This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, see our privacy policy.
Easy, homemade strawberry lemonade, from scratch. It's super refreshing, incredibly delicious and truly the "essence" of summer!
It was destined to be a "strawberry" birthday, long before the day arrived. No one complained. With strawberry cake and strawberry lemonade it was a delicious, delightful day indeed!
What do you want for your birthday? "Strawberry cake". "Anything else?" "No, just strawberry cake."
That's what our little Emmy Kate started telling us way back in January, three months before her third birthday! She never veered from that decision, despite lots of opportunities to change her sweet little mind.
"Who do you want to make the cake?" "Gigi!" - that's me, although since then, she's shortened it to Geeg. I love it. These grandkids can call me anything they want, I've been Gaga, Grammy, Gammy, Gappy and for awhile, one of them even called me Crappy, while she was first learning to talk. Oh well, could be worse. I guess.
So, strawberry cake it was, and Emmy was quite happy when I sent her a picture of the pretty, pink cake the morning of her birthday. She was thrilled when party time arrived and just ready to burst, as we lit the candles on the cake. After all those months, the beloved strawberry cake was finally a reality!
That was back in March and I've been waiting patiently for strawberry season to arrive, to share the cake with all of you. It's prime strawberry time right now where we live, here in North Carolina, and everywhere north of here isn't far behind. The cake recipe can be found here, but there was another delicious strawberry recipe that day. I'll let my daughter-in-law Lindsay tell you about it...
As children tend to do, our daughter Emery talked about her birthday for months before she turned three. Her only request was always the same - a strawberry cake made by Gigi.
She loves strawberries and will eat a pound by herself within a couple days. We decided to keep it simple this year, and celebrated with both sides of the family. We had everyone over for lunch - grilled burgers and a big salad.
I decided to go with the strawberry theme and make a special drink for the birthday girl.
She was thrilled with this Strawberry Lemonade, and I was thrilled at how easy and delicious it was! I was able to put it together in minutes the morning of the party. So delicious and so pretty! As Emmy says it's, "Good for the blog!" - Lindsay
Indeed! I took the first sip of Lindsay's delicious lemonade and knew that it was definitely a "Good for the blog." recipe!
So keep your eyes peeled for that first lovely sign that says, "Strawberries for sale." and pick up some of those beautiful, delicious berries. Or better yet, set aside an hour or two and pick your own!
There's nothing in the world like fresh, local strawberries. And there's not much I can think of more delicious and refreshing than this Strawberry Lemonade - enjoy!
Here are some of the things I used to prepare and present this Strawberry Lemonade:
- 1 ½ cups water
- 1 cup sugar
- For the strawberry puree:
- 2 cups fresh sliced strawberries
- 1 cup cold water
- finely grated zest of 1 lemon
- 1 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 1 cup cold water
- lemon slices and sliced strawberries
- ice
-
For the simple syrup, microwave water in a microwave-safe 4-cup glass measuring cup at HIGH 1 minute and 30 seconds or until very hot. Add sugar and stir until well combined. Microwave on HIGH for 2 additional minutes. Stir until sugar is dissolved and mixture becomes a clear syrup. Set aside to cool.
-
Add strawberries and 1 cup cold water to a blender container. Pulse until the mixture is fairly smooth.
-
Add lemon zest, lemon juice and 1 cup cold water to a half-gallon pitcher. Stir in the strawberry puree and simple syrup until well combined.
-
Add lemon and strawberry slices and ice.
-
Taste and add more cold water if needed. Serve over ice.
Adapted from a recipe by Alaska from Scratch
Susan says
I definitely want to make this when our local berries arrive next month! What a sweetheart you granddaughter is, Chris!
Laura | Tutti Dolci says
So pretty, Chris! I could sip on this all summer long (and just picked up some farmstand strawberries, so now I know just what I'm making this afternoon!)
Anne@ASaladForAllSeasons says
Chris...I'm patiently awaiting strawberry picking at my local farm in a few weeks. But I will be sure to turn some of them in to this really pretty drink! Gorgeous color and I bet it's so sweet and fresh. Your granddaughter is GORGEOUS! And let me say.......you can make my birthday cake any day! That strawberry cake looks amazing! : )
Sara says
She's SO adorable, and this lemonade looks so refreshing! My daughter is turning 3 in June and I think we'll have to put this on the menu!
Wendy says
Simply gorgeous. The lemonade, the sweet birthday girl, and her perfectly pink cake! My daughter and I are going strawberry picking this Saturday, so I should have plenty of berries to make this blog-worthy drink! 🙂 I am glad I wasn't drinking when I read your list of names. You must have laughed every time you answered to "Crappy"!
Hafsa says
very refreshing drink. Thanks for sharing I love your blog. 🙂
Chris Scheuer says
Thank you Hafsa! So glad you enjoyed it!
Karen C says
This is delicious! Beautiful too. Perfect timing as our temps are climbing to the high 80's today. Love the looks of it in the glass pitcher.
Debra Eliotseats says
What a perfect day! I love strawberry season and we have been picking just enough for a fresh treat after dinner each night. Last night it was fresh berries with a dollop of creme fraiche and a dash of cinnamon!
John/Kitchen Riffs says
Love strawberry season! So MANY good things to make. Got to do this lemonade, though -- looks so lovely. Really fun post. And now you have me craving strawberry cake, too!
sue|theviewfromgreatisland says
What a charmed life your little one has with a grandma like you Chris! My youngest daughter always asks for a strawberry cake for her birthday, which is coming up --- I'm going to make this gorgeous lemonade to go with ti --- pinning and sharing!
Karen (Back Road Journal) says
What a pretty pink drink for the birthday girl, I know she must have enjoyed it with her strawberry cake. Definitely good for the blog.
Jennifer @ Seasons and Suppers says
What a stunning drink! Perfect summer refresher and love the pictures of the cake and your granddaughter 🙂
Adina says
Such a pretty little girl! And Gaga is good 🙂 🙂 The lemonade looks perfect, I think my kids would love it as well, they eat lots of strawberries too, especially those growing in their own Gaga's garden.
Kimberly Killebrew says
THAT is the most perfect strawberry lemonade I've ever seen, so vibrantly rich in color! Such adorable memories of your granddaughter and I love "Geeg", too 🙂
Kelly says
WOW. This one is a keeper! I just whipped this up with ingredients on hand because we were out of all drinks and it's hot. So I did use frozen strawberries because that's all we had. Actually I am out of cane sugar too so I used powdered sugar and just whizzed everything in the vitamix. My daughter had squeezed a bunch of lemons the other day to make lemonade and then we were out of sugar. So that lemon juice was cold and ready. This was a fabulous strawberry lemonade slushie. We will make it again and again!!
Karen C says
I'm making this tomorrow. I have fresh strawberries from the Farmer's Market and bags and bags of fresh lemon ice cubes from our lemon tree.
Chris, it is so nice to see the little ones growning up and I always admire the way they are dressed. I love that your daughter puts bows in their hair. You don't see that much anymore. Every little girl should have a bow in her hair!
My mom used to dress me well too, and she always bought me a stuffed animal for each outfit that matched. I have a picture of me at three years old, dressed in a cute pant suit that was a golden orange with swiss ribbon as trim. My matching stuffed animal was Pluto and I was holding him proudly. I did not have a ribbon in my hair, but a matching hat. So adorable.
Chris Scheuer says
Such a sweet comment Karen! I love those pretty hair bows too, sounds like your mom loved you so much!
That's awesome that you have everything to make the lemonade! Hope your enjoy it!
Jenna says
Your photos have me drooling Chris, I swear I can almost taste this cool drink! I am Gigi to my grands too, and this Sat we are having a small birthday lunch for them before they go to the oldest ones Star Wars birthday party in the park. I am going to make this strawberry lemonade for them, they will scarf it down! Thank you!
Tricia @ Saving room for dessert says
Happy birthday Emmy! I think this little lady likes pink 🙂 and I do too! What a beautiful drink - love the color and garnish - absolutely perfect!
Vicki Bensinger says
Wow your strawberry lemonade looks so vibrant. I just got back from a long humid walk with my dogs and would love a tall, ice cold glass of this lemonade. Guess I'll have to make myself a cup. Looks beautiful!
monique says
Her bows kill me:) I love her!
And that lemonade looks soo good..it's actually warm here and a pretty glass fill with it would be quite perfect.
Crappy made me smile:) Kids..LOVE THEM.
Catherine says
A perfect drink to go with the perfect cake!!
I bet it was a beautiful day for all. xo Catherine
Angie@Angie's Recipes says
That's a very bright and beautiful drink! I look forward to that strawberry cake too, Chris.
Judy says
Do you think I could use frozen strawberries for this? I have a Vitamix so it would be no problem to puree the berries.
Chris Scheuer says
Hi Judi,
You could definitely use frozen berries for this! Hope you enjoy it!
Madonna says
Oh, a new grading system - good for the blog. So funny, I am going to use that.
Chris Scheuer says
Hi Madonna,
It works! And there are definitely some things I make that are "not good for the blog"!
Valya @ valyastasteofhome.com says
Delicious drink! Just in time for upcoming hot days! Your pictures as always so beautiful and clean!
Chris Scheuer says
Thanks so much Valya! Yes this is perfect for a hot day and that's exactly what we're having today in Carolina!