Strawberry Lemonade Mocktail
This sparkling strawberry lemonade mocktail uses fresh strawberries, real lemon juice, and sparkling water added at the very end -- the detail nobody mentions and the one that keeps it fizzy. Batch-ready and done in 10 minutes.
Servings 4 glasses
Calories 75kcal
Cost $5
Equipment
- 1 Blender or muddler
- 1 Fine mesh strainer for smooth version
- 1 Large pitcher
Ingredients
For the Strawberry Base
- 2 cups fresh strawberries hulled; frozen works in off-season
- 3 tbsp simple syrup 1:1 sugar to water, dissolved
For Each Glass
- 1 oz fresh lemon juice about half a lemon per glass -- bottled lemon tastes flat
- 4 oz cold sparkling water added last -- never in advance
- ice as needed
- strawberry or lemon slice for garnish, optional
Instructions
Make the Strawberry Base
- Combine hulled strawberries and simple syrup in a blender. Blend until completely smooth. For a cleaner drink, strain through a fine mesh strainer to remove seeds. For a more textured version, skip straining. The base keeps refrigerated for 3 days.
- Taste the strawberry base. Add more simple syrup if the berries are tart. If they're very sweet, reduce syrup. The base should be slightly sweeter than you want the final drink -- the sparkling water will dilute it.
Assemble Each Glass
- Fill a tall glass with ice. Squeeze 1 oz of fresh lemon juice over the ice.
- Spoon or pour 3 to 4 tablespoons of the strawberry base over the ice and lemon. Stir briefly to combine.
- Pour 4 oz of cold sparkling water slowly over the back of a spoon. Do not add the sparkling water in advance or to the pitcher -- it goes flat within minutes. Add it per-glass at serving time only. Stir once gently from the bottom and serve immediately.
Notes
Always add sparkling water last, per glass -- never into the pitcher. This is the only detail that keeps the mocktail fizzy.
For a party pitcher: prepare the strawberry base + lemon juice in the pitcher; add sparkling water per-glass as guests serve themselves.
Fresh strawberries give the best flavor. Frozen work fine -- they release more juice when blended.
