Summer means trying out new drink recipes, and I love using local, fresh ingredients in my recipes! I picked up some beautiful strawberries from the Old Monterey Farmers Market to make strawberry lemonade that’s refreshing and perfect for the summer. And if you’re looking to kick it up a notch, add your alcohol of choice 
Stay tuned for what else you can use your leftover lemonade for – that is, if you have any left!
Strawberry Lemonade
Ingredients
- 1/2 lb fresh strawberries
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 1 1/2 cups freshly-squeezed lemon juice
- 4 1/2 cups water
Instructions
- First, cut the stems off all the strawberries. Then, using a blender or food processor, puree the strawberries. If you'd like, you can then strain them through a sieve to remove the seeds, but this is optional. Set the strawberry puree aside.
- In a small saucepan, stir together the granulated sugar and 2 cups of the water over medium heat, just until all the sugar dissolves. Remove from heat and allow the syrup to cool. It doesn't need to be at room temperature, but you don't want it hot!
- Using a sieve, strain the lemon juice (to keep out pulp and seeds) into a pitcher, at least 2-quarts in size. Add the syrup and strawberry puree, and stir well to combine. Refrigerate until chilled.
- This is a concentrated strawberry lemonade mix, so when ready to serve, add the remaining 2 1/2 cups of water and stir to thoroughly combine. From here you can taste and decide if it's too sweet for your liking; if so, just add more water!
- Enjoy!
