Memorial Day weekend has a way of sneaking up on us and instantly announcing that summer is here. Even though the calendar may still say spring, for many people the start of summer means grilling outdoors, gathering with friends and family, and serving bright, refreshing drinks. One of the simplest and most satisfying beverages of the season is a classic lemonade — and this sparkling strawberry lemonade puts a light, fizzy twist on it.
This recipe combines fresh strawberries and lemon juice for a tangy, slightly sweet base. The strawberries lend a delicate fruitiness and a pretty pink hue; keep in mind the strawberry flavor can be subtle, so you may want to increase the berries if you prefer a stronger fruit taste. For sweetness, choose between a simple syrup made from sugar and water or an agave syrup for a milder, lower-glycemic option. To make it adult-friendly, swap the sparkling water for sparkling wine or prosecco for a celebratory touch.
The method is straightforward: puree hulled strawberries, strain to remove seeds if desired, mix in fresh lemon juice, sweeten to taste, and top with sparkling water or wine. Serve over plenty of ice and garnish with lemon slices and whole or halved strawberries for a festive presentation. This drink is easy to scale up for a crowd and keeps well chilled for several hours when stored in the refrigerator.
Sparkling Strawberry Lemonade
20 minutes
20 minutes
Fresh strawberry lemonade is a quintessential summer beverage: bright, refreshing, and easy to make. This sparkling version adds effervescence and visual appeal, perfect for backyard barbecues, picnics, or casual entertaining.
Ingredients
- 1 pint strawberries, rinsed and hulled
- 1 cup fresh lemon juice (about 6 lemons)
- Simple syrup or agave nectar syrup, to taste
- 5 cups sparkling water or wine (or plain water if preferred)
Instructions
- Place the hulled strawberries in a blender and puree until smooth. If you prefer a seed-free lemonade, pour the puree through a fine mesh strainer into a pitcher, pressing or stirring each batch to extract the juice and discard the seeds.
- Add the fresh lemon juice to the pitcher with the strawberry puree and stir to combine.
- Sweeten the mixture to taste with simple syrup or agave syrup. Start with a small amount, taste, and add more until you reach your preferred sweetness.
- Just before serving, pour in the sparkling water or sparkling wine and gently stir to combine. Serve over ice and garnish with lemon slices and fresh strawberries.
For the sweeteners
- To make simple syrup: combine equal parts water and granulated sugar in a small saucepan. Heat gently, stirring until the sugar dissolves. Cool before adding to the lemonade. For this recipe, you likely need no more than 1/2 cup of sugar dissolved into syrup unless you prefer a very sweet drink.
- To make agave syrup: combine about 1/2 cup agave nectar with 1/4 cup water in a saucepan and warm briefly until blended. Remove from heat and add to the lemonade, adjusting for sweetness.
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
6
Serving Size:
1
Amount Per Serving:
Calories: 185
Total Fat: 0g
Sodium: 12mg
Carbohydrates: 44g
Fiber: 1g
Sugar: 35g
Protein: 1g
