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Comprised of fresh strawberries and homemade rhubarb simple syrup, this refreshing rhubarb and strawberry lemonade recipe makes a delightful beverage for picnics, pool parties, and summer celebrations. A pleasant (and pink!) twist on a traditional strawberry lemonade recipe.

Why Make This Strawberry Lemonade Recipe?

I love the classic culinary pairing of rhubarb and strawberries. Because they’re both in season around the same time, these two create a natural pairing for spring and early summer recipes, like pies, jams, crumbles, compotes, and cobblers. The tartness of the rhubarb contrasts perfectly with the sweet, juicy berries. I appreciate the complexity rhubarb brings to dishes that might taste overly sweet with just strawberries alone.

This rhubarb and strawberry lemonade recipe is easy to double or triple, making it ideal for large summer gatherings like picnics, cookouts, birthday celebrations, bridal showers, graduation open houses, garden parties, festivals, or outdoor events. And let’s be honest—when it comes to summer beverages, you really can’t go wrong with lemonade. Is there anything more refreshing on a sweltering afternoon?

In addition, recipe offers a seasonally appropriate, non-alcoholic option for children, or for adults who prefer an alcohol-free drink. Try serving your rhubarb and strawberry lemonade in stemless wine glasses, mason jars, or glass pitchers on each table. Or, keep things simple and use clear plastic tumblers. (See my garnish ideas below!)

Tools and Ingredients for Making Strawberry Rhubarb Lemonade

This rhubarb and strawberry lemonade recipe requires just four ingredients: fresh strawberries, water, freshly squeezed lemon juice (not bottled—it’s too tart), and homemade rhubarb simple syrup, made from my rhubarb simple syrup recipe (see notes, below).

In addition, you’ll need a few special kitchen tools: A food processor for blending the strawberries into a purée (a powerful blender or hand blender will also work) and a fine mesh strainer for removing the seeds from the puréed strawberries. While you can make your lemonade in any type of pitcher, I like to use a 1 liter glass fridge jug like this one (in fact, exactly this one!) with a spout and handle for easing pouring.

Preparing the Rhubarb Simple Syrup

To make this rhubarb and strawberry lemonade recipe, you’ll first need to make the key component: rhubarb simple syrup!

Derived from stalks of fresh rhubarb, my rhubarb simple syrup recipe adds a bright spring flavor to this strawberry lemonade. To make it, you’ll boil chunks of chopped rhubarb until they turn into pulp, and strain out the rhubarb-infused water. Then, you’ll combine that water with granulated sugar to prepare the syrup. (It’s actually very easy to do. In addition to the ingredients and method, this rhubarb simple syrup post includes step-by-step process photos.)

One note on timing: Although boiling the rhubarb pulp and simmering the sugar syrup only takes 30-40 minutes, you’ll also need to allow an additional hour or two for the syrup to cool. For this reason, I suggest preparing the rhubarb simple syrup the day before you want to make your lemonade. Simple syrup will keep for several weeks when stored in the refrigerator, so you can prepare it a week or more in advance, or even whip up a big batch to add to several pitchers of lemonade.

Oh, and as a bonus, you can use the leftover rhubarb syrup in cocktails, or as a soaking syrup for cakes and cupcakes!

Garnishing Homemade Strawberry Lemonade

Garnishes add visual appeal and extra flavor to this classic summertime beverage. To garnish your homemade rhubarb and strawberry lemonade, try:

Fresh Lemon – For a pop of yellow color, and an additional hint of citrus, try placing a slice of fresh lemon on the rim of the glass. Or, use a microplane to grate fresh lemon zest over the ice.
Herbs – Stir in leaves or sprigs of fresh herbs. Mint, basil, and thyme all pair nicely with rhubarb and strawberries.
Strawberries – Float fresh berries in the lemonade, add slices to the rim of the glass (as I’ve done here), or use wooden skewers to assemble strawberry skewers which can double as stirring sticks.
Edible Flowers – Garnish your strawberry rhubarb lemonade with edible flowers like pansies, or sprinkle the drink with dried rose petals.
Candied Lemon – Make a batch of homemade candied citrus peels and use these to garnish your lemonade.
Lemon Sugar Rim: Dampen the rim of each (empty) glass with fresh lemon juice, then dip in granulated sugar, similar to the salted rim of a margarita glass.

Other fresh strawberry recipes you might enjoy:

Berry Smoothie Bowl
Strawberry Puff Pastry Hearts
Banana Split Breakfast Parfait
Strawberry Galette

And if you do make these, or any of my recipes, don’t forget to tag me @bastecutfold or use the hashtag #bastecutfold on Instagram. I always love to see what you’re making!

Rhubarb and Strawberry Lemonade

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Author: becky
Total Time: 15 minutes
Yield: About 37 ounces / 1 liter 1x

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Description

A rhubarb and strawberry lemonade recipe made with fresh strawberries and homemade rhubarb simple syrup.

Ingredients

Scale

75 grams fresh strawberries, hulled and diced (1/2 cup)
800 milliliters water (3 1/2 cups)
115 milliliters lemon juice (1/2 cup, or approximately 4 large lemons)
140 milliliters rhubarb simple syrup (1/2 cup), or to taste

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Instructions

Add strawberries to the bowl of a food processor. Purée until smooth. (If necessary, you can add a tablespoon or two of water to get the blades moving.)

Chopped strawberries in the bowl of a food processor