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Strawberry Nectarine Lemonade: A Refreshing Summer Drink

Strawberry Nectarine Lemonade

A fresh homemade lemonade combining strawberries, ripe nectarines, and freshly squeezed lemon juice for a colorful, sweet-tart summer drink. Makes about 2 quarts, or 8 servings.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 5 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Servings: 8 servings
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Fruit and Citrus
  • 2 cups Hulled strawberries
  • 2 nectarines Ripe nectarines, pitted and chopped
  • 1 1/2 cups Freshly squeezed lemon juice
Simple Syrup
  • 1 cup Granulated sugar
  • 1 cup Water
Lemonade
  • 4 cups Cold water
Serving
  • as needed Ice
  • optional Lemon slices, strawberries, and nectarine wedges

Method
 

Step-by-Step
  1. Combine 1 cup granulated sugar and 1 cup water in a small saucepan over medium heat. Stir until the sugar dissolves, simmer for about 1 minute, then remove from the heat and cool completely.
  2. Add the hulled strawberries and pitted, chopped nectarines to a blender. Blend until the fruit becomes smooth.
  3. For smooth lemonade, pour the fruit purée through a fine-mesh strainer and press on the solids. For a thicker, more rustic drink, leave the purée unstrained.
  4. In a large pitcher, combine the fruit purée, 1 1/2 cups freshly squeezed lemon juice, cooled simple syrup, and 4 cups cold water. Stir thoroughly.
  5. Taste the lemonade and adjust with a little more water if it is too strong, or a little more sugar syrup if it is too tart.
  6. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes. Serve over ice with optional lemon slices, strawberries, and nectarine wedges.

Notes

Use very ripe, fragrant fruit for the best flavor. Fresh lemon juice is preferred over bottled juice. Do not boil the lemon juice or fruit purée; add both after the syrup has cooled. Keep refrigerated and stir before serving.