Refreshing, tangy, and sweet, this stevia-sweetened strawberry lemonade recipe is a perfect thirst quencher for a hot day. Naturally sweetened with stevia, this beverage offers a healthier alternative to traditional lemonade while still delivering the vibrant, fruity flavors that we all love. This recipe is easy to prepare and guaranteed to delight your taste buds.
The main ingredients for this recipe are fairly common and can be easily found in most supermarkets. However, you might need to look a little harder for wholesome organic stevia. It is a natural sweetener extracted from the leaves of the plant species Stevia rebaudiana and is used as a sugar substitute. You can usually find it in the baking or natural foods aisle.
Ingredients for Stevia-Sweetened Strawberry Lemonade
Strawberries: They give the lemonade a vibrant color and fruity flavor. Make sure to choose ripe and sweet ones for the best result.
Water: The base of your lemonade. You can use filtered or tap water depending on your preference.
Lemon juice: It gives the lemonade its tangy flavor. Freshly squeezed is the best.
Wholesome organic stevia: A natural sweetener that adds sweetness without the extra calories of sugar.
Ice: Makes the drink cool and refreshing. It's a must for a summer drink.
Lemon wedges and sliced strawberries: These are for garnishing your drink. It adds an extra touch of freshness and makes the drink more appealing.
One reader, Devora Hunter says:
This stevia-sweetened strawberry lemonade recipe is a game-changer! The natural sweetness of stevia perfectly complements the tangy lemon and juicy strawberries. It's refreshing, guilt-free, and a hit with my family. I love that it's a healthier alternative to traditional lemonade. A must-try for anyone looking for a delicious, low-calorie beverage!
Techniques Required for Making Stevia-Sweetened Strawberry Lemonade
How to puree strawberries: Add the strawberries to a food processor and pulse for about 1 to 2 minutes until smooth, stopping and scraping down the sides occasionally.
How to mix the lemonade: In a large pitcher, stir together the strawberry puree, water, lemon juice, and stevia until well combined.
How to serve the lemonade: Add ice to the pitcher or pour the lemonade over individual glasses filled with ice.
How to garnish: Garnish the strawberry lemonade with lemon wedges and sliced strawberries before serving.
How To Make Stevia Sweetened Strawberry Lemonade
Have a sip of this refreshing and guilt-free strawberry lemonade sweetened by Stevia, blended to perfection to bring out the freshest taste of summer.
Serves:
Ingredients
- 1½lbsstrawberries,chilled, hulled
- 8cupswater,cold
- 1¼cupslemon juice,fresh
- 2½tbspWholesome Organic Stevia,to taste
- plenty of ice
- strawberries,sliced, to garnish
- lemon wedges,to garnish
Instructions
-
Add the strawberries to a food processor and pulse for about 1 to 2 minutes until smooth, while stopping and scraping down sides occasionally.
-
In a large pitcher, stir together the strawberry puree, water, lemon juice, and Stevia. Add ice or pour over individual glasses with ice.
-
Garnish with lemon wedges and sliced strawberries.
Recipe Notes
If using Stevia packets, this is about 30 to 36 packets of the Wholesome Stevia.
Nutrition
- Calories: 37.63kcal
- Fat: 0.37g
- Saturated Fat: 0.03g
- Monounsaturated Fat: 0.04g
- Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.15g
- Carbohydrates: 13.72g
- Fiber: 2.01g
- Sugar: 5.29g
- Protein: 0.78g
- Sodium: 10.85mg
- Calcium: 24.83mg
- Potassium: 179.05mg
- Iron: 0.42mg
- Vitamin A: 0.92µg
- Vitamin C: 68.47mg
Crucial Technique Tip for Stevia-Sweetened Strawberry Lemonade
When pureeing the strawberries, ensure they are fully ripe for the best flavor. Unripe strawberries can make your lemonade taste tart. Also, if you want a smoother consistency, you can strain the puree to remove the seeds. This might take a bit of extra time, but it will result in a smoother, more refined lemonade.
Time-Saving Tips for Making This Recipe
Prep ahead: Wash and hull the strawberries in advance and store them in an airtight container in the fridge. This will save time when you're ready to make the lemonade.
Use a blender: Instead of a food processor, use a high-speed blender to quickly puree the strawberries for a smoother consistency.
Multi-task: While the strawberry puree is chilling in the fridge, prepare the lemon juice and set up the serving glasses with ice and garnishes to save time later.
Adjust sweetness: Taste the lemonade before serving and adjust the amount of stevia to your preference for a perfectly sweetened drink.
Make a large batch: Double or triple the recipe to have extra strawberry lemonade on hand for future use, saving time on preparation.
Substitute Ingredients For Stevia Sweetened Strawberry Lemonade Recipe
wholesome organic stevia - Substitute with honey or maple syrup: Honey or maple syrup can be used as a natural sweetener instead of stevia. They will add a rich, sweet flavor to the lemonade.
strawberries - Substitute with raspberries: Raspberries can be used as a substitute for strawberries to add a slightly different flavor profile to the lemonade while still providing a fruity sweetness.
Presenting Your Stevia-Sweetened Strawberry Lemonade
Elevate the glassware: Choose elegant and sophisticated glassware to serve the stevia-sweetened strawberry lemonade. Opt for crystal or artisanal glassware to add a touch of luxury to the presentation.
Garnish with precision: Place the strawberry slices and lemon wedges with precision and attention to detail. Each garnish should be meticulously placed to create a visually appealing presentation.
Incorporate edible flowers: Add a pop of color and elegance to the presentation by incorporating edible flowers such as rose petals or lavender. These delicate blooms will enhance the visual appeal of the strawberry lemonade.
Utilize a decorative tray: Present the strawberry lemonade on a decorative tray adorned with fresh mint leaves or edible gold leaf. The tray should complement the overall aesthetic and elevate the serving experience.
Customized drink stirrers: Create customized drink stirrers adorned with small strawberry or lemon accents to add a personalized and artistic touch to the presentation.
Chilled serving platter: Serve the strawberry lemonade on a chilled serving platter to maintain the optimal temperature and enhance the overall sensory experience for the esteemed guests.
Essential Tools for Making Strawberry Lemonade
- Food processor: A food processor is a kitchen appliance used for chopping, slicing, and pureeing ingredients. It's perfect for quickly and efficiently pureeing the strawberries for the lemonade.
- Large pitcher: A large pitcher is essential for mixing and serving the strawberry lemonade. It should be able to hold at least 10 cups of liquid.
- Knife: A sharp knife is needed for slicing the strawberries and cutting the lemon wedges for garnish.
- Cutting board: A cutting board provides a stable surface for slicing the strawberries and lemons.
- Measuring cups and spoons: Accurate measurements are crucial for this recipe, so measuring cups and spoons are necessary for the water, lemon juice, and stevia.
- Ice: Ice is essential for serving the strawberry lemonade chilled.
Storing and Freezing Your Homemade Strawberry Lemonade
To store the stevia-sweetened strawberry lemonade, pour it into a large pitcher or container with a tight-fitting lid. Make sure the container is clean and dry before transferring the lemonade.
Place the container in the refrigerator and store it for up to 3-4 days. The flavors will meld together over time, resulting in an even more delicious and refreshing drink.
If you notice any separation or settling of the strawberry puree at the bottom of the container, simply give it a good stir before serving.
For longer storage, you can freeze the stevia-sweetened strawberry lemonade. Pour the lemonade into freezer-safe containers or ice cube trays, leaving some room at the top for expansion during freezing.
If using ice cube trays, once the lemonade is frozen solid, transfer the cubes to a freezer-safe bag or container to save space and prevent freezer burn.
Frozen stevia-sweetened strawberry lemonade can be stored for up to 2-3 months in the freezer.
To thaw, simply place the frozen lemonade in the refrigerator overnight or for a few hours until it melts completely. You can also add the frozen lemonade cubes directly to glasses and pour fresh lemonade over them for an instantly chilled drink.
Give the thawed lemonade a good stir before serving, as some separation may occur during the freezing and thawing process.
If you find the thawed lemonade a bit too strong or concentrated, simply dilute it with a little water or lemon juice to achieve your desired taste.
Interesting Fact About Stevia-Sweetened Strawberry Lemonade
Stevia-sweetened strawberry lemonade is a refreshing and healthy alternative to traditional lemonade. It's a great source of vitamin C and antioxidants, thanks to the strawberries and lemon juice. Stevia, a natural sweetener, adds sweetness without the calories of sugar. This drink is perfect for hot summer days and can be enjoyed by people looking to reduce their sugar intake.
Is Making Strawberry Lemonade at Home Cost-Effective?
This stevia-sweetened strawberry lemonade recipe is quite cost-effective for a household. The main ingredients, strawberries and lemons, are usually affordable and readily available. The addition of wholesome organic stevia may be a bit pricier, but a little goes a long way. Overall, this refreshing drink is a budget-friendly option for a family. On a scale of 1-10, I would rate this recipe an 8 for its affordability and delicious taste. The approximate cost for a household of 4 people would be around $8-$10, making it a reasonable choice for a homemade beverage.
Is This Strawberry Lemonade Recipe Healthy?
This stevia-sweetened strawberry lemonade recipe is a healthier alternative to traditional lemonade recipes that often rely on large amounts of sugar. By using stevia, a natural sweetener derived from the stevia plant, the recipe significantly reduces the calorie and carbohydrate content while still providing a sweet and refreshing taste. The inclusion of fresh strawberries adds a boost of vitamin C, antioxidants, and fiber to the beverage. Lemon juice is also a good source of vitamin C and can aid in digestion. Overall, this recipe can be considered a healthy choice for those looking to reduce their sugar intake and increase their consumption of natural ingredients.
To further enhance the nutritional value of this strawberry lemonade, consider the following suggestions:
- Add a handful of fresh mint leaves to the blender when pureeing the strawberries for an extra burst of flavor and potential digestive benefits
- Experiment with other low-calorie natural sweeteners like monk fruit or erythritol to find the perfect balance of sweetness for your taste preferences
- Include a pinch of salt to help bring out the flavors of the strawberries and lemon juice
- For a creamier texture and added protein, blend in a small amount of silken tofu or Greek yogurt before serving
- Garnish with fresh basil leaves for an aromatic twist and potential anti-inflammatory properties
Editor's Thoughts on This Strawberry Lemonade Recipe
This stevia-sweetened strawberry lemonade recipe is a refreshing and guilt-free alternative to traditional lemonade. The use of wholesome organic stevia adds a natural sweetness without the added calories of sugar. The combination of fresh strawberries and tangy lemon juice creates a delightful balance of flavors. The addition of ice and garnishes of lemon wedges and sliced strawberries make this drink visually appealing. It's a perfect beverage for a hot summer day or any time you want a light and flavorful drink.
Enhance Your Stevia Sweetened Strawberry Lemonade Recipe with These Unique Side Dishes:
Alternative Recipes to Stevia-Sweetened Strawberry Lemonade
Why trust this Stevia Sweetened Strawberry Lemonade Recipe:
This recipe uses fresh, high-quality strawberries and lemon juice to ensure a burst of natural flavors. The use of wholesome organic stevia provides a healthier alternative to sugar, catering to various dietary needs. The detailed instructions and use of plenty of ice ensure a refreshing and thirst-quenching beverage. The garnish of strawberries and lemon wedges adds a visually appealing touch. Overall, this recipe offers a delightful, guilt-free indulgence for anyone seeking a delicious and refreshing beverage.
Was this page helpful?
Have your own special recipe to share? Submit Your Recipe Today!