Homemade Strawberry Lemonade

Ingredients

• 2 cups fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced
• 1 cup fresh lemon juice (about 6-8 lemons)
• 4 cups water
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• A handful of mint leaves (optional)
• Ice cubes (as needed)
• Sliced strawberries (for garnish)
• Lemon slices (for garnish)

Instructions

1. In a blender, combine the sliced strawberries and 1 cup of water. Blend until smooth, then strain the mixture through a fine-mesh sieve to remove seeds and pulp.
2. Roll the lemons on a flat surface to soften them and make juicing easier. Slice each lemon in half and use a juicer to extract the lemon juice, removing any seeds. Measure out 1 cup of lemon juice.
3. In a large pitcher, combine the strawberry puree, lemon juice, the remaining 3 cups of water, and sugar. Stir well until the sugar is completely dissolved.
4. Taste the mixture and adjust the sweetness or tartness by adding more sugar or lemon juice as needed.
5. If using mint, gently crush a few mint leaves in your hand to release their aroma and add them to the pitcher.
6. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld. Serve over ice, garnishing each glass with sliced strawberries and lemon slices.