I’ve been experimenting with a unique canned strawberry lemonade concentrate that brightens my day. Combining 1 lb fresh strawberries, freshly squeezed lemon juice, granulated sugar, and boiling water creates a perfect balance of flavors. Mix with water or club soda for an invigorating strawberry lemonade soda that surprises and delights.
I recently stumbled upon a way to create a really unique canned strawberry lemonade concentrate that I just had to share. I decided to try it using 1 lb fresh strawberries, hulled and roughly chopped, along with 1 cup of freshly squeezed lemon juice from about 4 to 6 lemons, 1 1/2 cups of granulated sugar and 1 cup boiling water.
It was a bit of an experiment at first, but I loved every step of it. I mixed everything together and caned it for later use.
You can mix this concentrate with water or club soda for a crisp, garden-fresh drink or even mix it into your iced tea for a fun twist. I know a lot of people are into making recipes with fresh ingredients and even trying out some canning beverages at home.
Trust me this is an easy things to can for beginners type of recipe that really opens up a world of new drink possibilities.
Why I Like this Recipe
1. I really love that this recipe uses fresh ingredients like strawberries and lemon juice. It makes the drink taste so natural and homemade, and I feel like I’m not just drinking something store bought.
2. I like how simple and fast it is to make. Even though it feels a bit fancy with the boiling water and simmering, it doesn’t take long to whip up, which is perfect for surprise guests or when im in a hurry.
3. The lemonade concentrate is super versatile. I can mix it with water, club soda, or even add it to iced tea. That flexibility makes it my go-to drink for different moods and occasions.
4. I like that the process feels like a fun little experiment. Chopping the strawberries and letting the mixture cool before straining makes me feel engaged in making something truly refreshing, even if I mess up a bit sometimes.
Ingredients
- Strawberries: These juicy fruits are packed with antioxidants and a decent amount of fibre, which help support a healthy digestion.
They add a lovely natural sweetness and a vibrant color to the lemonade.
- Lemons: Freshly squeezed lemon juice gives the drink its distinct sour kick and loads of vitamin C.
They balance out the sugar and brighten up every sip.
- Sugar: Granulated sugar is the star when it comes to adding sweetness.
It’s essential for balancing lemons and strawberries even though it mostly delivers carbohydrates.
- Boiling Water: Boiling water helps dissolve sugar completely ensuring a smooth, well-blended mixture that makes the canning process simpler and more effective.
Ingredient Quantities
- 1 lb fresh strawberries, hulled and roughly chopped
- 1 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice (about 4 to 6 lemons)
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 1 cup boiling water
How to Make this
1. Start by washing your strawberries, then hull and roughly chop them.
2. Squeeze your lemons to get about a cup of fresh lemon juice (this usually takes around 4 to 6 lemons).
3. In a medium saucepan, combine the chopped strawberries, lemon juice, and 1 1/2 cup granulated sugar.
4. Boil 1 cup of water and pour it immediately into the saucepan over your mix.
5. Stir everything together until the sugar dissolves completely (it may take a minute or two).
6. Put the pan on a medium heat and let it gently simmer for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
7. Remove the saucepan from the heat and let the mixture cool for about 20-30 minutes.
8. Strain the cooled mixture through a fine mesh sieve into a bowl or pitcher, pressing down on the solids to extract as much juice as possible.
9. Pour the resulting concentrate into a clean jar or container.
10. When you’re ready to serve, mix the concentrate with water or club soda, and enjoy your garden-fresh drink!
Equipment Needed
1. A clean cutting board and a sharp knife for washing, hulling, and chopping your strawberries
2. A citrus juicer or reamer to squeeze the lemons for the fresh juice
3. A measuring cup to accurately measure the lemon juice, sugar, and water
4. A medium saucepan to mix and cook your ingredients
5. A heat-proof kettle or a pot to boil 1 cup of water (if you don’t boil the water in the saucepan)
6. A spoon or spatula for stirring until the sugar dissolves
7. A fine mesh sieve to strain the cooled mixture
8. A bowl or pitcher to collect the strained juice
9. A clean jar or container for storing the final concentrate
FAQ
Canned Strawberry Lemonade Recipe Substitutions and Variations
- Replace 1 lb fresh strawberries with about 1 lb frozen strawberries (just let them thaw a bit before using) if you can’t find fresh ones
- If you dont have freshly squeezed lemon juice, you can use bottled lemon juice. Just keep in mind the flavor might be a little less bright
- You can use brown sugar or coconut sugar instead of granulated sugar, though they might add a slight caramel or tropical flavor
- Instead of 1 cup boiling water, you can use hot tap water heated in a kettle or microwave. The goal is to dissolve the sugar properly
Pro Tips
1. Make sure you pick really good quality strawberries and lemons cuz the flavor really depends on ’em. If they ain’t ripe, your drink might taste kinda off.
2. When you’re straining the mix, try to press the fruit real firm so you squeeze out every bit of juice. It makes a world of difference in the smoothness of the drink.
3. Don’t rush the simmering bit; let it bubble gently for the full 5 minutes. This gives the sugar time to completely dissolve and lets all the flavors mix together just right.
4. If you got the time, chill your concentrate overnight. It lets the flavors meld together and makes the final taste even better when you mix it with water or club soda later.

Canned Strawberry Lemonade Recipe
I've been experimenting with a unique canned strawberry lemonade concentrate that brightens my day. Combining 1 lb fresh strawberries, freshly squeezed lemon juice, granulated sugar, and boiling water creates a perfect balance of flavors. Mix with water or club soda for an invigorating strawberry lemonade soda that surprises and delights.
8
servings
150
kcal
Equipment: 1. A clean cutting board and a sharp knife for washing, hulling, and chopping your strawberries
2. A citrus juicer or reamer to squeeze the lemons for the fresh juice
3. A measuring cup to accurately measure the lemon juice, sugar, and water
4. A medium saucepan to mix and cook your ingredients
5. A heat-proof kettle or a pot to boil 1 cup of water (if you don’t boil the water in the saucepan)
6. A spoon or spatula for stirring until the sugar dissolves
7. A fine mesh sieve to strain the cooled mixture
8. A bowl or pitcher to collect the strained juice
9. A clean jar or container for storing the final concentrate
Ingredients
-
1 lb fresh strawberries, hulled and roughly chopped
-
1 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice (about 4 to 6 lemons)
-
1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
-
1 cup boiling water
Directions
- Start by washing your strawberries, then hull and roughly chop them.
- Squeeze your lemons to get about a cup of fresh lemon juice (this usually takes around 4 to 6 lemons).
- In a medium saucepan, combine the chopped strawberries, lemon juice, and 1 1/2 cup granulated sugar.
- Boil 1 cup of water and pour it immediately into the saucepan over your mix.
- Stir everything together until the sugar dissolves completely (it may take a minute or two).
- Put the pan on a medium heat and let it gently simmer for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Remove the saucepan from the heat and let the mixture cool for about 20-30 minutes.
- Strain the cooled mixture through a fine mesh sieve into a bowl or pitcher, pressing down on the solids to extract as much juice as possible.
- Pour the resulting concentrate into a clean jar or container.
- When you're ready to serve, mix the concentrate with water or club soda, and enjoy your garden-fresh drink!
Notes
- Below you’ll find my best estimate of this recipe’s nutrition facts. Treat the numbers as a guide rather than a rule—great food should nourish both body and spirit. Figures are approximate, and the website owner assumes no liability for any inaccuracies in this recipe.
Nutrition Facts
- Serving Size: 154g
- Total number of serves: 8
- Calories: 150kcal
- Fat: 0g
- Saturated Fat: 0g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Polyunsaturated: 0g
- Monounsaturated: 0g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
- Sodium: 2mg
- Potassium: 180mg
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 1g
- Sugar: 38g
- Protein: 1g
- Vitamin A: 50IU
- Vitamin C: 40mg
- Calcium: 10mg
- Iron: 0.3mg