Strawberry Limeade
Homemade limeade with fresh strawberries is a flavorful and easy drink perfect for summer sipping! Made with only four ingredients, this is a great family friendly drink that is easy enough the kids can help make it.
When the weather warms up, there’s nothing quite as refreshing as an ice-cold glass of homemade strawberry limeade. Sweet, tart, and bursting with berry flavor, this drink is a favorite at our house—and it’s just as fun to make as it is to sip!
With only a few simple ingredients, this is a perfect recipe to make with your kids. It’s easy, interactive, and gives curious young helpers a chance to wash, measure, pour, and mix while building confidence in the kitchen. Whether you’re hosting a backyard picnic, planning a themed dinner night, or just looking for something fresh to drink on a sunny afternoon, this recipe delivers big flavor with very little effort.
Why you’ll love this recipe
- Sweet + tangy – The balance of juicy strawberries and bright lime juice is spot-on.
- Kid-Friendly & hands-on – Great for getting kids involved with real kitchen tasks.
- Naturally colorful – No food dye needed—just vibrant, fresh ingredients.
- Perfect for summer – A refreshing drink to cool off and enjoy outside.
f you’re in the mood for more refreshing, family-friendly drinks, there are plenty of other fun options to try! My Korean Strawberry Milk is sweet and creamy with real fruit—perfect for a playful afternoon treat. For something extra hydrating on a hot day, you’ll love watermelon agua fresca, a light and fruity drink with just the right amount of sweetness. And if you’re feeling a little fancy, lavender lemonade adds a floral twist to a classic favorite that both kids and adults will enjoy.
How to make homemade limeade with strawberries
This recipe is simple enough to pull together anytime—and fun for kids to help with! Here is a brief overview of how to make this – for the full set of directions please scroll down to the recipe card below.
Step One: Make the simple syrup
In a saucepan, combine sugar and water. Heat just until the sugar dissolves, then let it cool. This step can be done ahead of time and stored in the fridge.
Step Two: Prep the strawberries
Wash, hull, and blend the strawberries with a little water. You can strain the puree if you’d like a smoother drink, or leave it as-is for more texture and fiber.
Step Three: Juice the limes
Roll and juice your limes until you have about 1 cup of fresh juice. (Skip the bottled lime juice here—fresh really makes a difference.)
Step Four: Mix it all together
In a large pitcher, stir together the simple syrup, strawberry puree, lime juice, and more water. Chill until ready to serve, then pour over ice and enjoy!
Recipe Note:
If strawberries are out of season, use frozen strawberries that have been thawed to get the best flavor. Strawberries that are out of season tend to be bland and not be very sweet, which will affect how your limeade tastes. You could also make a watermelon variation with a watermelon syrup!
Use fresh limes that have been juiced, not the pre-juiced processed lime juice in a bottle.
Storage Information
Leftover limeade can be stored in a sealed pitcher in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The limeade might settle a little as it sits, so give it a stir before serving.
How kids can help in the kitchen
Getting your kids involved in simple kitchen tasks is a great way to spark curiosity and build kitchen confidence—even when it’s just making limeade!
- Ages 1–3 can help measure the sugar, wash the berries, and pour water.
- Ages 4–6 can also help cut the strawberries (with supervision!) and juice the limes.
- Ages 7–10+ can assist with all steps, including making the simple syrup at the stove.
Always adjust tasks based on your child’s age and skill level, and supervise closely—especially when heat or knives are involved.
Want more tips? Check out my full post on How to Get Kids Involved in the Kitchen!
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Strawberry Limeade Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 6 cups water divided
- 1 quart strawberries
- 1 cup lime juice (about 8 limes)
Instructions
- In a small saucepan, combine the sugar and 1 cup of water.
- Heat over medium heat, stirring frequently, until the sugar dissolves.
- Turn off the heat and allow it to cool to room temperature.
- Wash the strawberries and remove the tops.
- Place the strawberries in a food processor with 1 cup of water and blend until smooth. If desired, you can pass the puree through a fine mesh strainer (affiliate link) to remove the rest of the pulp and any bits that did not blend all the way.
- Reserve the juice but throw out the remaining pulp.
- Juice the limes until you have 1 cup of juice.
- In a large pitcher, combine the 1 cup of cooled simple syrup, the strawberry puree, the lime juice, and 4 additional cups of water. Stir to combine.
- Place in the fridge until ready to serve, and serve with ice.
