Why You’ll Love This Recipe
I love how this strawberry lemonade takes a familiar homemade drink and gives it a subtle floral twist. Fresh strawberries provide natural sweetness and a vibrant color, while lemon juice keeps everything bright and tangy.
I also like that I can prepare the lavender syrup and strawberry mixture ahead of time. When I am ready to serve, I simply combine everything with cold water, add ice, and garnish the glasses.
Ingredients
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
For the Lavender Syrup
- Water
- Granulated sugar
- Culinary-grade dried lavender
For the Strawberry Lemonade
- Fresh strawberries, hulled
- Freshly squeezed lemon juice
- Cold water
- Lavender syrup
- Ice cubes
For Serving
- Fresh strawberry slices
- Lemon slices
- Fresh lavender sprigs, optional
Directions
1. Make the Lavender Syrup
I combine the water and sugar in a small saucepan and heat the mixture over medium heat, stirring until the sugar completely dissolves.
I remove the saucepan from the heat, add the culinary lavender, and let it steep for about 5 to 10 minutes. I avoid steeping it for too long because I want a delicate floral flavor rather than an overpowering or bitter one.
I strain out the lavender and let the syrup cool completely.
2. Prepare the Strawberries
I place the hulled strawberries in a blender and blend until completely smooth. For a smoother lemonade, I pour the strawberry puree through a fine-mesh strainer to remove the seeds and excess pulp.
3. Make the Lemonade
I add the strawberry puree, freshly squeezed lemon juice, lavender syrup, and cold water to a large pitcher. I stir everything together until thoroughly combined.
I taste the lemonade and adjust it as needed. I add a little more lavender syrup when I want extra sweetness or additional lemon juice when I prefer a stronger tart flavor.
4. Chill
I refrigerate the strawberry lemonade until it is thoroughly chilled. I find that chilling it before serving also gives the strawberry, lemon, and lavender flavors time to come together.
5. Serve
I fill glasses with ice and pour the chilled strawberry lavender lemonade over the top. I garnish each glass with strawberry slices, lemon rounds, or a small sprig of fresh lavender before serving.
Servings and Timing
I usually get about 6 servings from one pitcher of Strawberry Lemonade with Lavender.
- Prep time: 15 minutes
- Cooking time: 5 minutes
- Steeping and cooling time: about 20 minutes
- Total time: about 40 minutes
- Servings: approximately 6
I can shorten the serving time by preparing the lavender syrup in advance and keeping it refrigerated.
Variations
Sparkling Strawberry Lavender Lemonade
I replace some or all of the cold water with sparkling water. I add the sparkling water immediately before serving so the lemonade stays fizzy.
Strawberry Limeade with Lavender
I replace the lemon juice with freshly squeezed lime juice when I want a slightly different citrus flavor.
Mixed Berry Lavender Lemonade
I blend raspberries, blueberries, or blackberries with the strawberries for a deeper berry flavor and color.
Mint Strawberry Lemonade
I add fresh mint leaves to the pitcher or muddle a few leaves in each glass. I especially like the combination of mint, strawberry, and lemon when serving this drink on hot days.
Less-Sweet Strawberry Lemonade
I simply reduce the amount of lavender syrup. I prefer adding the syrup gradually so I can easily control both the sweetness and the floral flavor.
Storage/Reheating
I store leftover Strawberry Lemonade with Lavender in a covered pitcher or airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The strawberry puree can settle as it sits, so I stir the lemonade well before pouring another glass.
I keep ice out of the pitcher when storing leftovers because melting ice can dilute the lemonade. If I make a sparkling version, I add the sparkling water just before serving rather than storing it already mixed.
There is no reheating needed for this recipe. I serve the lemonade thoroughly chilled over fresh ice.
FAQs
Can I make Strawberry Lemonade with Lavender ahead of time?
Yes. I can prepare the lavender syrup and strawberry lemonade several hours in advance and refrigerate them until serving. I add ice and garnishes only when I am ready to pour the drinks.
What type of lavender should I use?
I use culinary-grade lavender intended for cooking and baking. I avoid lavender sold for decorative, craft, or fragrance purposes because it may not be suitable for consumption.
How do I keep lavender from overpowering the lemonade?
I use a small amount of lavender and steep it briefly. I find that 5 to 10 minutes is generally enough to introduce a pleasant floral note. I can always add more lavender syrup later if I want a stronger flavor.
Can I use frozen strawberries?
Yes. I can substitute thawed frozen strawberries when fresh ones aren’t available. I blend them just as I would fresh strawberries and include the juices released while they thaw.
Can I make this strawberry lemonade sparkling?
Yes. I replace the still water with chilled sparkling water or club soda. I stir it in gently immediately before serving to preserve as much carbonation as possible.
Conclusion
Strawberry Lemonade with Lavender is one of my favorite ways to give classic homemade lemonade a fresh seasonal twist. I love the combination of juicy strawberries and tart lemon with just enough lavender to add a delicate floral aroma without overwhelming the fruit.
I can prepare most of the recipe ahead of time, adjust the sweetness to my taste, and easily turn it into a sparkling drink for special occasions. With its vibrant color and refreshing flavor, I find this strawberry lavender lemonade especially enjoyable on warm spring and summer days.
PrintStrawberry Lemonade with Lavender
A refreshing homemade lemonade combining ripe strawberries, fresh lemon juice, and delicate lavender syrup. Sweet, tart, and lightly floral, it is perfect served chilled over ice.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Beverage
- Method: Stovetop and Blending
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegan
Ingredients
- Water
- Granulated sugar
- Culinary-grade dried lavender
- Fresh strawberries, hulled
- Freshly squeezed lemon juice
- Cold water
- Lavender syrup
- Ice cubes
- Fresh strawberry slices, for serving
- Lemon slices, for serving
- Fresh lavender sprigs, optional
Instructions
- Combine the water and granulated sugar in a small saucepan over medium heat. Stir until the sugar is completely dissolved.
- Remove the saucepan from the heat, add the culinary-grade dried lavender, and steep for 5 to 10 minutes. Strain out the lavender and allow the syrup to cool completely.
- Place the hulled strawberries in a blender and blend until completely smooth. For a smoother lemonade, strain the puree through a fine-mesh strainer to remove seeds and excess pulp.
- Add the strawberry puree, freshly squeezed lemon juice, lavender syrup, and cold water to a large pitcher. Stir until thoroughly combined.
- Taste and adjust the lemonade with additional lavender syrup for sweetness or additional lemon juice for tartness.
- Refrigerate until thoroughly chilled.
- Fill glasses with ice and pour in the chilled strawberry lavender lemonade. Garnish with fresh strawberry slices, lemon slices, and fresh lavender sprigs if desired. Serve immediately.
Notes
- Use only culinary-grade lavender intended for cooking and consumption.
- Avoid steeping the lavender for longer than 10 minutes, as an extended steep can produce an overpowering or bitter flavor.
- Thawed frozen strawberries can be substituted for fresh strawberries; include the juices released during thawing.
- For sparkling lemonade, replace some or all of the cold water with chilled sparkling water or club soda and add it immediately before serving.
- For strawberry limeade, replace the lemon juice with freshly squeezed lime juice.
- Store leftover lemonade covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and stir well before serving.
- Keep ice out of the pitcher during storage to prevent dilution.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 glass
- Calories: 130 kcal
- Sugar: 29 g
- Sodium: 8 mg
- Fat: 0.3 g
- Saturated Fat: 0 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0.2 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 33 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 1 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg