strawberry infused ice drinks

On a hot summer’s day there is nothing more reviving than fresh homemade lemonade, and because this strawberry lemonade recipe does not contain any sugar it’s the optimal low-glycemic sweet summer drink.

So, how is this refreshing strawberry lemonade sweetened? I use liquid stevia, which I purchase online. I’ve been using stevia for years now and find that it has helped me cut back on my consumption of regular sweeteners, such as honey and maple syrup, which consist of natural sugars but would be “added”. It’s best to get your sugars from natural foods such as fruit, so if you are watching your weight or suffering from inflammation it’s best to cut back on consumption of added sugar.

Using stevia is sometimes tricky because it can add an unusual aftertaste. I find it best to use stevia in recipes that contain other ingredients that have a fairly strong flavor profile, such as lemon, which mask this fairly well.

I find that the best quality stevia with the least aftertaste is sold by NuNaturals. You can buy it here.

On another note, if you let this delightful healthy strawberry lemonade sit at room temperature for about an hour before adding ice you will find that the lemonade will turn pink –that’s all I did for the photo above. Letting it stand for a bit will also increase the lovely strawberry flavor.

I hope you all enjoy this healthy strawberry lemonade as much as we do; my kids love it and I’m happier to serve them a sweet beverage that does not contain sugar! Happy summer!

Sugar-free strawberry lemonade recipe

strawberry lemonade

  • 2 litres water
  • 8 lemons, squeezed (around 280 ml or 1¼ cups lemon juice)
  • 1/2 -3/4 tsp liquid stevia
  • 250g strawberries, sliced (around 2 cups)

In a large pitcher combine water, lemon juice and stevia. Simply stir in sliced strawberries and serve over ice.


About the author

Elana Amsterdam

Wellness expert and gluten-free guru Elana Amsterdam is the New York Times best-selling author of the book Paleo Cooking from Elana’s Pantry, and founder of the blog elanaspantry.com, where she shares simple, healthy recipes and lifestyle advice. Elana has written for Parents, Shape Magazine and Delicious Living, and has been featured in a variety of media outlets including Fortune Magazine, The Washington Post and The Wall Street Journal, and has appeared on CNN, MSNBC, and Fox News Live. Her other books include The Gluten-Free Almond Flour Cookbook (Random House 2009) named one of the "Best Cookbooks of the Year" by The Denver Post, and Gluten Free Cupcakes (Random House 2011), a tome of enticing, yet healthy desserts. Elana has a BA in history from Columbia University. She now lives in Boulder, Colorado with her husband of 18 years and her two teenage sons.

Elana Amsterdam

Tags:

Drinks, Fruit, Healthy