Black Pepper Free Lemonade Berry Infused Water
Bright, tangy, and flushed with the natural sweetness of fresh strawberries, this drink is the kind of thing you want to sip slowly on a warm afternoon. Maple syrup stands in for refined sugar, lending a gentle depth that pairs beautifully with the sharp hit of freshly squeezed lemon juice. The real magic happens when the berries steep in that warm syrup — they release their juice and color, turning the whole pitcher a gorgeous rosy pink before you've even added the water. A splash of sparkling water right before serving keeps things lively and effervescent without any fuss. For anyone avoiding spice-heavy beverages or navigating sensitivity to common flavor additives, this recipe is naturally clean — every ingredient is exactly what it says it is, nothing hidden. Garnish with a mint sprig and a lemon wheel and it looks like something from a fancy brunch spread, even though it comes together in well under an hour.
About FigFig is a food discovery app that helps you find foods and recipes that fit your dietary needs. Whether you have food allergies, intolerances, or follow a specific diet, Fig makes it easy to eat with confidence.
Learn more →Ingredients
4 servings
For the simple syrup
- ¼ cup maple syrup
- ¼ cup water
For the infused water
- 1 cup fresh strawberries, hulled and halved
- ½ cup fresh lemon juice (from about 4 lemons)
- 4 cups cold still water
- 1 cup sparkling water
For serving
- 2 cups ice cubes
- 4 lemon slices (optional)
- 4 fresh mint sprigs (optional)
Instructions
- 1
Combine the maple syrup and 1/4 cup water in a small saucepan over medium heat, stirring until the syrup is fully dissolved, about 2 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool to room temperature, about 15 minutes.
- 2
Add the hulled and halved strawberries to the cooled maple syrup and press gently with a spoon to release their juice. Let the berries steep for 15 minutes, then strain through a fine-mesh strainer into a large pitcher, pressing the solids to extract as much liquid as possible. Discard the solids.
Want the full recipe?
Create a Fig account for step-by-step instructions, access to our full recipe library, and more!