Strawberry-Ginger Lemonade
Welcome to the inaugural edition of Foxes Love Lemonade! I’m (obviously) obsessed with the bright, tart taste of lemons, and IÂ love freshly squeezed lemonade as well! Classic lemonade is just dandy, but in this summertime monthly post, I’ll be coming up with new spins on my favorite cool-down drink.
First, a confession. This is the first batch of homemade lemonade I have EVER made. I’m honestly not sure why somebody like me, who always has a big bowl of lemons in the fridge, hasn’t made it before.
Quite honestly, my husband and I simply drink water 95% of the time, so we’ve never been a family that always has a pitcher of lemonade or iced tea in the fridge.
But, all of that might change soon. Because guys, homemade lemonade is amazing.Â
Since it was my first-ever batch, I was naive and wanted to try to make a drink without a TON of added sugar, but I think it all depends on the tartness of the particular lemons that you use.
I think each batch is different, and should be made “to taste.” Also, adding additional elements, like in this case, strawberries and ginger, could mean that the overall tartness is toned down (or enhanced), so each batch is really a custom job.
It also comes down to personal taste. Being the lemon lover that I am, I probably like a tarter drink than most people, which I’ve noted in the recipe.
This lemonade kind of came about because strawberries and ginger are two things that sometimes go bad in my fridge before I’m able to use them.
It seems like I often buy a big box of strawberries, eat half and then get tired of them. And although I try to buy the smallest piece of ginger possible at the store, it’s still far bigger than I need for a little bit of stir-fry or a blueberry lemon smoothie.
Now that I know I can whip up this unique and refreshing Strawberry-Ginger Lemonade, these ingredients will never be wasted again!
Strawberry-Ginger Lemonade
Ingredients
- 3 cups water
- 2 heaping cups fresh strawberries, hulled
- 1-1/2 tablespoons peeled and roughly chopped fresh ginger
- 1-1/2 cups fresh lemon juice
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar, plus additional if needed
Instructions
- In blender, puree water, strawberries and ginger until smooth. Strain through a fine mesh strainer; discard solids.
- Pour strawberry liquid into pitcher; add lemon juice and sugar. Stir until sugar is completely dissolved. Serve over ice; refrigerate any leftovers.
- Note: this makes a lemonade that is on the tart side. If you desire a sweeter drink, stir in additional sugar 1 tablespoon at a time until desired level of sweetness is reached.
More yummy strawberry recipes:
- Strawberry Moscow Mules – what makes them DOUBLE strawberry? Go find out!
- Summer Salad with Strawberry Ricotta Toast – a light dinner for a hot day.
- Strawberry Pop-Tart Ice Cream – homemade ice cream is a project worth taking on!
- Cannoli Strawberries – a super simple no-bake dessert.
- Strawberry Cinnamon Rolls from A Few Short Cuts
- Creamy Strawberry Pie from Delightful E Made
Tried it! It was amazing! In the lemonaid I usually make I add a pinch of salt and it makes it sweeter with less sugar. Tried it in your recipe and all I can say is…WOW!
Such a smart idea, Lynn! That’s the only thing I don’t love about homemade lemonade – real lemon juice is SO tart that I feel like it needs quite a bit of sugar to make it drinkable. Definitely trying the pinch of salt next time, thanks!
Great tip, Holly! I’ve tried freezing pre-grated ginger before, but it didn’t really work all that well – it just sort of turned into freezer burned mush. Your way sounds much better!
This lemonade sounds amazing. I have made strawberry lemonade but never thought to add ginger. I will be making this in the near future 🙂 Also to prevent ginger to go bad, I peel the whole root use what I want that night then put the rest of it in the freezer in a ziploc bag. It stays forever and its actually easier to grate up when frozen.
So you’re saying that the medicine cabinet in the tiny bathroom with the inefficient exhaust fan isn’t the best place to keep drugs? 🙂 I’m relocating the Pepcid to the fridge right now, then! My husband is in China this week for work, so when he comes home, he’s probably going to be like “what have you been DOING around here?” haha.
The answer, of course, is ‘thinking of you, dear!’
I will definitely be reporting back later this month 🙂
That’s a brilliant idea, Susan. Maybe I should just re-locate his Pepcid AC from the medicine cabinet to the fridge, next to the pitcher of lemonade. Because I think he likes the flavor, but also just likes to complain about his old man tendencies 😉
Relocating the Pepcid AC would be good for the drug, too – cooler storage temps are better than warm. So that would be a win-win.
I’m headed to Columbus OH this coming weekend, Susan. There are a TON of breweries there I can’t wait to check out. Have you ever been?
No, I haven’t. So I’ll be awaiting your report with great anticipation. We don’t have it in us to do our usual road trip this summer, but if Columbus is worth it, I could see going there next time we do a road trip, especially since it’s right on the way to Dayton where my best girlfriend lives. I hope you have a really great time.
Since I am obsessed with popsicles, I added 3x the suggested sugar and froze this. It’s amazing! The best fancy popsicle yet!
Oh my gosh, I LOVE that idea, Hannah! I need to get a popsicle mold this summer. Especially because when I make a big batch of lemonade, sometimes I have trouble finishing it all before it starts to take on that “fridge” flavor. My husband is 30 going on 90, so complains of heart burn from lemonade, and barely helps me drink it. haha 🙂
You could keep a bottle of TUMS (the strong kind) in the fridge right next to the lemonade to encourage him. It would be great for his calcium intake, too! 🙂 Unless, of course, he really doesn’t like lemonade…
Ummmm, can I come to your house for an afternoon snack? haha.
You are welcome here for afternoon snack (or any other time), Lori. Too bad we don’t have craft breweries in our town (except BJ’s which is actually a chain). We’d have a lot of fun!
Aww, thanks Julie. My mom spotted those straws at a little gift shop, and MADE me buy them 🙂
I know, seriously – how is this my first batch? I’m definitely going to make up for that this summer, though. One new recipe a month might not be enough. Maybe I should do one a week!
I suddenly felt thirsty by looking at your photos with those fancy and colourful straws. I love strawberry. Mixing it with ginger is a great idea. Thanks for sharing, Lori!
Julie
Gourmet Getaways
hey Lori! love this. . I can’t believe this is your first batch of lemonade!!! but hey, you went big with the ginger so kudos to you!!! can’t wait to see what else you come up with!
Reading that you and your husband drink water 95% of the time (just like us), my smart mouth self was thinking, ‘well if you drink 95% water and 5% beer, then who needs anything else?’ Seriously, though, this recipe sounds very nice. I can pretty well guarantee you that I would drink it as is, and my husband would be adding sugar… I’m looking forward to seeing what other ideas you have about lemonade.
Haha, OK…for my husband maybe it’s more like 50% water / 50% beer. I’m also hooked on Honest Tea Lori’s Lemon Tea (because, come on). So I guess we’re not THAT boring. But now homemade lemonade will definitely be worked into the rotation!
Based on that, we are clearly boring! Although, now that I think about it, we usually have a glass of red wine with chocolate for an afternoon snack. Never mind, we’re still boring in what we drink… 🙂
I love making my own lemonade but I’m so lazy that I rarely do. I need to make sure to have a pitcher of this in my fridge over the summer at all times – it looks and sounds amazing! I love that bright red colour from the strawberries. Applause for your first batch of homemade lemonade!
Thanks Nancy! I also made a batch with watermelon (that recipe coming up next month). Next – I need to make a NON-pink lemonade! haha.
Wait. Really? This is really the first time you’ve made your own lemonade. I.am.shocked. Also now I want to add ginger to mine (p.s. I like it tart too).
I know, right? I was even shocked myself when I realized I had never made it! It was definitely worth the self-imposed wait though 🙂
Perfection! I just love anything with lemons and this would be pretty fab with a little shot of something, something in it.
Oh, a little sumthin’ sumthin’? Well, if you insist.
Love this, Lori. So perfect for a summer day or BBQ!
Thanks so much, Matt. I’m so glad you stopped by!