What? Memorial Day weekend? Where did you come from?! I only just remembered you were coming yesterday. I am not prepared for grilling out goodness and fun in the sun.
Although summer doesn’t officially start for a few more weeks, I think Memorial Day weekend marks the start of summer for most people. Summer means grilling out, hanging with friends and family, and yummy summer drinks.
Lemonade screams summer to me. I remember having lemonade stands when I was younger. When I was little, we lived on a small cul-de-sac and so I think I only got like 3 customers. But, whatever, I took that 50 cents I made and probably bought some candy. Put that money to good use!
This sparkling strawberry lemonade is refreshing and is a nice twist to plain ol’ lemonade. The only thing I might do different next time is add more strawberry as the flavor was pretty subtle. But, still delicious! You can sweeten this lemonade in two ways. The first way is to use some simple syrup which is made with water and sugar. The other way is to use agave nectar. If you want to make this more grown-up, swap the water for some sparkling wine! Yay summer!
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 (you can also use plain water)
Instructions
- Place the hulled strawberries in a blender and puree until smooth. To remove the seeds, place a fine mesh strainer over a pitcher and pour the mixture into the strainer. I poured mine though in a few batches and stirred each batch with a spoon to speed up the process. Discard the seeds.
- Add the lemon juice to the pitcher.
- Stir in the sweetener of your choice.*
- Pour in the sparkling water or wine and stir. Serve over ice and garnish with lemon slices and strawberries.
- To make simple syrup, combine equal parts water and sugar in a sauce pan. Heat until the sugar is completely dissolved in the water. For the lemonade, you probably won't need more than a 1/2 cup sugar unless you want the lemonade to be really sweet.
- To make the agave nectar syrup, combine about 1/2 cup with about 1/4 cup water in a sauce pan. Heat until the agave nectar dissolves in the water. Remove from the heat and add as much as you'd like.
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I am getting excited about the long weekend! However I do wish it was a little cooler. It is not even & am here and you can cut the humidity with a knife!
No doubt there will be a need for lots of refreshments and this looks like a winner. I am interested in trying the agave, never used or tasted it before. Stunning photos!
Tina@flourtrader recently posted..Balinese Double Six Sundaes
I agree with you on that one, Tina. It is SO hot and humid here in FL. Even with this drink, it’s too yucky to be outside!
Agave nectar is great! Similar to honey, but it’s sweeter, so you don’t have to use as much!
You have summed up very nicely, I think we all feel that ‘Lemonade does screams summer to us!”
Though I am not great with preparing things to eat and drink.. but this drink really sounds very interesting and easy to make
!
Thank you, Cathy!
wow. Nice drinks. I will surely try this at home. Thanks for sharing this
Thanks, Carol!
Talk about the perfect drink for the season and I just love the pretty napkin underneath Stephanie! Gorgeous photos too.
Kelly @ Inspired Edibles recently posted..Seared Garlic Chicken with Lemon and Olives
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This drink looks gorgeous. I love strawberry lemonade. I love the idea of adding sparkling wine. Yum!
Thanks, Jennie! I love drinks that can be made with or without alcohol!
This looks so refreshing! And it’s exactly what I need. It’s been so hot here in LA!
Chung-Ah | Damn Delicious recently posted..Jalapeño Popper Pizza
Thanks, Chung! It’s been so hot here in FL too! Hate it.
I can’t wait for the long weekend too… I can’t wait to bbq! : ) This sounds like a a great drink to kick off the festivities! Have a wonderful weekend and holiday.
Ramona recently posted..Lime Ginger Mint Popsicles
Thanks, Ramona. I LOVE long weekends!
Cant wait either for the long weekend to start..
But trust me This refreshing lemonade is what I can have right now..
SO good!!
Thanks, Reem! We already finished off the pitcher I made. Gotta go make more!
I love sparkling strawberry lemonade and yours looks so cool and refreshing, Stephanie! Wonderful drink for sitting on the back porch and watching the sunset.
Thanks, Georgia! I wish I was sitting outside on a porch sipping this right now!
So fun and festive! Can’t wait to try it!
Cassie recently posted..Wednesday Ramblings
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YUM! looks deelish and so refreshing!
michele @ i-heart-baking recently posted..purple ombre petal cake with chocolate butterflies for mother’s day
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this is gorgeous!!! i love that it’s got sparkles in it. anything that has sparkles just kicks up the drink classiness a notch! i will definitely be trying this soon
Julie @ Table for Two recently posted..BBQ Chicken Cornbread Pie
Thanks, Julie! I love the flavor the sparkling water gives it!
This looks so beautiful – ordinary lemonade is just SO out
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
Choc Chip Uru recently posted..Picnic Time!
LOL! I totally agree!
Oh Stephanie this is SOOOOOOOO PRETTY!!!!!
claire @ the realistic nutritionist recently posted..Eat Skinny: Mini Strawberry & Rhubarb Pies
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Perfect hot weather drink…looks both yummy and refreshing~
Liz recently posted..Mozzarella, Raspberry and Brown Sugar Grilled Cheese~
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I cannot believe it is almost June. This drink looks so refreshing…and pretty too. I love pretty drinks!
Emily @ Life on Food recently posted..Some Like It Hot
Thank you, Emily! I love pretty drinks too!
Another chance to bond with family and friends…I am excited to refresh everyone with this delicious mix. Thanks!
myfudo recently posted..beverages & drink recipes: hard lemonade recipe and the lemon sombrero by umbra & the juice lab by beater blade
Thanks! I love how food and drinks bring people together!
This year is definitely FLYING by! We just had our Canadian May Long Weekend last weekend, and I was in shock…glad it wasn’t just me
This looks perfect and refreshing for summer!
Anna @ hiddenponies recently posted..Cauliflower Sweet Potato Soup
Thanks, Anna! Time sure does fly!
This totally screams summer! Hope you have a fabulous and relaxing weekend.
Baker Street recently posted..Caramel Croissant Pudding
Thanks, An! You too!
Yay for memorial Day! What a lovely refreshing drink.
Carolyn recently posted..Peanut Butter Ice Cream Sundaes (Low Carb and Gluten-Free)
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These drinks look soooo refreshing and good. And I’m totally into them because I actually love lemons.
Your photos are just gorgeous too!
Lindsey @ Gingerbread Bagels recently posted..Espresso Brownie Bites
Thanks, Lindsey! I love lemons too!
I totally agree with you, lemonade is the epitome of summer in my opinion!
Peggy recently posted..Pineapple Tart w/ Walnut Streusel
Thanks, Peggy! I so agree!
Looks tasty and refreshing. I totally vote for the sparkling wine. Happy holiday weekend!
CJ at Food Stories recently posted..National Brown-Bag-It Day & Another Award
Thanks, CJ! I’m all about the sparkling wine too!
Mmmm….I love sparking cocktails!! This looks so pretty and tasty
Emily Lynne {The Best of this Life} recently posted..Happy Weekend!
Sparkling water is my drink of choice. I love this as a healthy twist to add some flavor! And it’s so pretty without having to use artificial colors/flavors/sweeteners. Hope you have a nice holiday weekend!
Alyssa recently posted..Glitzy Angry Birds Birthday Cake
It’s going to be 90 degrees here today – this looks like the perfect refreshing drink!
Laura @ Sprint 2 the Table recently posted..Happy Long Weekend!
Lovely color and refreshing, specially for here in Florida.
Looks great!!!
Lola Lobato recently posted..My visit to Venice
This looks really fabulous. So refreshing.
Kim Bee recently posted..Cocoa Pebbles Cheesecake and my Caketastrophe Story
I LOVE the idea of a sparkling lemonade! That sounds so deliciously refreshing. I seriously need some of this.
Tasty! These sound great for an evening treat! I’ve been on a strawberry lemonade kick and these sound off the hook!
Skye recently posted..Pomegranate Feta Salad
I just made some mint strawberry lemonade a couple weeks back. Isnt it the most refreshing drink ever?? I need to make more! YUM
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