This Sparkling Strawberry Ginger Lemonade is a refreshing homemade drink made with fresh strawberry syrup, lemon juice, elderflower syrup, ginger shot, and cold sparkling water. It is fruity, slightly tangy, lightly sweet, and has a beautiful ginger kick at the end.
I made this drink for serving in a jug, which makes it perfect for guests, iftar dinners, summer gatherings, brunch tables, or family meals. The homemade strawberry syrup gives the drink a rich berry flavor, while the lemon juice keeps it fresh and bright. The elderflower syrup adds a soft floral sweetness, and the ginger shot gives it a warm, refreshing twist.
It looks beautiful in a glass, tastes light and fresh, and feels a little special without being difficult to make.
Why You’ll Love This Strawberry Ginger Lemonade
This drink is simple but feels fancy. Instead of using store-bought strawberry syrup, you make a quick homemade strawberry syrup with blended strawberries, sugar, salt, and lemon juice.
Once the syrup is ready, the drink comes together in minutes. Just add strawberry syrup, lemon juice, elderflower syrup, ginger shot, and cold sparkling water to a jug.
It is a lovely drink for entertaining because you can make the strawberry syrup ahead of time and mix the drink right before serving.
Ingredients You’ll Need
For the Strawberry Syrup
- 2 cups strawberries
- ½ to ¾ cup sugar, adjust to taste
- Pinch of salt
- 1 to 2 tablespoons lemon juice
For One Serving Jug
- 30% strawberry syrup
- 3 tablespoons lemon juice, adjust to taste
- 1 tablespoon elderflower syrup
- 2 tablespoons ginger shot
- Cold sparkling water, enough to fill the jug
- Ice cubes, optional
- Fresh strawberries, optional
- Lemon slices, optional
- Mint leaves, optional
How to Make Strawberry Syrup
Step 1: Blend the Strawberries
Wash the strawberries and remove the green tops.
Add the strawberries to a blender and blend until smooth.
Step 2: Cook the Syrup
Pour the blended strawberries into a pan.
Add sugar, a pinch of salt, and lemon juice. Mix well.
Cook on low heat until the mixture becomes slightly thick and syrupy. Stir often so it does not stick to the pan.
Step 3: Strain and Cool
Once the strawberry syrup thickens, pass it through a strainer to remove seeds and extra pulp.
Let the syrup cool completely before using it in the drink.
You can make this syrup ahead of time and keep it in the fridge.
How to Make Sparkling Strawberry Ginger Lemonade
Step 1: Add Strawberry Syrup
Take a serving jug and fill about 30% of it with the prepared strawberry syrup.
This gives the drink a strong strawberry flavor and a beautiful color.
Step 2: Add Lemon Juice
Add 3 tablespoons of lemon juice.
You can adjust the lemon juice according to your taste. Add more if you like it tangier, or less if you want it sweeter.
Step 3: Add Elderflower Syrup and Ginger Shot
Add 1 tablespoon of elderflower syrup.
Then add 2 tablespoons of ginger shot.
The elderflower syrup gives a soft floral sweetness, while the ginger shot adds a refreshing spicy kick.
Step 4: Add Sparkling Water
Fill the rest of the jug with cold sparkling water.
Mix gently so the drink stays fizzy.
Taste and adjust. You can add more strawberry syrup for sweetness, more lemon juice for tanginess, or more sparkling water if you want it lighter.
Step 5: Serve Cold
Add ice cubes if you like.
Serve immediately in glasses. You can garnish with fresh strawberries, lemon slices, or mint leaves.
Tips for the Best Strawberry Ginger Lemonade
Let the strawberry syrup cool completely before adding sparkling water.
Always add sparkling water right before serving so the drink stays fizzy.
Do not stir too hard after adding sparkling water, or the bubbles will reduce.
Adjust everything according to taste. Some people like it sweeter, while others prefer more lemon and ginger.
Use cold sparkling water for the best refreshing taste.
Make-Ahead Tips
You can prepare the strawberry syrup 1 to 2 days ahead and store it in the fridge.
You can also squeeze lemon juice ahead of time and keep it chilled.
Do not mix the sparkling water until serving time. This keeps the drink fresh and bubbly.
For guests, keep the syrup mixture ready in a jug, and add cold sparkling water just before serving.
Where to Serve This Drink
This sparkling strawberry ginger lemonade is perfect for:
- Iftar dinners
- Guest dinners
- Summer parties
- Brunch tables
- Family gatherings
- Weekend meals
- Picnic drinks
- BBQ nights
- Eid tables
It works beautifully with savory snacks, chaat, pizza, samosas, spring rolls, and baked appetizers.
What to Serve with Strawberry Ginger Lemonade
This drink pairs well with:
- Spring rolls
- Samosas
- Dahi bhalla
- Chana chaat
- Fruit chaat
- Mini pizzas
- Puff pastry snacks
- Sandwiches
- Grilled chicken
- Pasta dishes
It is especially nice with spicy food because the strawberry and lemon flavors feel cooling and refreshing.
Storage Instructions
Store leftover strawberry syrup in an airtight jar or bottle in the fridge for up to 4 to 5 days.
Once the drink is mixed with sparkling water, it is best served immediately. If stored for too long, it will lose its fizz.
If you have leftover mixed drink, keep it in the fridge and drink it the same day.
Variations You Can Try
Strawberry Mint Lemonade
Add fresh mint leaves to the jug for a cooling flavor.
Strawberry Orange Sparkling Drink
Replace some lemon juice with orange juice for a sweeter citrus taste.
Extra Ginger Strawberry Drink
Add more ginger shot if you like a stronger ginger flavor.
Non-Sparkling Version
Use chilled plain water instead of sparkling water.
Sweeter Party Version
Add a little more elderflower syrup or strawberry syrup for a sweeter drink.
FAQs
Can I make this drink without elderflower syrup?
Yes, you can skip it. The drink will still taste delicious with strawberry syrup, lemon juice, ginger shot, and sparkling water.
Can I use frozen strawberries?
Yes, frozen strawberries can be used. Let them thaw slightly before blending, then cook them the same way.
Can I make this drink without ginger shot?
Yes, you can skip the ginger shot if you want a simple strawberry lemonade. You can also add a small piece of fresh ginger while cooking the syrup for a lighter ginger flavor.
Can I use still water instead of sparkling water?
Yes, chilled still water works too. Sparkling water just makes the drink fizzy and more refreshing.
How do I make it sweeter?
Add more strawberry syrup or elderflower syrup.
How do I make it more tangy?
Add more lemon juice according to your taste.
Sparkling Strawberry Ginger Lemonade
This Sparkling Strawberry Ginger Lemonade is a refreshing homemade drink made with fresh strawberry syrup, lemon juice, elderflower syrup, ginger shot, and cold sparkling water. It is fruity, slightly tangy, lightly sweet, and has a beautiful ginger kick at the end.
I made this drink for serving in a jug, which makes it perfect for guests, iftar dinners, summer gatherings, brunch tables, or family meals. The homemade strawberry syrup gives the drink a rich berry flavor, while the lemon juice keeps it fresh and bright. The elderflower syrup adds a soft floral sweetness, and the ginger shot gives it a warm, refreshing twist.
It looks beautiful in a glass, tastes light and fresh, and feels a little special without being difficult to make.
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 3
Ingredients
For the Strawberry Syrup
- 2 cups strawberries
- ½ to ¾ cup sugar (adjust to taste)
- Pinch of salt
- 1 to 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- For One Serving Jug
- 30 % strawberry syrup
- 3 tablespoons lemon juice (adjust to taste)
- 1 tablespoon elderflower syrup
- 2 tablespoons ginger shot
- Cold sparkling water (enough to fill the jug)
- Ice cubes (optional)
- Fresh strawberries (optional)
- Lemon slices (optional)
- Mint leaves (optional)
Instructions
Step 1: Blend the Strawberries
- Wash the strawberries and remove the green tops.
- Add the strawberries to a blender and blend until smooth.
Step 2: Cook the Syrup
- Pour the blended strawberries into a pan.
- Add sugar, a pinch of salt, and lemon juice. Mix well.
- Cook on low heat until the mixture becomes slightly thick and syrupy. Stir often so it does not stick to the pan.
Step 3: Strain and Cool
- Once the strawberry syrup thickens, pass it through a strainer to remove seeds and extra pulp.
- Let the syrup cool completely before using it in the drink.
- You can make this syrup ahead of time and keep it in the fridge.
Step 1: Add Strawberry Syrup
- Take a serving jug and fill about 30% of it with the prepared strawberry syrup.
- This gives the drink a strong strawberry flavor and a beautiful color.
Step 2: Add Lemon Juice
- Add 3 tablespoons of lemon juice.
- You can adjust the lemon juice according to your taste. Add more if you like it tangier, or less if you want it sweeter.
Step 3: Add Elderflower Syrup and Ginger Shot
- Add 1 tablespoon of elderflower syrup.
- Then add 2 tablespoons of ginger shot.
- The elderflower syrup gives a soft floral sweetness, while the ginger shot adds a refreshing spicy kick.
Step 4: Add Sparkling Water
- Fill the rest of the jug with cold sparkling water.
- Mix gently so the drink stays fizzy.
- Taste and adjust. You can add more strawberry syrup for sweetness, more lemon juice for tanginess, or more sparkling water if you want it lighter.
Step 5: Serve Cold
- Add ice cubes if you like.
- Serve immediately in glasses. You can garnish with fresh strawberries, lemon slices, or mint leaves.
Tips for the Best Strawberry Ginger Lemonade
- Let the strawberry syrup cool completely before adding sparkling water.
- Always add sparkling water right before serving so the drink stays fizzy.
- Do not stir too hard after adding sparkling water, or the bubbles will reduce.
- Adjust everything according to taste. Some people like it sweeter, while others prefer more lemon and ginger.
- Use cold sparkling water for the best refreshing taste.
Notes
Store leftover strawberry syrup in an airtight jar or bottle in the fridge for up to 4 to 5 days.
Once the drink is mixed with sparkling water, it is best served immediately. If stored for too long, it will lose its fizz.
If you have leftover mixed drink, keep it in the fridge and drink it the same day.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Drinks