Best Homemade Strawberry Lemonade (Roasted Berries!)

This Homemade Strawberry Lemonade recipe is truly like taking a bite out of summer! It's incredibly refreshing, perfectly balanced between sweet and tart, and features a special twist - roasted strawberries! Roasting the strawberries intensifies their flavor and adds a wonderful depth that makes this Strawberry Lemonade stand out from the rest. I absolutely love making big pitchers of this lemonade when strawberries are in season, like right now during these beautiful mid-April days. It's easy, uses fresh ingredients, and is a healthy-ish treat everyone will adore!

Why You'll Love This Homemade Strawberry Lemonade

• Intense Strawberry Flavor: Roasting the strawberries before adding them concentrates their natural sweetness and flavor.
• Perfectly Sweet & Tart: The combination of fresh lemon juice, simple syrup, and sweet strawberries is perfectly balanced.
• Refreshing: The ultimate thirst-quencher for warm spring and summer days.
• Easy to Make: Simple steps for the syrup, roasted berries, and final assembly.
• Better Than Store-Bought: Homemade lemonade allows you to control the sweetness and use fresh, quality ingredients.

Ingredients for Easy Strawberry Lemonade

Here's what you'll need to make this vibrant and refreshing lemonade. The full list with measurements is in the recipe card below.

Simple Syrup

• Granulated sugar (Sweetener)
• Water (Liquid)

Roasted Strawberries

• Fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced (Fruit)
• Granulated sugar (Sweetener)

Lemonade Base

• Fresh lemon juice (from about 6 lemons) (Acid)
• Cold water or sparkling water (Liquid)
• Ice cubes (Ice)

Garnish

• Strawberries, sliced (Fruit)
• Lemon slices (optional)

(Note: the full ingredients list, including measurements, is provided in the recipe card below.)

Variations

I love the classic flavor of this Strawberry Lemonade, but here are some fun variations:

• Add Other Berries: Roast a mix of berries (like raspberries or blueberries) along with the strawberries.
• Make it Sparkling: Use sparkling water instead of still water for a fizzy lemonade.
• Add Mint or Basil: Muddle a few fresh mint or basil leaves in the pitcher before adding the liquids for an herbaceous twist.
• Make it Boozy: Add a shot of vodka, gin, or light rum to individual glasses for an adult version.
• Limeade: Substitute fresh lime juice for the lemon juice.

How to Make Homemade Strawberry Lemonade

Let me show you how easy it is to make this amazing Homemade Strawberry Lemonade:

Make Simple Syrup

1. First, I make a simple syrup. In a small saucepan, I combine ¾ cup each of granulated sugar and water.
2. I cook this over medium heat, stirring, just until the sugar completely dissolves.
3. I remove the syrup from the heat and let it cool completely to room temperature.

Roast Strawberries

1. While the syrup cools, I preheat my oven to 400°F (200°C) or set it to broiler mode. I line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. I place the sliced fresh strawberries onto the baking sheet and sprinkle them with ¼ cup of granulated sugar.
3. I toss them well to coat, then arrange them in a single layer.
4. I roast (or broil) for 10-20 minutes, until the strawberries are soft, bubbly, and slightly caramelized around the edges. Keep a close eye if broiling, as they can burn quickly!
5. I transfer the roasted strawberries (and any juices) to a bowl and mash them gently with a fork. Alternatively, for a smoother lemonade, I can use a food processor or blender to process/blend them until smooth after they cool slightly.

Combine Lemonade

1. In a large pitcher, I combine the cooled simple syrup, the mashed roasted strawberries, and the freshly squeezed lemon juice.
2. I add the cold water (or sparkling water).
3. I stir well.

Serve

1. I add ice cubes and additional fresh strawberry slices to the pitcher.
2. I serve the Strawberry Lemonade in glasses over more ice cubes and garnish with extra strawberry slices if desired.
3. Enjoy!

Tips and Tricks for the BEST Strawberry Lemonade

Here are my secrets for making this Strawberry Lemonade truly exceptional:

• Roast the Strawberries: Don't skip this step! Roasting concentrates the strawberry flavor beautifully.
• Use Fresh Lemon Juice: Freshly squeezed lemon juice is essential for that bright, authentic lemonade taste.
• Cool Simple Syrup: Ensure the simple syrup is completely cool before adding it to the other ingredients, especially if using sparkling water.
• Adjust Sweetness: Taste the finished lemonade before serving. Add more simple syrup if you prefer it sweeter, or more water/lemon juice if it's too sweet/tart.
• Mash vs. Blend: Mashing the roasted strawberries leaves nice fruity bits in the lemonade. Blending creates a smoother consistency. Choose whichever you prefer!

How to Serve

This Homemade Strawberry Lemonade is perfect served:

• Chilled: Over plenty of ice on a warm day.
• For Parties: Make a big pitcher for barbecues, picnics, showers, or potlucks.
• As a Base: Use it as a base for cocktails by adding vodka, gin, or rum.
• Garnished: With fresh strawberry slices, lemon wheels, or mint sprigs.

Make Ahead and Storage

• Make Ahead: You can make the simple syrup and roast the strawberries up to 2-3 days ahead. Store them separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator. Assemble the lemonade closer to serving time, especially if using sparkling water.
• Storage: Store leftover Strawberry Lemonade in a covered pitcher in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. The flavor might meld further over time. Stir well before serving again.

FAQs about Homemade Strawberry Lemonade

• Can I use frozen strawberries?
  • Yes, you can use frozen strawberries for roasting. You may not need to add sugar before roasting, or you might need to roast slightly longer. Taste and adjust sweetness later.
• Can I use bottled lemon juice?
  • Freshly squeezed is highly recommended for the best flavor, but bottled lemon juice can work in a pinch.
• How long does the simple syrup last?
  • Stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator, basic simple syrup can last for several weeks.

Enjoy this vibrant, refreshing, and incredibly delicious Easy Homemade Strawberry Lemonade! It's the perfect taste of sunshine in a glass.

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