Ingredients
Scale
For the Mint Simple Syrup
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup water
- 1 cup fresh mint leaves, loosely packed
For the Strawberry Lemonade
- 1½ cups fresh strawberries, hulled and halved
- 1 cup fresh lemon juice, divided (from about 5 lemons), at room temperature
- 2–3 cups cold water, to taste
For Garnish
- Lemon slices
- Fresh mint leaves
- Fresh strawberries
Instructions
- Combine the sugar and 1 cup of water in a small saucepan over medium heat. Stir until the sugar fully dissolves, about 3 to 4 minutes, don’t let it boil hard.
- Remove the pan from heat and add the fresh mint leaves. Press them down gently so they’re submerged. Let the mixture steep for 10 to 15 minutes until the syrup smells strongly of mint and has a pale green tint.
- Strain the mint syrup through a fine mesh sieve into a jar or bowl, pressing the leaves to extract all the liquid. Discard the mint. Let the syrup cool to room temperature.
- Add the hulled strawberries to a blender with ½ cup of the lemon juice. Blend until completely smooth, about 30 seconds.
- If you prefer a completely smooth drink, press the strawberry mixture through a fine mesh sieve to remove the seeds. Skip this step if you don’t mind a bit of texture.
- In a large pitcher, combine the strawberry-lemon puree, the remaining ½ cup of lemon juice, the cooled mint simple syrup, and 2 to 3 cups of cold water. Stir well.
- Taste and adjust, add more water if it’s too sweet, a splash more lemon if you want more tartness, or a little more syrup if you want it sweeter.
- Fill glasses with ice and pour the strawberry lemonade over. Garnish with a lemon slice, a few fresh strawberries, and a sprig of mint. Serve immediately.
Notes
- Make ahead: The mint syrup keeps in the fridge for up to 2 weeks in a sealed jar. Make a double batch and you’re set for the whole season.
- Strawberry puree: Can be made a day ahead and refrigerated. Give it a stir before using.
- Scaling up: This recipe doubles and triples easily for a crowd. Mix it in a large pitcher or drink dispenser.
- Sweetness control: For a less sweet drink, start with ½ cup of the mint syrup and add more to taste.
- Equipment: A blender makes the smoothest strawberry base, but a fork and fine mesh strainer works in a pinch if you don’t mind more texture.
- No blender? Mash the strawberries well with a fork, mix with lemon juice, and strain through a fine sieve. It takes a bit longer but works fine.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Category: Beverage
- Method: Blended
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 glass
- Calories: 90 kcal
- Sugar: 18 g
- Sodium: 5 mg
- Fat: 0.2 g
- Saturated Fat: 0 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0.1 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 23 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 0.5 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg