MSG Free Classic Strawberry Lemonade
Bright, fruity, and refreshingly tart, this strawberry lemonade is the kind of drink that makes any afternoon feel like a celebration. Every drop of flavor comes from real ingredients — fresh-squeezed lemon juice, ripe strawberries, and simple sugar — so you know exactly what's going into your glass. That matters more than people realize, because many store-bought lemonades and flavored drink mixes sneak in additives and flavor enhancers that have no business being in something this straightforward. The homemade strawberry syrup is the real star here: simmered until the berries release their deep, jammy juices, then strained into a silky, jewel-toned liquid that swirls beautifully through the lemonade. Balancing the syrup with fresh citrus keeps the whole drink lively rather than cloying, and you can nudge the sweetness up or down to suit your taste. Poured over ice with a few strawberry slices or lemon rounds on the rim, it looks like something from a fancy café — but it comes together entirely in your own kitchen with nothing but whole, clean ingredients.
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Learn more →Ingredients
6 servings
For the strawberry syrup
- 1 cup fresh strawberries, hulled and halved
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup water
For the lemonade
- 1 cup fresh lemon juice (from about 6–8 lemons)
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 4 cups cold water
For serving
- ice, for serving
- fresh strawberry slices or lemon rounds, for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- 1
Combine the strawberries, 1/2 cup sugar, and 1/2 cup water in a small saucepan over medium heat. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the sugar dissolves and the strawberries soften and release their juices, about 5–7 minutes.
- 2
Remove the pan from the heat and let the syrup cool for 5 minutes, then pour it through a fine-mesh strainer into a bowl or measuring cup, pressing the solids with the back of a spoon to extract as much liquid as possible. Discard the solids. Let the syrup cool to room temperature, about 20–25 minutes.
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