Strawberry Rhubarb Lemonade

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Strawberries, rhubarb, sugar, lemon juice, and water are the only ingredients you’ll need to create this cool summer drink! Strawberry rhubarb lemonade is sweet, tart, and refreshing.

mason jars filled with fresh strawberry rhubarb lemonade with lemons al around.

There is no better feeling than a sip of cold, tangy lemonade while you’re outside on a hot day! This recipe is a great way to beat the heat and will have you coming back for another glass. It is easy to make and gives you something different instead of your traditional lemonade. 

The tartness of the rhubarb intensifies the sweetness of the strawberries and offers an amazing flavor. I love that this lemonade can be served any time! If you want to serve it with a meal or just as a refreshing drink on its own, you can’t go wrong. I guarantee this strawberry rhubarb lemonade will be a big hit!

tall glass pitcher filled with ice and fresh strawberry rhubarb lemonade.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

  • There is a tasty balance of sweet and sour flavors that make the lemonade irresistible.
  • It is the best drink to cool off on a hot day.
  • You only need 5 ingredients, and it can be ready in less than 30 minutes.

Recipe Ingredients

portion bowls each with digitally labeled raw ingredients to make Strawberry Rhubarb Lemonade.
  • Water
  • Rhubarb— For a slightly tart flavor and beautiful pink color. 
  • Strawberries—Washed and sliced.
  • Sugar—To contrast the tart rhubarb and lemon juice. 
  • Lemon Juice—Fresh works best, but bottled lemon juice can be used as well.


See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.

How to Make Strawberry Rhubarb Lemonade

sauce pan reducing down the ingredients to make strawberry rhubarb lemonade.
sauce pan reducing down the ingredients to make strawberry rhubarb lemonade.

Step #1. In a medium pot, add the water, rhubarb, strawberries, and sugar. Heat until the mixture boils, stirring often. 

Step #2. Remove from the heat and roughly crush the berries and rhubarb with a potato masher or the back of a wooden spoon. 

clear mixing bowl of strawberry rhubarb lemonade.
tall glass pitcher filled with fresh strawberry rhubarb lemonade.

Step #3. Strain the mixture and discard the solids. Refrigerate the liquid until it is cool.

Step #4. Add the cold strawberry rhubarb liquid and lemon juice to a large pitcher and stir together. Serve over ice, and enjoy!

Recipe FAQs

What is rhubarb?

Rhubarb is technically a vegetable that has a similar shape, crunch, and texture to celery. However, it is often used in desserts or sweeter dishes much like a fruit, so many people consider it to be a fruit. It is known for its bright pink color and the tart, sour flavor it carries on its own when raw. Because of this, rhubarb will often be boiled and combined with sugar for a perfectly balanced sweet and sour flavor! In this recipe, the tartness of the rhubarb complements and intensifies the sweet strawberries, making the most bright and refreshing drink.

Can I use bottled lemon juice?

While you can use bottled lemon juice, I would strongly recommend using fresh if possible. The bright and tangy flavor that fresh lemon juice brings will take your lemonade to the next level. Keep in mind you will need 1 cup of lemon juice for this drink, which is equal to about 6 lemons. You can use a handheld lemon juicer, or an electric juicer to juice the lemons. I suggest rolling the lemons on the counter firmly with the palm of your hand before you cut them to get as much juice as possible! Again, if you are in a pinch, then bottled lemon juice will definitely do the job. 

Why do I need to boil the strawberries and rhubarb?

This is a crucial step in this recipe for a few reasons. First, it will mellow out the tartness of the rhubarb. Next, it will soften the ingredients so that you can mash them easily. Lastly, it will help to release the flavor of the strawberries and rhubarb and add a bold flavor to your drink. You only need to boil for about 5 minutes, mash the berries and rhubarb, then allow the mixture to cool down and the flavors to set before straining! 

mason jars filled with fresh strawberry rhubarb lemonade with lemons al around.

How to Serve and Store Strawberry Rhubarb Lemonade 

Strawberry rhubarb lemonade is a wonderful, refreshing drink that can be served for any occasion! It goes well with fresh and light meals such as sandwiches, hamburgers, or a bright Greek salad. You can add a garnish of lemon slices or sliced strawberries to elevate the look as you serve this lemonade, just don’t forget the ice!

If you have any leftover lemonade, you can store it in your fridge for up to 5-7 days. Store it in a covered pitcher or a large mason jar with a lid for freshness. Give the lemonade a quick stir before you pour and serve it and you’re all set!

Expert Tips

  • In this recipe, you can use fresh or frozen strawberries. They will be boiled and discarded anyways, so either one works. 
  • If you like your lemonade a bit more tart, reduce the amount of sugar or add more lemon juice. Play with it a little until it tastes perfect for you!
  • As you strain your juice, use the back of a spoon to firmly press the solids against the strainer to get as much liquid out of them as you can.
  • Feel free to use bottled lemon juice if you are in a pinch. It is important to note that bottled lemon juice doesn’t have quite as much flavor as freshly squeezed lemon juice.
  • Fresh rhubarb can usually be found at major grocery stores from late spring to early summer, but you can also use frozen rhubarb that has been thawed in the fridge.

More Recipes To Consider

mason jars filled with fresh strawberry rhubarb lemonade with lemons al around.
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Strawberry Rhubarb Lemonade

Strawberry Rhubarb Lemonade is sweet and tart for a perfect, cold summery drink that only has a few ingredients. Made with fresh strawberries and rhubarb, this simple summer drink is the best way to beat the heat!
Prep: 15 minutes
Cook: 10 minutes
Total: 25 minutes
Servings: 8 cups

Ingredients 

  • 4 cups water
  • 2 to 2 1/2 cups rhubarb, trimmed and cut into chunks
  • 1 pint strawberries, stems removed and cut in half
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1 cup fresh lemon juice, about 6 lemons
  • 3-4 cups ice
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Instructions 

  • In a medium pot add the water, rhubarb, strawberries and sugar. Heat over medium high heat, stirring often until the mixture starts to boil. Boil for 5 minutes. Remove from the heat and roughly crush the berries and rhubarb with a potato masher or the back for a wooden spoon. Let the mixture sit for 10 minutes.
  • Strain the mixture through a fine mesh strainer. Use the back of a spoon to firmly press the solids against the strainer to get as much liquid out of them as you can. Discard the solids (or feed them to your chickens) and refrigerate the liquid until it is cool.
  • When you are ready to serve add the cold strawberry rhubarb liquid and lemon juice to a large pitcher and stir together. Add the ice and stir again. Serve right away. Garnish with lemon slices and/or sliced strawberries if you’d like.

Notes

It works great to get the strawberry rhubarb juice made a day or two in advance. Just keep it in the fridge and stir everything together right before you are going to serve it.

Nutrition

Serving: 1 of 8 cups, Calories: 130kcal, Carbohydrates: 33g, Protein: 1g, Fat: 0.4g, Saturated Fat: 0.04g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 0.04g, Sodium: 13mg, Potassium: 232mg, Fiber: 2g, Sugar: 29g, Vitamin A: 48IU, Vitamin C: 50mg, Calcium: 51mg, Iron: 0.4mg
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12 Comments

  1. Jessica Durham says:

    This lemonade was absolutely incredible! I made it over and over this summer. Kids and adults couldn’t get enough of it. This has now surpassed my previous go-to regular lemonade from here.

  2. Inger @ Art of Natural Living says:

    Wow, like a blend of my strawberry limeade and rhubarb lemonade. Equally delicious I’m sure! Yes, so many delicious summer beverages, so little time!