Strawberry Lemonade

This vibrant strawberry lemonade is the perfect drink for a hot summer’s day. The key to making the best lemonade is rubbing the lemon zest into the sugar. It draws out the lemons’ essential oils, which makes your lemonade extra lemony and delicious.

Table of Contents

• Ingredient Breakdown
• Harnessing the Power of Lemons
• The Secret to Making THE Best Lemonade
• To Sieve or Not To Sieve
• Can You Freeze This Strawberry Lemonade?
• Variations and Add-Ons
• Tips for The Perfect Strawberry Lemonade
• More Drinks to Sip on This Summer

Ingredient Breakdown

• White Granulated or Caster Sugar: This provides the sweetness for the lemonade and helps to balance the tartness of the lemons and strawberries. Rubbing the lemon zest into the sugar enhances its flavour by releasing essential oils. More on that below.
• Lemons: The star citrus ingredient. Both the zest and freshly-squeezed juice are used to create a vibrant, tangy base.
• Strawberries: These add a fruity sweetness and a beautiful pink hue to the lemonade. Fresh, ripe strawberries are best for maximum flavour.
• Still or Soda Water: This dilutes the lemonade base, making it refreshing and light. Soda water adds a fizzy element, while still water keeps it classic.
• Ice: Essential for serving, ice keeps the lemonade chilled and refreshing.

Harnessing the Power of Lemons

Lemons are the backbone of any good lemonade and this recipe uniquely uses both the zest and juice to maximise their potential.

• The Juice: Freshly-squeezed lemon juice is far superior to bottled. It’s fresher, more vibrant and has a better balance of acidity and sweetness.
• The Zest: Lemon zest contains the essential oils of the lemon, which are packed with flavour. By rubbing the zest into the sugar, you release these oils, infusing the sugar with lots of lemony goodness.

In short, the juice provides the tangy acidity while the zest contains the essential oils, which are packed with intense lemon flavour. Using both makes a lemonade that is not only refreshingly tart but also deeply aromatic and flavourful.

The Secret to Making THE Best Lemonade

The technique of rubbing lemon zest into sugar is a game-changer for making lemonade. Here’s why:

• Releasing Essential Oils: The friction from rubbing the zest into the sugar releases the lemon’s essential oils, which are packed with flavour, making your lemonade extra lemony.
• Enhanced Aroma: This process also heightens the aroma of the lemonade, making it more inviting and refreshing.
• Quick Infusion: This technique allows for a quick infusion of lemon flavour into the sugar, creating a rich base for your lemonade that doesn’t require long steeping times.

To Sieve or Not To Sieve

Strawberries have tiny seeds that can add a bit of texture to your lemonade. Sieving the lemonade base after blending can result in a smoother drink, free of any pulp or seeds. However, some people enjoy the rustic texture and added fibre that comes from keeping the seeds in. Ultimately, the choice is yours:

• Sieve for Smoothness: If you prefer a smooth lemonade, strain the mixture through a fine mesh sieve before adding the water.
• Skip the Sieve for Texture: If you don’t mind a bit of texture and want to keep all the strawberry goodness in your drink, you can skip this step.

Can You Freeze This Strawberry Lemonade?

Yes, you can absolutely freeze it. Here’s how:

• Prepare the Base: Follow the recipe to create the strawberry lemonade base.
• Freeze: Pour the base into a freezer-safe container and freeze.
• Thaw and Serve: When ready to use, thaw the base, add it to a pitcher and mix with still or sparkling water to taste until you reach your desired sweetness.

Variations and Add-Ons

While this strawberry lemonade is delicious on its own, you can easily customise it:

• Mint: Add a handful of fresh mint leaves to the pitcher for a refreshing twist.
• Basil: Swap the mint for basil for a unique flavour combination (it works so well, trust me!)
• Other Berries: Mix in raspberries, blueberries or blackberries for a mixed berry lemonade.

Tips for The Perfect Strawberry Lemonade

• Adjust Sweetness: Taste the lemonade before serving and adjust the sweetness to your liking. You can add more sugar or a bit more lemon juice if needed.
• Chill the Base: Prepare the lemonade base in advance and chill it in the fridge. This ensures that your lemonade is ice-cold when you add the water and ice.
• Strain if Desired: If you prefer a smoother drink, strain the strawberry mixture before adding it to the pitcher.

More Drinks to Sip on This Summer

Looking for more refreshing drinks to enjoy this summer? Here are some delicious options from Zena’s Kitchen:

• Watermelon Limeade: This summery watermelon limeade is so delicious and so refreshing. It’s the perfect thirst-quencher on a hot summer’s day.
• Raspberry Mint Cooler: A refreshing blend of raspberries and mint, creating a vibrant and cooling beverage.
• Carrot, Pineapple & Coconut Smoothie: A tropical smoothie with a mix of carrot, pineapple, and coconut for a nutritious and delicious treat.
• Piña Colada Kale Smoothie: If you like piña coladas (and getting caught in the rain) you’ll love this delicious, tropical smoothie. It’s a holiday in a glass – it combines kale with juicy, fresh pineapple and decadent coconut cream, which makes for a refreshing smoothie that just screams summer.

This Strawberry Lemonade is a quintessential summer drink, combining the tartness of lemons with the sweetness of strawberries. It’s refreshing, easy to make, and perfect for any occasion. Whether you’re hosting a barbecue, lounging by the pool, or simply enjoying a sunny day, this lemonade will quench your thirst and delight your taste buds. So grab your ingredients, follow the steps, and enjoy a glass of this summery delight. Cheers!