Roasted Strawberry Lemonade is a delightful twist on the classic lemonade. This refreshing beverage combines the tangy taste of lemonade with the sweet, caramelized flavor of roasted strawberries, creating a unique and invigorating drink perfect for any occasion. Let’s dive into the simple yet sophisticated recipe that will elevate your lemonade game.
Ingredients and Amounts
To create this delicious Roasted Strawberry Lemonade, you will need the following ingredients:
- Fresh Strawberries: 1 pound, hulled and halved
- Granulated Sugar: 1/4 cup, for roasting the strawberries
- Lemon Juice: 1 cup, freshly squeezed
- Water: 4 cups, divided
- Honey: 1/2 cup, or more to taste
- Ice Cubes: As needed, for serving
Steps to Prepare Roasted Strawberry Lemonade
Step 1: Roasting the Strawberries
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Spread the hulled and halved strawberries on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Sprinkle the granulated sugar evenly over the strawberries.
- Roast in the preheated oven for about 20-25 minutes, or until the strawberries are soft and slightly caramelized.
- Remove from the oven and let the strawberries cool.
Step 2: Preparing the Lemonade
- While the strawberries are cooling, combine the freshly squeezed lemon juice, honey, and 2 cups of water in a large pitcher.
- Stir well until the honey is fully dissolved.
Step 3: Combining Strawberries and Lemonade
- Once the roasted strawberries have cooled, transfer them to a blender along with any juices from the baking sheet.
- Add 1 cup of water to the blender and blend until smooth.
- Strain the strawberry puree through a fine-mesh sieve into the pitcher with the lemonade mixture, pressing down on the solids to extract as much juice as possible.
- Add the remaining 1 cup of water to the pitcher and stir to combine.
- Taste and adjust the sweetness with more honey if needed.
- Serve the roasted strawberry lemonade over ice cubes.
Nutritional Value
Roasted Strawberry Lemonade is not only refreshing but also offers several health benefits. Strawberries are rich in vitamins, particularly vitamin C, and antioxidants. Lemon juice is an excellent source of vitamin C and has detoxifying properties. Here is the approximate nutritional information for one serving (based on 8 servings):
- Calories: 70
- Total Fat: 0g
- Sodium: 5mg
- Total Carbohydrates: 18g
- Dietary Fiber: 1g
- Sugars: 16g
- Protein: 0g