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This homemade strawberry acai lemonade is bright, fruity, and wonderfully refreshing. Made with freshly squeezed lemon juice, sweet strawberries, acai, cold water, and a simple homemade syrup, it is an easy summer drink with a beautiful pink color and a fresh citrus flavor. Serve it over ice for a cooling afternoon treat, bring it to a picnic, or make a pitcher ahead of time for warm-weather gatherings.
Reasons You’ll Love This Recipe
- Fresh fruit flavor: Strawberries and acai add a sweet, berry-like taste that pairs beautifully with tart lemon juice.
- Vegan and gluten-free: This strawberry acai lemonade is naturally plant-based and gluten-free, making it a simple drink option for many diets.
- Easy to make ahead: The lemonade stores well in the refrigerator for up to 5 days, so you can prepare it in advance and enjoy it throughout the week.
- Perfect for warm weather: Served chilled over ice, this homemade lemonade is crisp, colorful, and ideal for summer parties, brunches, or casual afternoons at home.
If you enjoy fruity lemonade recipes, try making blueberry lemonade or dragon fruit lemonade next for another colorful, refreshing drink.
Ingredient Notes
This strawberry acai lemonade refresher is simple to prepare and uses just a few easy ingredients.
Simple Syrup: The simple syrup is made by heating water and sugar together until the sugar dissolves. It blends smoothly into the lemonade and sweetens the drink evenly without leaving sugar granules at the bottom of the pitcher.
Acai: Acai brings a deep berry flavor and rich color to this lemonade. Frozen acai is a convenient option because it is often sold already pureed, which makes it easy to mix into drinks.
Top Tip: Look for frozen acai in the frozen fruit section of the grocery store. If it is already pureed, simply thaw it before using.
Strawberries: Fresh strawberries give this lemonade a bright, sweet flavor. If fresh strawberries are not available, thawed frozen strawberries can also be used. Puree or muddle them well so they blend smoothly into the drink.
Lemon Juice: Freshly squeezed lemon juice is important for the best flavor. Bottled lemon juice will not taste as bright or fresh, so use fresh lemons whenever possible.
See the recipe card below for the full ingredient list and exact quantities.
Step by Step Instructions
Begin by making the simple syrup. This gives it time to cool while you prepare the fruit and lemon juice. Combine 2 cups of water and 1 cup of sugar in a saucepan and warm it on the stovetop. Stir often with a whisk until the sugar has completely dissolved. Once the syrup is clear and smooth, remove it from the heat and let it cool.
While the simple syrup cools, juice the lemons until you have 1 cup of fresh lemon juice. You will need about 6 lemons, depending on their size and juiciness. Next, puree or muddle the strawberries and acai until they are smooth enough to mix into the lemonade.
When the syrup has cooled, add the lemon juice, strawberry puree, acai, cold water, and simple syrup to a large pitcher. Stir well until everything is fully combined. Taste and adjust if needed. If you prefer a more tart lemonade, add a little more lemon juice. If you like it sweeter, add more simple syrup.
For the best flavor, chill the lemonade before serving and pour it over plenty of ice.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is acai? Acai berries come from acai palm trees that are native to South America. Acai is often known for its deep purple color and berry-like flavor, and it has become a popular ingredient in smoothies, bowls, and refreshing drinks.
How long does simple syrup last? Simple syrup can be stored in a covered container in the refrigerator for up to one week. Because it contains a high amount of sugar, it keeps well when properly chilled.
Can I freeze this lemonade? Yes. You can freeze this strawberry acai lemonade in ice cube trays and add the cubes to future drinks. You can also pour it into popsicle molds to make homemade lemonade popsicles.
Can I use frozen fruit? Yes. Frozen strawberries and frozen acai both work well in this recipe. Thaw them first, then puree or muddle before adding them to the pitcher.
Recipe Variations
Add Bubbles: For a sparkling strawberry acai lemonade, replace half of the cold water with sparkling water. Add the sparkling water just before serving to keep the drink fizzy.
Change the Flavor: If you do not have strawberries or acai, you can experiment with other fruits you enjoy. Keep the lemon juice and simple syrup as the base, then mix in another fruit puree for a different flavor.
Sugar vs. Sweetener: This recipe uses sugar to make simple syrup, but you can use the sugar or sweetener you prefer. Choose one that dissolves well and complements the fresh lemon and berry flavors.
Try some of these other plant-based recipes next:
- Vegan Fruit Dip Recipe
- Easy Vegan Pancakes
- Mango Popsicles
- Kale Avocado Smoothie
If you tried this lemonade recipe, please leave a rating and share what you think.
Strawberry Acai Lemonade
Kelsey Riley
Ingredients
- 1 cup lemon juice about 6 lemons, freshly squeezed
- ¼ cup acai pureed or muddled
- ¼ cup strawberries pureed or muddled
- 6 cups cold water
Simple Syrup
- 1 cup sugar
- 2 cups water
Instructions
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Combine the sugar and water for the simple syrup in a saucepan. Heat on the stovetop, stirring often, until the sugar dissolves. Remove from the heat and set aside to cool.
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While the simple syrup cools, juice the lemons. Puree or muddle the strawberries and acai until smooth.
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Add the lemon juice, acai, strawberries, cold water, and cooled simple syrup to a large pitcher. Stir until well combined, chill if desired, and serve over ice.