Homemade Strawberry Lemonade

We didn't have much of a winter here.  It's actually a bit sad to me that the weather is warming up (mid 80s this week) b/c the warmer it gets the sooner the HOT and not so fun time of year in Arizona starts.  Boo!  

However, if life gives you lemons you might as well make lemonade, right?!  

No really, here in AZ you can usually get lemons for free b/c people just want to get them off of their trees.  It's like zucchini and tomatoes in the summer time anywhere else.

We got a bunch of lemons for free, and then there were strawberries on sale for super cheap.  With that combination, I just had to make some easy, fast, and simple Homemade Strawberry Lemonade.

It may not be mid 80s for you this week, but it's getting closer to spring and you will want to have this recipe on hand.  It's delicious and refreshing and fun to drink it through a straw.

On a philosophical note, I think there are two types of people in the world.  There are the tart lemonade drinkers and the sweet lemonade drinkers.  Which one are you?  I prefer sweet.  

My kids are such good taste testers. :) 

Strawberry Lemonade {Homemade}
Recipe: Alohamora 
Active Time: 10 minutes
Inactive Time: 15 minutes
Servings: 8 cups or 1/2 gallon

Ingredients: 
2 c. strawberries, washed, hulled, and diced
1/2 c. sugar
1 c. water
1 c. lemon juice
1/2-1 c. sugar (1/2 c. for tart lemonade, 1 c. for sweet lemonade)
7 c. water

Directions: 

1. In a medium pot over medium to high heat bring your strawberries, 1/2 cup of sugar, and 1 cup of water to a boil.
2. Cook the strawberry syrup at a simmer for 15 minutes
3. Remove the strawberry syrup from the stove and mash the strawberries with a potato masher or barely blend them in a blender.  You still want strawberry chunks b/c it's delicious. 
4. In a large pitcher mix your lemon juice and strawberry syrup together.
5. Add the sugar to the pitcher.  If you like tart lemonade use 1/2 cup of sugar, but if you prefer sweet lemonade use a full cup of sugar.  
6. Finally add the 7 cups of water to the pitcher and stir everything together.
7. Serve with ice or chilled. 
8. Enjoy! 
9. Store leftovers in the fridge. 

Happy Spring and Happy Strawberry Lemonade drinking!