Strawberry Peach Lemonade
If you make one drink this summer, make this one. Fresh strawberries and ripe peaches blended into a smooth fruit puree, combined with freshly squeezed lemon juice and a simple syrup, poured over ice and garnished with peach slices, strawberry slices, lemon wheels, and fresh mint. It is sweet, tart, fruity, and impossibly refreshing in a way that any store-bought lemonade cannot come close to matching.
The fruit puree is what makes this lemonade genuinely special. Blending real strawberries and peaches into the base rather than using a flavored syrup or juice produces a drink with actual fruit flavor in every sip. You can taste the difference immediately and so can everyone you serve it to.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Fresh blended strawberries and peaches produce a real fruit flavor that flavored syrups and concentrates cannot replicate.
The simple syrup dissolves completely into the lemonade for a perfectly smooth, evenly sweetened drink without any gritty undissolved sugar.
It is completely customizable. Add more water for a lighter drink, more syrup for sweeter, more lemon juice for tarter. The recipe adjusts to your taste.
It makes a full pitcher that keeps in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, which makes it ideal for summer entertaining or having a cold drink ready all week.
Ingredients Needed to Make Strawberry Peach Lemonade
Simple, fresh summer ingredients. Here is what you need.
The Simple Syrup
Granulated sugar dissolved in water over gentle heat produces a clear, smooth sweetener that integrates evenly into the cold lemonade without any graininess. Let it cool completely before using.
The Fruit Base
Fresh strawberries with the stems removed and ripe peaches pitted and chopped blend into a smooth, vibrantly colored puree that is the foundation of the drink. The riper the fruit the more natural sweetness and flavor the finished lemonade has.
The Lemon Juice
Fresh squeezed lemon juice is essential. It provides the primary tart brightness that defines lemonade and makes the fruit flavors pop. About 8 to 10 lemons produces the 1 3/4 cups needed for this recipe.
How to Make Strawberry Peach Lemonade
One saucepan, one blender, one pitcher.
Step 1: Make the Simple Syrup
In a small saucepan, combine the sugar and 2 cups of water. Heat over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the sugar is completely dissolved and the liquid is clear. Remove from heat and let cool to room temperature. For faster cooling, transfer to a jar and refrigerate.
Step 2: Blend the Fruit
Add the stemmed strawberries and chopped peaches to a blender. Blend on high until completely smooth. For a cleaner, more refined lemonade, pour the puree through a fine mesh sieve and press with a spatula to extract as much liquid as possible, discarding the solids. Leave it unstrained for a more rustic, pulpy texture with more visible fruit character.
Step 3: Build the Pitcher
In a large pitcher, combine the fresh lemon juice, cooled simple syrup, and fruit puree. Stir well until everything is evenly combined.
Step 4: Add Water and Adjust
Add 2 cups of cold water and stir. Taste and adjust. Add the remaining water for a lighter result, extra lemon juice for more tartness, or a small additional drizzle of simple syrup for more sweetness. Everyone’s preference is different and this is the moment to make it yours.
Step 5: Chill and Serve
Refrigerate until completely cold. Serve over ice in tall glasses garnished with peach slices, strawberry slices, lemon wheels, and a sprig of fresh mint.
Storing
Store in a sealed pitcher or airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Stir well before serving each day since the fruit puree settles to the bottom over time. The flavor actually develops and deepens slightly after the first day as the fruit puree infuses further into the lemon and syrup base.
How to Serve Strawberry Peach Lemonade
Serve over plenty of ice in tall glasses with a generous garnish of fresh peach slices, strawberry slices, a lemon wheel on the rim, and a sprig of fresh mint. For a party pitcher presentation, add the garnishes directly to the pitcher for a stunning centerpiece that looks as good as it tastes. I love serving this alongside the Blistered Shishito Peppers for a summer gathering spread that covers both a refreshing drink and a bold, easy appetizer without any overlap.
Frequently Asked Questions About Strawberry Peach Lemonade
Can I use frozen strawberries and peaches?
Yes. Thaw them completely and drain any excess liquid before blending. Frozen fruit produces a slightly less vibrant color and a more muted flavor than peak-season fresh fruit but still makes an excellent lemonade. During summer when fresh peaches and strawberries are at their best, fresh is always the better choice.
Do I need to strain the fruit puree?
It depends on your preference. Straining produces a cleaner, more translucent lemonade with a smoother texture and a more refined appearance. Leaving it unstrained produces a more rustic, pulpy lemonade with visible fruit texture and a more intensely fruity character. Both are delicious. Strain for entertaining and skip the straining for a casual everyday version.
Can I make this into a cocktail?
Yes. Add 1 to 2 ounces of vodka, peach schnapps, or white rum per glass for an adult version. Stir the spirit directly into each glass rather than the whole pitcher so the non-alcoholic version is also available from the same batch. A splash of prosecco added right before serving makes an excellent sparkling variation.
How much lemon juice do I need and how many lemons does that take?
The recipe calls for 1 3/4 cups of fresh lemon juice which typically requires 8 to 10 medium lemons depending on their size and juiciness. Room temperature lemons yield significantly more juice than cold ones. Rolling them firmly on the counter before cutting also helps release more juice. A citrus juicer or reamer makes the process much faster than squeezing by hand.
Strawberry Peach Lemonade
Ingredients
Instructions
- In a small saucepan, combine the sugar and 2 cups water. Heat over medium heat, stirring, just until the sugar fully dissolves. Remove from heat and let cool completely.
- Add the strawberries and chopped peaches to a blender and blend until completely smooth.
- For a smoother lemonade, strain the puree through a fine mesh sieve to remove the solids. Skip this step if you prefer a more textured, pulpy lemonade.
- In a large pitcher, combine the fresh lemon juice, cooled simple syrup, and fruit puree. Stir well.
- Add 2 to 2 1/2 cups of cold water and stir. Taste and adjust the sweetness or water level to your preference.
- Chill well and serve over ice with peach slices, strawberry slices, lemon wheels, and fresh mint as garnish.
Notes
- Make the simple syrup ahead of time and refrigerate it so it is completely cold before adding to the pitcher. Adding warm syrup will dilute the ice and melt it quickly.
- Fresh lemon juice is non-negotiable here. Bottled lemon juice does not have the same brightness and the entire drink is built around fresh citrus flavor.
- Start with 2 cups of water and taste before adding more. The sweetness and tartness of the fruit varies so adjust to your own preference.
- For a party, make a double batch and keep it in the refrigerator. It stays fresh for up to 3 days.
