June Strawberry Lemonade

June is my favorite month. It’s my birthday month and the garden is starting to take off (here in Minnesota). Besides that, it is that magical the time of year when summer vacation starts and we have months of long summer days to look forward to before structured school days begin again.

When I was a kid, June meant we would go out to the pick-your-own strawberry patch in a valley just outside of town. Strawberries from the store are just not the same, and I firmly believe that anyone who claims they don’t like strawberries have never picked their own sun-warmed berry and popped it directly into their mouth. Which is why so many of my favorite things to make in June contain strawberries, like this strawberry lemonade!

Strawberry Lemonade Ingredients

• 1 cup fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced

• 1 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice (about 4–6 lemons)

• ¾ to 1 cup honey or sugar, depending on desired sweetness

• 4–5 cups cold water

• Ice cubes

• Lemon slices, for garnish

• Fresh strawberries, for garnish

Optional Add-Ins

• Add sparkling water for a fizzy version

• Lavender, thyme, rosemary, basil, or mint leaves provide an herbal twist

• Edible flowers add a hint of floral flavor and act as a beautiful garnish: elder flower, pansies, viola, or chamomile

PRO TIP:

• Try freezing some of the strawberries (or peaches, if using) to replace ice cubes. It looks beautiful and it keeps the lemonade from watering down.

• Freeze some of the edible flowers into ice cubes for a fun surprise

Instructions

1. Prepare the strawberries
   Wash, hull, and slice the strawberries. Add them to a blender with ½ cup of water and blend until smooth.

2. Strain the puree (optional)
   For a smoother lemonade, pour the strawberry puree through a fine mesh strainer to remove seeds. If you like a more rustic homemade texture, you can skip this step.

3. Juice the lemons
   Squeeze enough lemons to make about 1 cup of fresh lemon juice. Remove any seeds.

4. Make the lemonade base
   In a large pitcher, combine the strawberry puree, lemon juice, and honey or sugar. Stir well until the sweetener dissolves.

5. Add water and chill
   Pour in 4–5 cups of cold water, depending on how strong you like your lemonade. Stir and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.

6. Serve
   Fill mason jars or glasses with ice. Pour the strawberry lemonade over the ice and garnish with lemon slices, fresh strawberries, mint sprigs, and a cute striped straw.

7. Optional sparkling version
   Replace 1–2 cups of the cold water with sparkling water just before serving for a fizzy summer drink.

Whether you’re serving this strawberry lemonade at a backyard gathering, a sunny picnic, or simply enjoying a quiet afternoon on the porch, it’s the kind of recipe that feels like summer in a glass. Fresh strawberries, bright lemons, fragrant herbs, and delicate edible flowers come together to create something both beautiful and refreshing. Don’t be afraid to make it your own with seasonal fruits, garden herbs, or whimsical garnishes — sometimes the prettiest recipes are the ones made with a little creativity and a lot of love.