Description
Refreshing and zesty Strawberry Mint Lemonade made with fresh strawberries, mint leaves, and freshly squeezed lemon juice. This homemade lemonade balances sweetness with citrus tang and herbaceous mint, perfect for a cool summer drink.
Ingredients
Syrup
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup water
- 1 cup fresh mint leaves
Lemonade
- 3-4 cups water (divided)
- 1 cup lemon juice (from about 5 lemons, divided)
- 1 1/2 cups fresh strawberries
Garnish
- Lemon slices
- Fresh mint leaves
- Fresh strawberries, sliced
Instructions
- Make the Mint Simple Syrup: Combine 3/4 cup granulated sugar, 1 cup water, and 1 cup fresh mint leaves in a medium saucepan. Bring the mixture to a low boil over medium heat, stirring occasionally until the sugar completely dissolves. Reduce heat and let it simmer for 1 minute to infuse the mint flavor.
- Steep the Syrup: Remove the saucepan from heat and allow the syrup to steep with the mint leaves for 30 minutes. This helps intensify the mint essence in the syrup.
- Strain the Syrup: After steeping, pour the syrup through a fine mesh strainer into a mason jar or bottle, discarding the mint leaves or reserving some for garnish.
- Prepare the Strawberry Lemon Base: In a blender, combine 1/4 cup of freshly squeezed lemon juice with 1 1/2 cups fresh strawberries. Blend until smooth. Pour the blended mixture through a strainer into a pitcher to remove berry seeds if you prefer a smoother texture, or leave seeds in for extra texture.
- Mix the Lemonade: Add the remaining 3/4 cup lemon juice and 2 to 3 cups of cold water to the pitcher with strawberry puree. Stir well to combine all flavors.
- Add Mint Syrup and Chill: Pour in the prepared mint simple syrup to taste (the recipe suggests using the entire batch), stir well, and refrigerate the lemonade for at least 3 hours or up to overnight for optimal flavor melding.
- Serve: Serve the chilled strawberry mint lemonade over ice. Garnish with lemon slices, fresh strawberries, and sprigs of mint for an appealing presentation and extra flavor.
Notes
- Adjust the sweetness by adding more or less mint simple syrup according to your taste preferences.
- If you prefer a less sweet drink, reduce the sugar in the simple syrup or dilute with more water.
- You can prepare the simple syrup and steep it in advance to save time.
- For a fizzy version, substitute some or all of the water with sparkling water when serving.
- The lemonade keeps well refrigerated for 2-3 days but is best enjoyed fresh.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Beverages
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
