Description
Refreshingly cool, this sparkling strawberry lemonade is the perfect drink to quench your thirst on a hot summer day! 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.
Ingredients
- 1 cup fresh strawberries, stems and leaves removed
- 3/4 cup sugar (or more if you like it sweeter)
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice (from 1 lemon)
- 4 cups cold sparkling water
- Fresh mint
- 1 lime for decoration
- Ice
- Lemon slices and strawberry halves for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- 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 until the syrup has thickened slightly (about 5 – 6 minutes). (TIP: Do not overcook, or you will end up with strawberry jam.) Stir constantly. Remove from heat and let cool completely. Remove the cinnamon stick. Strain the puree through a fine mesh sieve (optional, for a smoother drink).
- Prepare Lemonade: In a large pitcher, combine a few tablespoons of strawberry syrup, fresh lemon juice, and sparkling water. Add lime slices and stir well.
- Chill Before Serving: Chill the sparkling strawberry lemonade in the fridge.
- Garnish and Serve: Pour the lemonade into glasses, then garnish with fresh strawberries, fresh mint and slices of lemon or lime.
Notes
Strawberries: I used fresh strawberries, but frozen strawberries will work too.
Sugar: I used white sugar is to make the strawberry 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.
- Prep Time: 10 mins
- Cook Time: 10 mins
- Category: Drinks
