This strawberry lemonade dry mix starts with the homemade lemonade base and adds one ingredient — freeze-dried strawberry powder. The result is a bright, fruity lemonade with real strawberry flavor that you can stir into a glass of cold water in about thirty seconds.
No artificial flavors, no food dye, no syrup to refrigerate. Just a jar in your pantry that makes fresh strawberry lemonade whenever you want it.
What is freeze-dried strawberry powder?
Freeze-dried strawberry powder is made from whole strawberries that have been freeze-dried and ground into a fine powder. It has an intensely concentrated strawberry flavor — more tart and fruity than fresh strawberries because all the water has been removed. A little goes a long way.
It is linked in the recipe for ease of shopping and available on Amazon, at Walmart, and at Sam’s Club. It is also sold at most stores that carry freeze-dried fruit. Look for a powder with no added sugar or fillers — just strawberries. The color will be a deep pink-red and it smells exactly like fresh strawberries.
How it works
One batch of the lemonade base mix plus half a cup of freeze-dried strawberry powder whisked together gives you a strawberry lemonade mix that uses the same two tablespoons per glass ratio as the base. The strawberry powder dissolves completely in cold water and tints the lemonade a natural pink color without any dye.
The flavor is tart, bright, and genuinely fruity. If you want a sweeter version, reduce the lemon juice powder in the base by two tablespoons when you first make it.
Ways to use it
- Single glass — 2 tablespoons stirred into 8 oz cold water over ice
- Full pitcher — 1 cup stirred into 2 quarts cold water, refrigerate until chilled
- Sparkling strawberry lemonade — use chilled sparkling water, pour slowly and stir gently
- Strawberry lemonade popsicles — mix at double strength, pour into molds, freeze overnight
- Frozen strawberry lemonade — blend 2 tablespoons of mix with 1 cup ice and 1/2 cup water
- Strawberry lemonade vinaigrette — whisk 1 teaspoon of mix with olive oil and white wine vinegar
- Mason jar gift — package with a tag listing the single serve and pitcher ratios
Storage
Store in an airtight container at room temperature away from moisture and heat. A quart mason jar holds one full batch. The mix keeps well for up to one year. The freeze-dried strawberry powder is sensitive to humidity — if the mix clumps, break it up with a spoon and store with a food-safe silica packet inside the lid.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use fresh strawberries instead of freeze-dried powder?
No — fresh strawberries contain too much water and would cause the dry mix to clump and spoil. Freeze-dried powder is what makes this shelf stable. If you want fresh strawberry lemonade, muddle a few fresh strawberries in the bottom of a glass, add the base mix and water, and stir.
Where do I buy freeze-dried strawberry powder?
Amazon, Walmart, and Sam’s Club all carry it. Look for it in the freeze-dried fruit section or the baking aisle. Make sure you are buying powder, not whole freeze-dried strawberry pieces — the powder dissolves cleanly while pieces would leave chunks in your drink.
Why is my mix clumping?
Freeze-dried fruit powders are hygroscopic, meaning they absorb moisture from the air. This is normal. Store your mix in a tightly sealed container and keep it away from the stove or any humid area. A food-safe silica packet inside the jar helps significantly. The clumped mix still tastes fine — just break it up before scooping.
Can I make this into a cocktail mixer?
Yes. Two tablespoons stirred into sparkling water makes a great mixer base for vodka, gin, or tequila. For a strawberry lemonade cocktail, combine 2 tablespoons of mix with 1.5 oz vodka and 8 oz sparkling water over ice.
How much strawberry flavor does it have?
The strawberry flavor is noticeable and genuinely fruity without being artificial or candy-like. Freeze-dried powder has a concentrated, true-fruit flavor. If you want a stronger strawberry taste, increase the powder to 3/4 cup per batch instead of 1/2 cup.
Can I dehydrate my own strawberries and then grind them to a powder?
Yes! You can dehydrate your own strawberries and grind them into a powder. Home-dehydrated strawberries have great flavor, but they are usually less concentrated than freeze-dried strawberry powder, darker in color, and may produce a slightly coarser powder that leaves small bits in the finished drink. For the best results, dehydrate the strawberries until completely dry and brittle before grinding. Because homemade strawberry powder is typically less concentrated, you may need to use 1½ to 2 times more than freeze-dried strawberry powder to achieve the same strawberry flavor.
Can I make this lemonade mix sugar-free or lower in sugar?
Yes. To reduce the sugar, simply decrease the amount of sugar in the mix and adjust to taste when preparing your lemonade. For a sugar-free version, omit the sugar entirely and sweeten individual glasses with your preferred sweetener, such as stevia, monk fruit, or another sugar substitute. Because sweeteners vary in sweetness and formulation, it’s often easiest to add them when serving rather than trying to create a one-size-fits-all sugar-free mix.
More recipes in this series
- Homemade Lemonade Dry Mix
- Strawberry Lemonade Dry Mix
- Raspberry Lemonade Dry Mix
- Peach Lemonade Dry Mix
- Honey Lemonade Dry Mix
- Arnold Palmer Dry Mix
Strawberry Lemonade Dry Mix
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2½ cups granulated sugar
- 1 cup lemon juice powder
- ½ cup freeze-dried strawberry powder
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
Instructions
Make the Mix
- Add the sugar, lemon juice powder, strawberry powder, and salt to a large mixing bowl.
- Whisk until thoroughly combined.
- Transfer to a quart mason jar or airtight container.
- Store in a cool, dry place.
To Make One Glass
- 2 tablespoons Strawberry Lemonade Dry Mix
- 12 ounces cold water
- Ice
- Add the mix to a glass.
- Pour in the water.
- Stir until dissolved.
- Serve over ice.
To Make One Pitcher
- 1 cup Strawberry Lemonade Dry Mix
- 2 quarts cold water
- Add the mix to a large pitcher.
- Pour in the water.
- Stir until completely dissolved.
- Refrigerate until chilled.
Notes
Garnish with fresh strawberries and lemon slices.
For sparkling strawberry lemonade, substitute sparkling water for some or all of the water.
If your strawberry powder contains seeds, sift before mixing for a smoother drink.
Storage Store in an airtight container in a cool, dry place for up to 1 year.
Leave a Reply