Strawberry Lemonade (Restaurant Style)
There is nothing like fresh Strawberry Lemonade. If you are craving something cold and refreshing, this is it! Adding fresh strawberries to Classic Lemonade makes it sweet and tangy.
This is my favorite restaurant drink and I especially love getting those bits of fresh strawberry in the straw. It’s actually very easy to make it at home for a fraction of the price.

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Strawberry Lemonade Recipe
Strawberry Lemonade makes for a great party drink. If you have a bunch of lemons and prefer to make lemonade from scratch, you can start with fresh-squeezed lemonade. For a larger crowd, there’s no shame in pulling a can of store-bought lemonade out of the freezer. You’ll find instructions below for both methods.
- Homemade lemonade (1 recipe makes 10 cups), or Frozen Concentrate*
- Strawberries – blend until smooth to add fresh strawberry taste and rosy color.
- Basil – this is optional, but a small handful of basil adds exciting flavor.
- Lemon Slices – add 1 slice to each glass for garnish if desired.
- Ice – add the ice as needed and add just before serving so it doesn’t dilute the lemonade.
*If using Frozen Lemonade: Use a 12 oz can of frozen Lemonade Concentrate and prepare according to the package instructions. This is typically 1 can of concentrate mixed with 4 1/3 cans of water.

How to Make Strawberry Lemonade
- Make lemonade – prepare homemade lemonade or from concentrate and pour lemonade into a pitcher.
- Strawberries – combine 3/4 of your strawberries with a small handful of basil in a good blender or food processor and blend until smooth.
- Combine – stir strawberry basil mixture into lemonade.
- To Serve – pour lemonade over glasses of ice and garnish with remaining strawberries and lemon slices.

Pro Tip: For ice-cold lemonade, keep the lemonade pitcher refrigerated until ready to serve then pour over glasses with some ice just before serving. The ice won’t melt as quickly if your lemonade is chilled to begin with.

Tips for the Best Strawberry Lemonade
We’ve all been there, you’re desperately thirsty and want to gulp down that strawberry lemonade but there’s a strawberry lodged in the straw. If you are going to be drinking through a straw or using a drink dispenser, you will want to:
- Blend strawberries really well so they don’t get stuck in your straw and won’t clog up the spout on a drink dispenser.
- Strain if desired – if you want a super smooth and pulp-free lemonade, you can strain the strawberry puree before adding it to the lemonade. We love the pulp so we never strain it.
- Add ice to the glasses (not the pitcher) so you don’t dilute your lemonade

Can I use Frozen Strawberries?
Yes! You can still enjoy strawberry lemonade in winter by substituting it with frozen strawberries. Frozen strawberries in sugar will also work but keep in mind the syrup is very sweet so you may need to add more water to your finished lemonade.
You can also experiment with different berries to make Raspberry Lemonade, a sparkling Cherry Lemonade, or even Blackberry Limeade.

More Refreshing Drinks
Try these thirst-quenching awesome Summer drinks. We’re particularly smitten with the fizzy bubbly drinks, which are always crowd pleasers!
- Lemonade – so crisp and refreshing
- Cranberry Pineapple Punch – a favorite year-round
- Iced Coffee keeps well in the fridge for weeks
- Raspberry Sherbet Punch – always disappears fast
- Brazilian Lemonade – a limeade flavor sensation
- Flavored Water – healthy and guilt-free
Strawberry Lemonade Recipe (Restaurant Style)

Ingredients
- 10 cups lemonade, (or 12 oz can frozen lemonade*)
- 1/2 lb strawberries, washed and hulled
- 1 lemon, sliced for garnish
- 1/4 cup fresh basil , (a small handful, lightly packed), optional
- Ice, as needed to serve
Instructions
- Pour lemonade into a pitcher. Set aside 4 strawberries to slice for garnish if desired. Cut the remaining strawberries in half.
- Use a blender or food processor to blend together the halved strawberries and basil leaves until smooth.
- Stir strawberry mixture, remaining sliced strawberries and lemon slices into the lemonade and serve over glasses filled with ice.
Notes
Nutrition Per Serving
This strawberry lemonade recipe was first published in 2012 and here is the original photo. We updated the photos and added instructions for using fresh or frozen lemonade.

Thank you Natasha for all the recipes you have showned…I have made most of them and they were all a hit..thanking you again..your loyal fan
Aww that’s just awesome, Edna! I’m so happy to hear you’re loving my recipes!
I just found out I’m type 2, so I can’t use sugar which is in your original Lemonade recipe. Can anyone suggest the best sugar substitute make this mouth watery temptation and not end up tasting like a chemical mixture? Thanks so much.
Hi Natasha fir the strawberry lemonade can we leave out the basil? I’m afraid it might be to strong the taste of the basil in the lemonade.
Hi Yesenia. Yes, you could leave it out. You can also use mint leaves in its place.
Hi Natasha! Hope you and your family are safe, especially in these unprecedented times. I just wanted to let you know that I tried the recipe, and luvvvvvvd it! I did not have any basil leaves, so just added a prince of salt to give it that extra flavour, and OMG! It was amazing!
Hello Sireen, that’s awesome feedback! Thank you so much for sharing that with us.
Hey, Natasha is it ok to use frozen strawberries instead of fresh ones?
Hi Clay, we prefer it fresh, but it may still work with frozen. I hope you love this lemonade!
Everyone around here loves Strawberry Lemonade. I usually make it with mint leaves instead of basil. I will have to try a small amount with basil and see how people like it.
Sounds like a good plan, Donna. Please share with us how it goes!
Thanks for the recipe Natasha! I am going to make this for my graduation party. ( Just graduated from Elementary school!!!) Can you make a Copy cat recipe from the Cheesecake Factory please? The recipes I want are the oreo cheesecake, their mac and cheese balls and their spicy crispy chicken sandwich. Thanks once again. Love the recipes and keep them coming. Next I think I am going to make your baklava! 🙂 😉 ;D
You’re welcome and congratulations! Thank you for your suggestions, I’ll try to add those to our list.
Strawberry lemonade is my FAVORITE. I didn’t think my kids would like the basil, but I was pleasantly surprised! They loved it! Will definitely be making this regularly for the rest of the summer.
That is the best when kids love what we moms make. That’s so great!
Our family’s new favorite summer drink! Thank you!
That’s just awesome! Thank you for sharing your wonderful review, Beth! It’s so refreshing!
This recipe was amazing, the perfect refreshing summer drink. I will be making this on repeat all summer long!
It’s the best! I’m so glad you enjoyed it, Andrea!
I made this so refreshing
I’m so happy you enjoyed that. Thank you for sharing that with us, Tashmier!
Thank you so much for sharing this recipe! Me and my family enjoyed it a LOT!! It tasted amazing and I highly recommend it!
I’m so glad you enjoyed it! Thank you for the wonderful review!
This recipe was absolutely AMAZING!! It tasted so good! Me and my family really enjoyed this! Thank you so much for sharing this recipe!
You’re welcome! I’m so happy you enjoyed it, Natalie.
clean strawberry’s 1st with a vinegar water bath & rinse well after about a 10-15 minute soak. I’ve read you can also do it with salt water or baking soda water. It gets the bugs & worms out of the strawberries.
Thank you so much for sharing that with me Bev!
Oh I love this lemonade! Instead of basil I added mint, and it was like Strawberry Mojito. Yum!!!!Love your easy recepies Natasha
I’m so glad you enjoyed that Maria!
Hello Natasha,
This is such a yummy drink.
I was wondering if I could make a mix berry lemonade. Also, can I use other fruits such as pinapple.
Hi Nina, I bet that could work! If you experiment, let me know how you liked the recipe!
Okay, WOW! BEST lemonade I’ve ever had!!! My husband and I made this and absolutely loved it! Definitely will be making it again!
That’s so great! It sounds like you have a new favorite, Christina!
The fam and relatives were quite surprised when they learned I made a beverage yesterday; I man the grills and smoker and never make refreshments. They were even more surprised that my first attempt was a taste to behold. Thank you for this recipe!
You’re very welcome Brian! I’m happy you enjoyed that!
Hi Natasha,
The drink looks delicious! In the recipe where you use the frozen lemonade, it lists basil for ingredients but does not mention what to do with it. Do I blend it with strawberry or just add fresh to the drink?
Hi Maya, you can do either. We usually blend it with the strawberries but you can add fresh leaves or tear them in half to release their flavor and aroma and garnish the top with leaves if you prefer. Both work great.
This is seriously the best lemonade I’ve ever had. Thanks for a great recipe!
That’s so great! I’m so happy you enjoyed that!
This is really a new one. I didn’t hear about this dish before anyhow i tried in my home its awesome to have. Thank you for sharing this.
You’re so welcome! I’m happy you enjoyed this Lemonade!
Refreshing and delicious!
So perfect for summer! Thank you for that awesome review Melissa!
Yes, please! I’ll be making this for our next bbq for sure!
We’re doing the same Krissy! I hope you love this recipe!
This is my son’s favorite drink to order at restaurants, love that we can make it at home!
Isn’t it the best! Thank you for that awesome review, Erin!
I can see us sipping on this all summer long! Such a great flavor combination.
Thank you Jen! It really is easy to get hooked on strawberry lemonade. I hope it becomes a new favorite for you!
I just love your photos. Combining strawberries with basil is not a combination that I have tried before. I’m definitely going to try your recipe to see how it tastes.
You’re so nice! Thanks Harriet! I hope you enjoy this recipe!
Can I made it a day before serving it? And just keep in fridge?
Hi Natalie, yes that would work fine but I would add the basil fresh before serving so it doesn’t overpower the flavor as it sits in the fridge.
Hi Natasha, I would love to make this lemonade for my son’s birthday, I have a 1.5 Gallon Beverage Dispenser, do I need to double this recipe to fill it up? Thank you!!
Hi Nina, yes you would want to double it. You may even have room to triple it unless you want to keep the space for fruit and ice cubes; in that case, I would double the recipe 🙂
Thank you I will double it !!:)
This looks s so yummy…pinning for later!
~Saprina
www.SaprinaSays.com
Looks so yummy! I’ll be making this for my sons bday party.
Where did u get that big jar with the lid that clips? Want one so bad!
It was from Marshall’s. I’m not sure where they regularly sell these items though.
Oooh I’m on my way to Winco right now to buy what I need for this lovely drink!
As fur as basil goes, where can I get it and what department?
Thanks mucho!!
I bought the growing basil for $3 that you keep in a cup with water on the counter. Lasts forever if you water it and keeps growing new leaves as you pinch off the old ones. It’s usually next to the lettuce. If you want just a package of basil, it’s near the mushrooms but it’s the same price and will wilt much faster. This lemonade is also good without basil if for whatever reason they don’t have it. Enjoy!
Thank you for your super helpful, super speedy reply!
🙂
You’re welcome 🙂
I love strawberry lemonade and I love basil. It’s only natural to combine the two. Thanks for sharing 🙂
I would love one now! Looks so refreshing!
Hi Natasha, this is so refreshing, perfect for summer days. Never tried with basil but definatly will. 🙂
Inessa; it works well without it, but the basil does add a little freshness to it.
Hi Natasha,
Yes, I was looking for meringue cookies and I would love to learn how to make bize as well. We love buying it in the russian store.
I’ve tried making them a couple times. My favorites are the ones from Trader Joe’s; big, thick and crunchy! I keep trying to make mine taste and look like that and haven’t been able to do it yet. I guess my standards are too high for this cookie 🙂 Double bummer: we don’t have a Trader Joes nearby. But, if I figure it out, I’ll definitely post it 🙂 As for zefir; have you checked out mom’s purse facebook page? I made those once with good results. It’ just makes a huge batch.
This looks SO refreshing! Can’t wait to try it…I bet the basil adds a wonderful fresh kick!
Yes it does add a little somethin’ somethin’!! 🙂
Hi Natasha,
This looks great. I am definitely going to make it for my son’s 2nd birthday party next weekend.
Also, do you have a recipe for zefir and bize?
Thanks
I’d blend the strawberries for kids so its more drinkable. I don’t have any zefir posted yet. What do you mean by bize? I have a couple cakes made with bize (crunchy meringue). Or are you looking for meringue cookies?
Perfect summer drink!!! Yumm
I hope you love it. I’m drinking a giant glass of it right now 🙂