There is just something about homemade lemonade that feels like summer showed up and kicked off its shoes.

But this state fair strawberry lemonade? This one is extra special. It’s bright, fresh, sweet, tart, and tastes like the kind of drink you’d walk around with at a county fair while trying to decide if you need funnel cake too. The strawberries get muddled right in with the lemon and sugar, so all those juicy flavors mix together from the very start. Then you add ice, water, and give it a good shake-shake-shake until it’s icy cold and perfectly refreshing.If you already love my State Fair Lemonade, this strawberry version is such a fun twist for summer.

This is one of those super simple recipes that barely takes any time, but everybody gets excited when you make it. My kids are absolutely crazy for it and ask for it often. It’s just one lemon, a few strawberries, a little sugar, and a quick shake, but somehow it tastes like summer in a glass.

Table of Contents

Why You’ll Love This Strawberry Lemonade

It takes just a few minutes to make
You only need a handful of simple ingredients
The muddled strawberries make it taste extra fresh
It’s sweet, tart, cold, and so refreshing
It feels like a fair drink without leaving home

Ingredients

1 lemon, quartered
4 strawberries, cut up
1/4 cup sugar
2 cups cold water
1 to 2 cups ice

How to Make State Fair Strawberry Lemonade

Muddle the fruit and sugar
Add the quartered lemon, cut strawberries, and sugar to a large mason jar, mason jar. Muddle everything together really well until the strawberries and lemon release their juices.
You want it juicy and messy here. That’s where all the good flavor comes from.

lemon, strawberry and sugar in a jar to be muddled

Add water and ice
Pour in the cold water and add the ice.

Shake it up
Seal the jar tightly and shake, shake, shake until everything is cold and mixed well.

Strain and serve
Strain into glasses over fresh ice if you want a smoother lemonade, or leave a little pulp in if you like it rustic and extra fresh.

mason jar with ice and strawberry lemonade

A Few Notes From My Kitchen

I love this recipe because it doesn’t feel fussy at all. No syrup to cook, no blender to drag out, and no complicated steps. You just muddle everything together, pour, shake, and you’re done.

It’s perfect for hot days, cookouts, and easy family dinners. If you’re putting together a summer meal, this would be so good with my Creamy Pasta Salad or Old-Fashioned Potato Salad with Cooked Dressing on the side.

The lemon gives it that fresh tart lemonade flavor, and the strawberries soften it just enough to make it taste extra summery. And if you’re in a full-on strawberry mood, you could finish things off with my Strawberry Shortcake for dessert.

And yes, the shaking part is half the fun.

Tips for the Best Strawberry Lemonade

Use ripe strawberries
The riper the strawberries, the better the flavor. If they’re sweet and juicy, your lemonade will taste even better.

Roll the lemon first
Before cutting your lemon, roll it on the counter with your hand. It helps release more juice when you muddle it.

Adjust the sweetness to taste
If you like a tarter lemonade, start with the 1/4 cup sugar. If your lemon is extra sharp or you want it sweeter, add a little more.

Serve it ice cold
This is best when it’s really cold. Lots of ice makes it taste even more refreshing.

Variations

Make it extra strawberry-y
Add a couple more strawberries if you want a stronger berry flavor.

Add sparkling water
Swap part of the cold water for sparkling water for a fizzy version. You might want to stir instead of shake on this one.

Make a pitcher
Double or triple the recipe if you’re making it for a cookout, porch sitting, or a family dinner.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to strain it?
Nope. You can leave it as-is if you like a more homemade, rustic lemonade. Straining just gives it a smoother texture.

Can I make this ahead of time?
It’s best fresh, but you can make it a little ahead and keep it in the fridge. Just give it a good stir or shake before serving.

Can I use bottled lemon juice?
Fresh lemon is definitely best here since you’re muddling the whole lemon pieces with the strawberries and sugar. That gives it the freshest flavor.

Final Thoughts

This state fair strawberry lemonade is one of those little recipes that feels almost too easy to be this good. But every time I make it, everybody lights up. It’s quick, refreshing, and tastes like something special without making a big production out of it.

That’s my kind of summer recipe.