawberry mixture until it has thickened slightly (approx. 5 – 6 minutes). Stir constantly. Remove the strawberry syrup from heat and let cool completely. Remove the cinnamon stick. Strain the puree through a fine mesh sieve (optional, for a smoother drink).

Dish by Dish Tips:

• Do Not Overcook Syrup: Make sure not to overcook the strawberry syrup, or you will end up with strawberry jam (LOL!).
• Strain Syrup: I recommend straining the cooked strawberry puree through a fine mesh sieve for a smoother lemonade.
• Make Ahead: You can easily prepare the strawberry syrup a few days ahead (and then store it in a mason jar in the refrigerator until ready to use). Then combine the syrup with fresh lemon juice and sparkling water when ready to serve.
• Use Other Berries: I’ve use strawberries to make strawberry lemonade, but you can swap them out for other types of berries (blackberries, blueberries, raspberries, etc.).