This favorite summer cocktail is filled with fresh fruit and a hint of mint for that perfect balance of sweet and tart. The Strawberry Lemonade Cocktail is super-easy to whip up and fantastic to enjoy while sitting outside and enjoying the long days of summer.

Strawberry Lemonade Cocktail Recipe
Yields one pitcher (about 6 servings)

Ingredients
For the simple syrup
1 cup sugar
1 cup water

Make this ahead of time. And, it is great to have extra in the fridge for iced teas and coffees, too. It can be stored for up to one month in a covered jar in the fridge.

Combine the sugar and water in a saucepan over medium heat, stirring occasionally. Bring to a boil, and then reduce the liquid to a simmer until the sugar dissolves completely (about 5 minutes).

Remove the saucepan from the heat and allow the simple syrup to cool (about 30 minutes).

For the Strawberry Lemonade Cocktail
1 pint fresh strawberries
1 tablespoon mint leaves plus more for garnish
1 cup fresh lemon juice
4 cups water
1-1/2 cups vodka
Lemon slices, strawberry slices, and mint springs for garnish

Directions
Prep the fresh ingredients
Remove the stems from the strawberries and the mint leaves. Reserve one handsome strawberry and a few mint leaves for optional garnish.

Purée the strawberries and mint leaves together in a blender.

Mix the cocktail
Combine the 2 cups of simple syrup, strawberry-mint puree, lemon juice, water, and vodka in a 2-1/2-quart pitcher. Stir to combine the ingredients.

To serve
Fill rocks glasses with ice and pour the lemonade over top. Garnish the glasses with a lemon slice, some sliced strawberries, and/or some more fresh mint, if desired.