Easy Homemade Strawberry Lemonade with Fresh Mint

This lemonade is summer in a glass sweet strawberries, tart lemon, cool mint, and that perfect shade of sunset pink. I started making this strawberry lemonade when my niece begged for “something fun but not too fizzy” at a family BBQ. What started as a quick experiment turned into a signature drink I now serve at almost every warm-weather get-together. It’s bright, crowd-pleasing, and so easy to make in big batches that you’ll wonder why you ever bought store-bought lemonade again.

Why You’ll Love This Drink

• Naturally sweet and refreshing with real fruit
• Kid-friendly and easily made boozy for adults
• Perfect for parties, picnics, or just chilling on the porch
• Looks beautiful in pitchers or jars Pinterest-perfect every time

Simple Ingredients

• Strawberries – provide bright color and juicy sweetness
• Pink lemonade – gives that tangy, citrusy base
• Fresh mint – adds cool, herbal freshness
• Lemon slices – enhance flavor and add visual appeal
• Ice – keeps everything chilled and refreshing

Recipe Time Details

Servings: 4–6
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 0 minutes
Total Time: 10 minutes

What is Needed

• 4 cups pink lemonade (chilled)
• 1 cup fresh strawberries, sliced
• 10 fresh mint leaves
• 1 lemon, thinly sliced
• Ice
• Optional: extra strawberries and lemon rounds for garnish

Instructions

1. Gently muddle the strawberries and mint in the bottom of a large pitcher.
2. Add the pink lemonade and lemon slices. Stir well.
3. Fill serving glasses with ice and pour the lemonade over.
4. Garnish with additional strawberry slices, lemon wheels, and a mint sprig.
5. Serve immediately or refrigerate for up to 2 hours before serving.

Garnish Tip

Float a thin lemon wheel and a strawberry half right on top of the ice for a picture-perfect finish.

Make It Boozy or Not

• Alcoholic: Add 1.5 oz vodka or strawberry liqueur per glass.
• Non-Alcoholic: Serve as is, or top with lemon-lime soda for sparkle.

Top Tips

• Use ripe, sweet strawberries for the best flavor and natural color
• Chill your pitcher ahead of time to keep drinks colder longer
• Gently roll lemons before slicing to release more juice
• Muddle, don’t mash over-muddling mint can turn it bitter
• Make a double batch it always goes faster than expected

Recipe Variations

• Strawberry-Basil Lemonade: Swap mint for fresh basil
• Sparkling Version: Top each glass with lemon-lime soda or sparkling water
• Frozen Style: Blend ingredients with ice for a slushy treat

Recommended Equipment

• Large pitcher (glass preferred)
• Wooden spoon or muddler
• Paring knife and cutting board
• Mason jars or clear serving glasses

Make Ahead Tips

You can slice the strawberries and lemons up to one day ahead and store them separately in the fridge. Assemble the lemonade up to 2 hours in advance for best freshness.

How to Store and Reheat

Store any leftover lemonade in the fridge for up to 2 days. Remove the mint if storing longer to avoid bitterness. Do not reheat serve cold or over fresh ice.

What to Serve With This Recipe

Pairs well with grilled chicken, cucumber sandwiches, watermelon feta salad, or lemon shortbread cookies for a sweet finish.

What You Need to Know About This Recipe

Lemonade has roots going back to ancient Egypt, but this version gets its color and flavor from American summer staples: fresh strawberries and citrus. It’s a drink that feels homemade and nostalgic in the best way.

BONUS RECIPES

Try these recipe to enhance your homemade lemonade making!

DIY Strawberry Syrup Recipe

If you’d rather skip store-bought lemonade and go for a fresher twist, this easy homemade strawberry syrup is just the thing. It gives your lemonade deep strawberry flavor and beautiful color with no artificial stuff.

What You’ll Need:

• 1 cup fresh or frozen strawberries, sliced
• 1/2 cup water
• 1/4 cup sugar

How to Make It:

1. Add strawberries, water, and sugar to a small saucepan.
2. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
3. Mash the berries gently as they soften.
4. Strain the syrup into a clean jar or bowl and discard the solids.
5. Let it cool completely before stirring into your lemonade.

Tip: This syrup keeps in the fridge for up to one week and is also amazing in sparkling water or iced tea.

Frozen Strawberry Lemonade Slush Version

When the temperature climbs and you want something extra cold, blend your lemonade into a frosty slush. It’s refreshing, super fun, and feels like a treat you’d get from a beachside stand.

How to Make It:

1. Add 2 cups of pink lemonade, 1 cup of ice, and 1/2 cup sliced strawberries to a blender.
2. Blend until smooth and slushy.
3. Serve immediately in chilled glasses with a straw and spoon.

Tip: For an even frostier finish, freeze your lemonade in ice cube trays beforehand and blend those with strawberries for a thicker consistency.

Strawberry Lemonade Ice Cubes Tip

Want to keep your lemonade chilled without watering it down? These fruity ice cubes are the answer and they look gorgeous in a glass.

How to Make Them:

1. Fill an ice cube tray with a mix of sliced strawberries and small lemon wedges.
2. Pour in pink lemonade to fill each cube.
3. Freeze overnight.
4. Pop into your drinks right before serving.

Tip: These also work beautifully in sparkling water for a lightly flavored, no-fuss mocktail.

One-Pot Cooking Rocks!