Strawberry Rhubarb Lemonade

Strawberry rhubarb pie is so popular that it occurred to me that everyone would love strawberry rhubarb lemonade too – and I was right!  The taste test was a big success with friends and family so I definitely wanted to share this for the holiday weekend.

Strawberry Rhubarb Lemonade | Simply Fresh Dinners

When I cook strawberries it takes me back to my childhood and the annual summer fairs because they taste and smell like cotton candy.  When you add the rhubarb you get that unique sweet-citrusy-sour flavor that seems to have captured the taste buds of so many.   The ice cream/frozen yogurt sauce I made with these ingredients was a big hit with family and friends and it makes a wonderful hostess gift for your summer parties.  Best of all, it takes less than 15 minutes to make!

I used fresh picked berries from Barrie Hill Farms for this refreshing lemonade.  They had their annual Strawberry Festival last weekend so these little gems went straight from the field into my kitchen.   So much fun and SO many people!  They had entertainment, clowns, face painting and wagon rides to the fields to pick your own.

Barrie Hill Farms / Simply Fresh Dinners

Barrie Hill Farms / Simply Fresh Dinners

This happy family is going to enjoy all of their strawberries.  I bet they’re making jam too!  Canadians tend to create stampedes to their local farms when we finally get to the warmer months because we’re starved for fresh produce!

Barrie Hill Farms / Simply Fresh Dinners

This is super easy to make and I’ve made substitutions with agave sugar and raw honey to eliminate refined sugar.  You can use it if your prefer.  I understand that most people think lemonade just isn’t lemonade without sugar but I wanted to keep it on the healthier side.

The recipe requires a 3-4 lemons and to be sure to get the most juice out of your lemons, roll them back and forth on the counter using your palm with pressure until they are soft.  Then you can juice them.  The rhubarb and raw honey is from Nicholyn Farms – what a difference all of this fresh produce makes!  It’s so fun to visit these beautiful farms each week and be inspired to make new dishes.  I wish I had chosen to be a farmer in life!

Strawberry Rhubarb Lemonade | Simply Fresh Dinners

This weekend is cause for a double celebration because July 1st is Canada Day and July 4th is Independence Day.  I’ll be toasting to all my American family and friends and wishing you the best of times.   Hashtag me with your celebratory pic at #simplyfreshdinners on Instagram and I’ll share your fun.  Cheers!

Strawberry Rhubarb Lemonade
Recipe Type: Drink
Author: Robyn Gleason (slightly adapted from Cooking Light)
Prep time:
Cook time:
Total time:
Serves: 4
When I cook strawberries it takes me back to my childhood and the annual summer fairs because they taste and smell like cotton candy. When you add the rhubarb you get that unique sweet-citrusy-sour flavor that seems to have captured the taste buds of so many.
Ingredients
    • 1/2 cup fresh lemon juice (you’ll need 3 lemons)
    • 4 cups water
    • 2 cups rhubarb diced (frozen is fine if fresh is unavailable)
    • 1 cup strawberries, quartered
    • 2 tablespoons agave syrup
    • 2 tablespoons raw honey (you’ll want to taste this as you cook it and add more if desired)
    • Ice
    • 1/2 cup strawberries, sliced thinly
    • handful of fresh mint
  • Instructions
    1. Squeeze fresh lemons and place juice into large pitcher.
    1. Place water, rhubarb, strawberries, agave and honey into medium sized saucepan. Bring to a boil; reduce heat, and simmer on medium for 10 minutes. Remove and let cool. If you want to speed up the process, place in a stainless steel bowl and put in freezer for 30 minutes.
  1. Remove and place mixture in a fine sieve over a bowl pressing to squeeze all liquid from it. Discard solids and add liquids to pitcher with ice and sliced berries. Serve with a fresh mint garnish.

Screenshot 2016-06-28 18.57.56

All the flavors of Strawberry Rhubarb Pie in a Glass! From Simply Fresh Dinners

27 Comments

  • Reply
    Anita Rivera
    June 30, 2016 at 5:27 am

    THIS is the taste of July. July tastes likes sweet red juice running down my chin, hands and arms. Strawberries, watermelon, red popsicles. Well, July is one day away, and I might as well accept it. June was just the beginning, July is full swing. Might as well enjoy it with some GOOD FOOD!

    Enjoy eating summer sun my friend. LOVE!

    • Reply
      Robyn
      June 30, 2016 at 6:59 am

      Sweet Anita! Your comments are always like poetry! Thank you for your loyal visits and supportive words. I love this lemonade as well and it’s colour is fun, isn’t it? I’m sorry I’m so behind in visiting and I am just loving your Instagram photos! Yesterday I had an exciting meeting about some videos and a cookbook and I have no idea how it’s all going to happen. I have to clone myself, lol. Talk soon? Email me with a time and day and I’ll make it happen 🙂

  • Reply
    Anita Rivera
    June 30, 2016 at 5:27 am

    OH! Love your photos!!!!

  • Reply
    sue|theviewfromgreatisland
    June 30, 2016 at 9:34 am

    This is the perfect drink for our 4th of July barbecue, thanks Robyn!
    sue|theviewfromgreatisland recently posted…Blueberry Zucchini Snack Cake with Lemon ButtercreamMy Profile

    • Reply
      Robyn
      June 30, 2016 at 9:48 am

      You could do a ‘berry’ menu, Sue. With this drink and your beautiful blueberry zucchini snack cake, you’re halfway there!
      Robyn recently posted…Strawberry Rhubarb LemonadeMy Profile

  • Reply
    Tricia @ Saving room for dessert
    June 30, 2016 at 11:48 am

    I love the color of this beautiful lemonade – I bet it is so refreshing and with no added sugar! Bonus 🙂 The farm looks like fun and everyone is happy with their goodies. Have a wonderful weekend and thanks!
    Tricia @ Saving room for dessert recently posted…Mini Deep Dish Berry PiesMy Profile

  • Reply
    Jennifer @ Seasons and Suppers
    June 30, 2016 at 11:52 am

    So lovely and I will definitely be trying this long weekend with my bounty of fresh-from-the-field strawberries (and my frozen rhubarb 🙂
    Jennifer @ Seasons and Suppers recently posted…Tarragon and Lemon Roast Chicken and PotatoesMy Profile

  • Reply
    Blair @ The Seasoned Mom
    June 30, 2016 at 12:53 pm

    Wow, not only does this drink sound delicious, but your photos are beautiful!! Have a great weekend and enjoy all of that seasonal produce! 🙂
    Blair @ The Seasoned Mom recently posted…Picnic Sandwiches: 10 Easy, 3-Ingredient Combinations!My Profile

  • Reply
    Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
    June 30, 2016 at 1:26 pm

    This is just straight up summer in a glass! I went strawberry picking once when I was in 1st grade maybe? I need to ago again!
    Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine recently posted…The Greatest Grilled Chicken…EVER!My Profile

    • Reply
      Robyn
      June 30, 2016 at 3:57 pm

      You do need to go, Rebecca! It’s so fun and you’ll never taste berries so sweet!

  • Reply
    cheri
    June 30, 2016 at 4:21 pm

    There is nothing like local fresh fruit and veggies. Love this beautiful tasty drink. Looks so refreshing Robyn.
    cheri recently posted…Green Beans with Summer SavoryMy Profile

  • Reply
    Chris Scheuer
    June 30, 2016 at 5:10 pm

    This is so pretty, fun and refreshing looking Robyn! My mom always made a strawberry-rhubarb sauce. It’s a wonderful flavor combination. I know I’d love you lemonade!
    Chris Scheuer recently posted…Grilled Chicken Nicoise SaladMy Profile

  • Reply
    Mindy
    June 30, 2016 at 6:28 pm

    I have made homemade strawberry lemonade before and it good – can only imagine the addition of rhubarb. Lucky guests you will have!

  • Reply
    Marissa
    June 30, 2016 at 7:08 pm

    I love rhubarb! It’s one of those underused produce items…what a wonderful idea to pucker up strawberry lemonade with it. Yum!
    Marissa recently posted…Mexican Street Corn Salad with Spicy ShrimpMy Profile

    • Reply
      Robyn
      July 3, 2016 at 11:22 am

      I’m a recent rhubarb lover, Marissa, but I’m definitely sold. Happy 4th 🙂

  • Reply
    Sara
    July 1, 2016 at 1:44 am

    What an awesome idea to transform lemonade into something spectacular! I’ve never had rhubarb in a drink before but now it’s time to try it that way.
    Sara recently posted…Peach SalsaMy Profile

    • Reply
      Robyn
      July 3, 2016 at 11:21 am

      I hadn’t had it either, Sara, but I had some rhubarb left over so it was worth a try, lol. So glad I did! Happy 4th 🙂

  • Reply
    Geraldine | Green Valley Kitchen
    July 1, 2016 at 10:27 am

    Love the addition of rhubarb and strawberries, Robyn. I always have lemons on hand since I have a lemon tree in the yard – so will be making this this weekend. Sounds like you had a fun time at the strawberry farm! Have a great weekend!
    Geraldine | Green Valley Kitchen recently posted…Greek SaladMy Profile

    • Reply
      Robyn
      July 3, 2016 at 11:20 am

      Funny how we forget about rhubarb except when it comes to pies, lol. I’m so jealous of your lemon tree, Geraldine! Happy 4th to you and yours )

  • Reply
    Marla
    July 3, 2016 at 2:38 pm

    HI Robyn,
    This strawberry lemonade sound so refreshing and cooling for a hot summertime day. It would be the perfect healthy and tasty drink after being in the sun gardening. I can just imagine how cooling this would taste. I would take this any day over sugary fruit drinks. Thanks for sharing on Real Food Fridays. Pinned & tweeted/.
    Marla recently posted…“Top 5 Secrets About Wellness!”My Profile

  • Reply
    Katherine | Omnivore's Cookbook
    July 5, 2016 at 7:09 am

    So fun and refreshing!
    Katherine | Omnivore’s Cookbook recently posted…Hoisin Roasted AsparagusMy Profile

  • Reply
    Vanessa
    July 5, 2016 at 5:45 pm

    This looks amazing. I never had rhubarb and seem so yummy with the strawberries. Thank you for linking up at Dishing it and Digging it link party. We love having you.

  • Reply
    Marla
    July 7, 2016 at 10:12 am

    HI Robyn,
    Just a note to let you know that I have chosen your post as one of my features for this weeks Real Food Fridays blog hop that goes live every Thursday @ 7pm EST. Thank you for being part of Real Food Fridays and sharing your valuable information with us and helping spread the work of health.
    Marla recently posted…“Roads Towards Reduced Energy Consumption in the Office!”My Profile

    • Reply
      Robyn
      July 7, 2016 at 1:58 pm

      You are so generous to me, Marla. Thank you! It’s always a pleasure to link up with like-minded bloggers 🙂

  • Reply
    edye
    July 10, 2016 at 12:18 pm

    I’ve never tried rhubarb before, but this sounds yummy! Perfect for summertime :]

    Blessings,
    Edye | http://gracefulcoffee.wordpress.com
    edye recently posted…Ways To Help The PlanetMy Profile

    • Reply
      Robyn
      July 10, 2016 at 5:56 pm

      Hi Edye,
      I hadn’t tried rhubarb till a couple years ago and I’m not sure why I waited so long but it sure is delicous! Thanks for popping by 🙂

  • Reply
    Jim
    July 12, 2016 at 10:12 pm

    This looks amazing. Definitely going to have to make up a batch this weekend. Great summer drink.

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