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I beat sweltering afternoons with this strawberry coconut water lemonade. Juicy berries crash with tart lemons and mellow coconut water for a super easy, feel-good drink. My friends can’t get enough—one glass is never enough at my place. It’s a chilled-out way to keep cool and soak up those long sunny hours.
This is my sunshine pick when old-school lemonade doesn’t do it. Last year I brought a jug to the park—adults were first in line to snag a cup. It’s gone from my fridge faster than I can chill it.
Dreamy Ingredients
- Still water: starts your simple syrup and helps dilute the whole drink—go with filtered for a cleaner flavor
- Sparkling water optional: if you like bubbles, chill a bottle and top your glass with it
- Sugar white: helps smooth out tartness and makes your syrup—grab organic or fair trade if possible
- Fresh strawberries: these give natural sweetness and a rosy color—sniff out ripe, deep-red ones
- Lemon juice: makes it tangy and bright—pick lemons that feel heavy for max juice
- Coconut water: brings gentle sweetness and a splash of hydration—look for no-sugar-added kinds
- Go for the ripest fruit you can find—the difference shines through in every glass
Easy-Peasy Steps
- Serve:
- Pour over lots of ice, filling each glass. For extra fizz, splash chilled sparkling water on top. Want to get fancy? Pop in fresh strawberries or some lemon slices for looks.
- Chill:
- Tuck the pitcher into the fridge until you’re ready. All those bright flavors will mix, and it’ll be icy cold.
- Mix and Adjust:
- Dump the strawberry-lemon blend into a big pitcher. Stir in cold coconut water. Add the simple syrup little by little, tasting as you go—strawberry sweetness can be all over the place. I start with a quarter cup and a spoon or two extra.
- Blend Strawberries and Lemon:
- Put halved strawberries and all that lemon juice in a blender. Blitz until smooth and creamy. Scrape down the blender to make sure everything’s in the mix.
- Make the Simple Syrup:
- Mix water and sugar in a jar or bowl, then microwave for about a minute and a half—just enough to melt the sugar. Stir ‘til it’s clear. Cool it in the fridge. You can make this syrup days ahead.
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Coconut water melts so easily into the fresh fruit—it whisks me back to beach trips sipping from real coconuts and laughing with family. Later, my kid and I froze leftovers into sweet popsicles for poolside snacking.
Smart Storage
Keep leftover lemonade covered in your fridge for up to three days. Give it a good stir if it’s been sitting. Want to freeze it? Pop the mix into molds for homemade popsicles. If it separates, just shake it up before your next glass.
Ingredient Swaps
No strawberries? Use mixed berries or some juicy peaches instead. If you don’t have coconut water, swap in cold filtered water—you’ll miss the coconut vibe, but it still tastes great. No sugar? Go for honey or agave syrup and just sweeten it to your taste.
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Fun Ways to Serve
Pour over ice, then toss in lemon wheels or strawberry slices. Mint makes it pretty and extra fresh. Want something grown-up? Add a splash of champagne or vodka for a party twist. Freeze extras in molds and watch the kids cheer for popsicles.
Fresh Flavors Across the Globe
All over, folks shake up fruity lemon drinks. Some spots mix berries into lemon water, toss in bubbles for fizz, or use coconut water—especially near the tropics for that hint of sweetness. This drink borrows from all those ideas and gives you something totally mood-lifting.
Frequently Asked Questions
- → What about frozen strawberries?
Frozen berries are totally fine. Let them sit out for a bit before blending so they're easier to mix smooth.
- → How should I make it sweeter?
Blend your fruit first, then slowly pour in syrup. Keep tasting as you mix to nail the flavor you like.
- → Why use coconut water?
It gives your drink a boost of hydration plus a laid-back tropical feel, but won't overpower your lemon and strawberries.
- → Can I make this ahead of time?
Definitely. Mix it all up except the sparkling water, toss it in the fridge, and just add ice and fizz whenever you're ready to drink.
- → Got any tricks for squeezing lemons?
Microwave your lemons for about 20 seconds and roll them on the counter to get more juice out before you cut and squeeze them.
- → How do I turn it into a grown-up drink?
Just pour in a little vodka or some bubbly for a festive grown-up glass.