Strawberry Lemonade Concentrate for Canning

Want to make a delicious treat for summer? Here’s how to can a simple Strawberry Lemonade Concentrate!

Strawberry Lemonade Concentrate Canning Recipe

Summer is almost here, and we are ready for more exciting and sunny adventures! I don’t know about you, but this season is about quick snacks and cool refreshments in our home.

I’ve shared a lot of tried and true canning recipes – from fruits and vegetables to meats and condiments – so feel free to check those out. Today, I’m sharing a fun and easy 5-step strawberry lemonade concentrate canning recipe to help quench your thirst this summer. 

TIP: New to canning? I’ve got you! Here are my top tips on how to stay sane during canning season.

Ingredients for Strawberry Lemonade Concentrate

• Strawberries. These should be fresh with the tops removed. Also, remove any bad spots while you are washing them.
• Lemon juice. This should also be fresh and not canned.
• Honey. I use local honey in this recipe because we do not can with sugar. If you prefer, you can use cane sugar instead. The original Ball recipe calls for a significantly larger amount of sugar which we found unnecessary unless you want to feel like you are drinking sugar water. You can adjust the sweetness levels to the taste you prefer. I have not tried this recipe using any sugar replacements such as monkfruit, splenda, etc.

Instructions for How to Make Strawberry Lemonade Concentrate for Canning 

Prepare your boiling water canner and the rest of your canning equipment. Make sure that your pint jars are clean and ready to go and that you have lids, rims, and anything else you need nearby.

Begin by washing the strawberries and removing the tops. The tops can be used in Vermicomposting, regular composting, or fed to the chickens as a treat.

Puree strawberries in a blender, working in batches until smooth. I have a Blendtec Classic Blender. Transfer to a large stainless steel saucepan or a small stockpot.

Juice the lemons. I have a juicer attachment for my Nutrimill Artiste, both of which I ordered from Pleasant Hill Grain. It works so well!

Add lemon juice and honey to strawberry puree, stirring to combine. Heat to about 190° F over medium heat, stirring occasionally. Do not boil. Remove from heat and skim off the foam if there is any. (optional)

Ladle hot concentrate into hot pint-size jars, leaving 1/4 inch headspace. Wipe the rims with a clean, damp cloth.

Center lid on jar. Apply the band until the fit is fingertip tight. Do not overtighten the lids! Fingertip tightness is perfect.

Place jar in boiling water canner. Repeat until all jars are filled.

Process jars in a boiling water canner for 15 minutes, adjusting for altitude. (I have to increase 10 minutes.) Remove jars and cool.

Check lids for seal after 24 hours. The lid should not flex up and down when the center is pressed. For more on safe canning, check out my post on Testing Jar Seals.

How to Reconstitute Strawberry Lemonade

Mix one part concentrate with three parts water, tonic water, or ginger ale. Adjust the concentrate to suit your taste. We actually prefer using a little more concentrate to a little more water (1 to 1 ratio). And we like using sparkling water.

Can Strawberry Lemonade Be Water Bath Canned?

Yes. This recipe can be safely water bath canned because it contains high-acid fruits (strawberries and lemons). Pressure canning is not recommended for this recipe.

Do You Have to Cook Strawberries Before Canning?

You don’t need to cook strawberries before canning, you just need to wash them properly. In my recipe above, though, you need to puree them using a blender or food processor.

TIP: To can or not to can, that is the question. Find out what to can!

How Long Does Home-Canned Strawberry Lemonade Last?

Your home-canned strawberry lemonade can last for several years when properly canned and stored in a cool, dry place. Although canned foods have a longer shelf life, try to consume most canned fruits within a year to enjoy their nutrients and freshness. I try and rotate through all home canned goods in three years.

Can Strawberry Lemonade Be Canned Without Sugar?

While you are able to can Strawberry Lemonade without sugar, it will affect the taste. I recommend using honey in place of sugar in canning recipes.

More Strawberry Recipes

• Homemade Strawberry Pop Tarts Recipe
• Soft Sugar Cookies and Strawberry Frosting
• Simple Strawberry Shortcake Recipe
• Homemade Strawberry Cake Recipe
• Homemade Strawberry Jam Recipe

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I recommend a Presto Pressure Canner and the book Putting Food By for all your canning projects!

Have you ever tried canning a drink concentrate? What fruits do you love eating during summertime?

Merissa has been blogging about and living the simple life since 2009 and has internationally published 2 books on the topic. You can read about Merissa’s journey from penniless to the 100-acre farm and ministry on the About Page. You can send her a message any time from the Contact Page.

This Strawberry Lemonade Concentrate recipe was originally posted on Little House Living in June 2023.