Classic Strawberry Lemonade Mocktail Recipe

Let’s be honest—on a warm day, nothing sounds better than a cold, crisp drink. I always crave something simple but still a little special. This classic strawberry lemonade mocktail hits the spot with its sweet-tart balance and zero alcohol. It comes together fast, looks cheerful in a glass, and fits any get-together, even if it’s just you on the couch.

Strawberries bring a natural sweetness, while lemon juice keeps everything zippy and fresh. That combo just feels right—light, easy, and honestly, kind of addictive whether I’m hanging out solo or making a batch for friends.

You’ll find all the gear and ingredients you’ll need, plus step-by-step directions that keep things simple. I’ll throw in some tasting notes, too, so you know what you’re getting into before that first sip.

Classic Strawberry Lemonade Mocktail Recipe

I love this recipe because it blends real strawberries with bright lemon juice, so you get a refreshing, alcohol-free drink that’s never boring. The sweet fruit and sharp citrus just work, especially when you want homemade lemonade with a twist.

Equipment

• Blender – makes quick work of pureeing strawberries, fresh or frozen.
• Fine mesh strainer – keeps seeds and pulp out of your glass.
• Pitcher – big enough for the whole batch.
• Measuring cups and spoons – so you don’t overdo it on the juice or sweetener.
• Citrus juicer – if you want to squeeze lemons without the mess.
• Stirring spoon – to mix everything up.
• Glasses or stemmed glass – for serving and looking fancy.
• Knife and cutting board – for slicing up lemons or strawberries to garnish.

Having the right tools just makes this whole thing smoother, and honestly, your drink looks better with a little garnish.

Ingredients

• 1 cup fresh strawberries (frozen works fine, just thaw first)
• 1 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice (about 4–6 lemons)
• 3–4 tablespoons honey, maple syrup, agave, or simple syrup
• 3 cups cold water or sparkling water
• Ice cubes
• Fresh mint leaves or basil for garnish
• Extra lemon wedges and strawberries for serving
• Optional: club soda, ginger ale, sparkling lemon soda, or tonic water for fizz

I adjust the sweetness depending on what I’m using—honey syrup, strawberry simple syrup, or even homemade strawberry syrup. If I want that bubbly vibe, I’ll swap in sparkling lemonade or club soda for a sparkling strawberry lemon mocktail.

Instructions

• Wash and hull the strawberries.
• Toss them in the blender and puree until smooth, then strain out the seeds.
• In a pitcher, mix the strawberry puree with that fresh lemon juice.
• Add your sweetener—honey, maple syrup, or agave—and stir until it’s all dissolved.
• Pour in cold water, sparkling water, or club soda.
• Drop in some ice cubes to chill.
• Taste and tweak the sweetness or tartness if you need to.
• Pour into glasses, then top with mint, basil, lemon wedges, or a few strawberry slices.

Sometimes I get bored with plain water and swap in ginger ale or sparkling lemon soda for a fizzy strawberry basil lemonade or even strawberry pineapple lemonade.

Notes

Fresh lemon juice is my go-to, but honestly, bottled works if I’m in a rush. Frozen strawberries are fine too, especially when summer fruit is nowhere to be found.

You can really play with sweeteners. Honey syrup is smooth, maple syrup gives a deeper flavor, and agave keeps it light.

For a herbal note, I’ll muddle in some basil or mint. If I want extra fruitiness, I’ll whip up a quick strawberry syrup ahead of time.

This mocktail is kind of a blank canvas. I switch up the mixers—tonic water for a sharper edge, sparkling lemonade for more fizz. It’s always fresh, always homemade, and never boring.

Tasting Notes

When I take my first sip, the bright citrus flavor from the lemon jumps out at me. It tastes crisp and refreshing, but not in a way that’s too sharp.

The strawberry brings in a gentle sweetness that really balances out the tartness. Honestly, I love how light the drink feels on my tongue.

It’s not heavy or overly sweet, so I don’t feel weighed down—honestly, I could go for a second (or third) glass without thinking twice. The mix of fruit just tastes fresh and natural.

The colors do something extra for the whole experience. That pink shade from the strawberries? It makes the drink look so inviting.

I feel like the look matches the flavor—cheerful, simple, and honestly just easy to enjoy. Sometimes, I pick up a slight tang at the end, which keeps things interesting.

The balance between sweet and sour pulls me back for another sip almost immediately.