Sweet, Fresh, and Naturally Refreshing

Made with fresh strawberries, lemons, oranges, and mint, this Strawberry Citrus Refresher is bursting with vibrant fruit flavor and natural freshness. Unlike traditional lemonade, this recipe uses a homemade citrus infusion made from the squeezed lemon and orange peels, extracting every bit of their natural aroma before blending with sweet strawberries. The result is a rich, refreshing drink with a smooth, slightly thick consistency that’s perfect for hot summer days, family gatherings, celebrations, or simply enjoying fresh seasonal fruit.

If you prefer a lighter, more traditional lemonade-style drink, simply increase the amount of water when preparing the citrus infusion.

Ingredients

• 1,375 g fresh strawberries, washed
• 9 large lemons (approximately 1,024 g), washed
• 1 large sweet orange, washed
• 6 cups water
• ½ cup granulated sugar (or to taste)
• 30 g fresh mint
• 2 packets vanilla sugar (optional)

Instructions

1. Juice all of the lemons and reserve the fresh lemon juice in a large bowl or pitcher.
2. Juice the orange and add the juice to the reserved lemon juice.
3. Place the squeezed lemon halves and squeezed orange halves into a large pot.
4. Pour in the 6 cups of water and bring to a gentle boil.
5. Stir in the sugar and simmer for 7–10 minutes to create a flavorful citrus infusion.
6. Remove the pot from the heat. Add the fresh mint and allow the infusion to cool completely.
7. Once cooled, strain the infusion through a fine-mesh sieve or cheesecloth, gently pressing the citrus peels to extract as much flavor as possible. Discard the solids.
8. Add the fresh strawberries to a blender. Pour in enough of the cooled citrus infusion to blend until completely smooth.
9. Transfer the blended strawberries to a large bowl or pitcher.
10. Add the reserved fresh lemon and orange juice and stir well until fully combined.
11. For a smoother consistency, strain the drink through a fine-mesh sieve to remove the strawberry seeds and pulp, if desired.
12. Stir in the vanilla sugar, if using.
13. Refrigerate until thoroughly chilled before serving.

Tips

• Wash the lemons and orange thoroughly since the peels are used to make the citrus infusion.
• Adjust the sugar to suit your preferred sweetness.
• Serve over ice for the most refreshing flavor.
• Garnish with fresh strawberries, lemon slices, orange slices, or mint leaves.
• For a thinner, traditional-style strawberry lemonade, simply increase the amount of water used when making the citrus infusion.

Yield

Approximately 3 liters (12–14 servings)

Storage

Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Stir well before serving, as the natural fruit pulp may settle over time.