Tart, sweet, blush-pink perfection. The drink that means summer, childhood, and front porch afternoons all in one glass.
Combine equal parts sugar and water in a saucepan. Heat over medium until sugar fully dissolves, about 2 minutes. Remove from heat and cool completely before using.
Blend fresh strawberries until completely smooth. Strain through a fine sieve to remove seeds and pulp. This is what gives the lemonade its beautiful blush colour.
Roll each lemon on the counter first — this breaks the membranes and gets more juice. Squeeze, strain out seeds, and measure. Fresh-squeezed is mandatory.
Mix lemon juice, strawberry purée, simple syrup, and cold water in a large pitcher. Taste and adjust — more syrup for sweet, more lemon for tart. Refrigerate at least 30 minutes.
Pour over a glass overflowing with ice. Garnish with a lemon wheel, a fresh strawberry on the rim, and a sprig of mint. Serve with a wide straw and no apologies.