Strawberry Mango Lemonade: Quick Summer Drink
Summer in Asheville feels like a mango sunrise—and nothing says refreshment like a tall glass of Strawberry Mango Lemonade. This drink has quickly become my go-to for barbecues, front porch chats, and Sunday afternoon picnics.
With five simple ingredients and no artificial fuss, this lemonade blends the tang of fresh lemons, sweetness from juicy mangoes, and the sparkle of soda water for a cheerful, colorful drink. Whether you’re serving it to kids or sipping solo, this non-alcoholic summer cocktail hits the spot. Let’s dive into the story behind it and how you can make your own pitcher in just ten minutes.
Fresh Strawberry Mango Lemonade
Why This Strawberry Mango Lemonade Means Summer to Me
I first started making strawberry mango lemonade on a sticky July afternoon when my son came inside red-faced from the yard, begging for “something cold with bubbles.” I opened the fridge, grabbed the last mango, a few leftover strawberries, and two lemons. A splash of sparkling water later, and we had something so fresh, so vibrant, we both sat in stunned silence for the first few sips.
The recipe was born right there—nothing fancy, just what I had on hand. It reminded me of summers at my grandmother’s house. We didn’t have mangoes, but there was always a pitcher of homemade lemonade on the counter, sweat beading on the glass and sunshine pouring in the window. She’d swirl in berries from the garden and call it “fancy lemonade,” making us feel like royalty. That memory sparked the twist that made this version uniquely mine.
Since then, I’ve made strawberry mango lemonade a dozen different ways. I’ve poured it into popsicle molds, added fresh herbs from the porch, and even used it as the base for fruit punch at a neighbor’s baby shower. It’s endlessly flexible and always hits the mark.
One thing I’ve learned: the simpler the ingredients, the brighter the flavor. And if you’re looking for other naturally sweet drinks like this, you’ll love the fruity freshness in my Costa Rican tea or the surprising sparkle from the ice water hack.
This lemonade is more than a drink. It’s a reminder that the best things often come from using what’s in front of you—with a little heart and a lot of love. Let’s get into the simple ingredients and steps you’ll need to whip it up yourself.
How to Make Strawberry Mango Lemonade
Ingredients You’ll Need for Strawberry Mango Lemonade
This strawberry mango lemonade uses just five ingredients—but each one plays a role in building layers of refreshing, tangy-sweet flavor. Start with fresh, ripe strawberries. They should be firm, red all the way through, and smell like sunshine. You’ll also need juicy lemons, preferably ones that feel heavy for their size. That’s how you know they’re loaded with juice.
Next is mango juice. I recommend a high-quality mango nectar or pure juice—skip anything with extra sugar or artificial flavors. Then comes agave syrup. You can swap it for honey or simple syrup, but agave keeps things light and smooth. Last, a good splash of sparkling water brings the bubbles that make this drink sparkle on your tongue.
Here’s a quick breakdown:
| Ingredient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Mango Juice | ½ cup |
| Sparkling Water | 2 cups |
| Agave Syrup | 3 tablespoons |
| Fresh Strawberries | 6 |
| Fresh Lemons | 2 |
For more fruit-forward ideas, try the tropical twist in this blueberry vanilla swirl ice cream or sweet bites like velvety caramel flan muffins.
Step-by-Step Instructions for the Perfect Sip
Making strawberry mango lemonade is about as easy as it gets. Start by rolling the lemons on the countertop with your palm. This helps release more juice. Slice them in half and squeeze. You should get about ¼ cup of juice from each lemon.
Pour the lemon juice into a pitcher, followed by mango juice, sparkling water, and agave syrup. Stir well to combine, then chill in the fridge for at least 30 minutes.
While it cools, wash your strawberries and slice them into thin horizontal rounds. Fill two glasses with ice, add the berries, and pour the cold lemonade mixture over the top. Stir gently to blend flavors and enjoy!
You can even take it to-go with a pink salt trick for hydration or freeze leftovers with the freezing green beans method for summer popsicles.
Creative Variations & Serving Ideas
Turning It Into Mocktails, Punches, and Popsicles
One of the things I love most about strawberry mango lemonade is how flexible it is. Want to serve it to a crowd at your next cookout? Double or triple the recipe and pour it into a punch bowl. Add slices of citrus, strawberries, and frozen mango chunks for a show-stopping look.
If you’re planning a kid-friendly drink bar, let little hands “build their own” by setting out fresh mint, basil, or even cucumber slices as stir-ins. My son likes to drop in blueberries just to watch them float.
You can also freeze the lemonade into molds for fruit popsicles. Just pour the blended mix into silicone molds, drop in strawberry slices, and freeze overnight. They’re perfect for backyard sprinkler days or packed lunches. Want to get extra fancy? Serve your lemonade in chilled mason jars with mango wedges on the rim—simple touches that feel special.
For those interested in naturally flavored drinks with extra flair, you might enjoy trying my Costa Rican tea or even experimenting with other fruit combos like in my blueberry vanilla swirl ice cream.
How to Use Strawberry Tops and Make It Sustainable
A question I get asked often is: “Can you make lemonade with strawberry tops?” The answer is—absolutely yes. Don’t toss them! Strawberry tops still hold a ton of subtle berry flavor, and they’re perfect for infusing water or lemonade.
Just steep the tops in hot water for 5–10 minutes, strain, then let it cool. Mix this strawberry “tea” into your regular lemonade to stretch your ingredients and reduce waste. It’s a smart, eco-friendly move—and a delicious one, too.
For more sustainable kitchen habits, explore ideas like the natural zepbound method or browse hacks like the ice water trick to keep your drinks crisp longer.
Tips, Storage & FAQs
Tips for Best Flavor and Make-Ahead Prep
To get the freshest flavor from your strawberry mango lemonade, always use ripe fruit and chill all your ingredients ahead of time. When you’re in a rush, a quick shortcut is to pop sliced strawberries in the freezer for 20 minutes before adding them to the glass. They’ll cool your drink and act like flavor-packed ice cubes.
If you’re prepping in advance for a party, make the lemonade base up to a day ahead. Just hold off on adding the sparkling water until the last minute to keep the bubbles bright. For a fun twist, try using citrus soda in place of sparkling water.
Planning to serve this in warm weather? Freeze some mango juice into ice cubes and use them in each glass so your drink stays cold without getting watered down.
Need more kitchen shortcuts? Try my pink salt trick or check out the freezing green beans method to simplify prep days.
FAQ Answers: Non-Alcoholic Strawberry, Mango Mocktails, Strawberry Tops
How do you make a non-alcoholic strawberry drink?
Mash fresh strawberries, add lemon juice, a natural sweetener like agave, and top with sparkling water or citrus soda. You can also blend it all for a smoother drink—just like this strawberry mango lemonade, but without the mango.
How do you make mango-based mocktails?
Use mango juice or purée as your base. Add fresh citrus (like lime or lemon), a splash of soda water, and optional herbs like mint. This lemonade works perfectly as a mango mocktail, especially when served with basil or muddled mint.
How to make lemonade with strawberry tops?
Soak clean strawberry tops in hot water for 5–10 minutes. Let cool, then strain and add to your lemonade base. This method reduces food waste and adds a subtle berry flavor. I use it often in this recipe variation.
Can I mix strawberry and mango together in a drink?
Absolutely. The sweet mango balances the tartness of strawberries beautifully. This strawberry mango lemonade is proof they’re a match made in summer drink heaven.
For more refreshing ideas and flavor combos, try drinks like my Costa Rican tea or sweet twists like velvety caramel flan muffins for pairing.
Conclusion
Strawberry mango lemonade brings sunshine into your glass. It’s bright, simple, and endlessly customizable—exactly the kind of drink that reminds you to slow down and savor. Whether you’re making it for yourself, your kids, or a gathering of friends, you’ll be glad you did. Add your twist, pour a glass, and let summer speak for itself.
If you’re looking for even more drink inspiration, you can find beautiful variations and seasonal twists on Love and Lemons — one of my favorite sources for fresh, produce-forward ideas.
Please let me know how it turned out for you! Leave a comment below and tag @foodiecreator on Instagram and hashtag it #foodiecreator.
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Strawberry Mango Lemonade: Quick Summer Drink
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 2 1x
- Diet: Vegan
Description
This sparkling strawberry mango lemonade is the perfect non-alcoholic cocktail for celebrating summer! It captures the easy-going spirit of the season with its five simple ingredients and mix of fresh flavors.
Ingredients
1/2 cup mango juice
2 cup sparkling water
3 tablespoon agave syrup
6 strawberries, fresh
2 lemons, fresh
Instructions
1. Squeeze the juice from two fresh lemons, rolling them with your hand across the counter first to release as much juice as possible.
2. Add mango juice, sparkling water, agave syrup, and lemon juice to a pitcher. Mix well.
3. Refrigerate until well-chilled.
4. Wash strawberries, dry with a towel, and slice into rings horizontally.
5. Fill each glass with ice cubes and add the sliced strawberries.
6. Top up the glass with the lemonade mixture.
7. Give it a gentle stir.
Notes
Select strawberries that are ripe but still firm.
Store up to 3 days in the refrigerator.
Nutritional info is based on estimates using online calculators.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Drinks
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 glass
- Calories: 145
- Sugar: 31g
- Sodium: 54mg
- Fat: 1g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Carbohydrates: 36g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
