Applebee’s Strawberry Lemonade Recipe (Copycat)

Last Updated on November 12, 2025 by Niks

Okay, confession time – I’m a little obsessed with this drink.

Applebee’s strawberry lemonade is one of those things you order “just to try,” and then somehow, it becomes your thing. It’s not fancy – It’s not over-the-top. It’s just… really good. Sweet, tart, bright like summer poured into a glass.

I used to order it every time I went, but one day I thought, “Why am I not making this at home?” So I did. And honestly? It turned out better than I expected.

Why This Applebee’s Strawberry Lemonade Recipe Works

This lemonade tastes like the real deal — simple, refreshing, and made from stuff you probably already have.

You’ll like it because:

• It uses real lemons and real strawberries — no bottled mixes.
• The sugar is adjustable, so it’s never too sweet.
• A splash of sparkling water makes it fun and fizzy.
• It takes, like, ten minutes from start to glass.

If you love those feel-good cafe drinks, this one’s going to be on repeat.

Quick Look of Applebee’s Lemonade Recipe

• Prep: 5 min
• Cook: 5 min
• Total: About 10 min
• Serves: 2–3 glasses
• Method: Mix + Chill

Ingredients:-

• 2 lemons
• ½ cup sugar (add more if you’ve got a sweet tooth)
• 1 cup water
• ¼ cup fresh strawberries (hulled)
• 2 tbsp sparkling water (optional, but I love the fizz)
• Ice

How To Make This Applebee’s Recipe?

Step 1: Add sugar and water to a small pot. Warm it just enough so the sugar melts. Don’t boil it like crazy — just gentle heat. Let it cool down.

Step 2: Smash strawberries a bit with a spoon or fork. Add a teaspoon of sugar, stir, and leave them alone for 10–15 minutes. They’ll start releasing juice, and yes, you’ll want to taste it.

Step 3: Mix it all up in a big pitcher, pour the lemon juice, strawberry syrup (strain it first), and your simple syrup.

Step 4: Pour in a little cold water and a splash of sparkling if you like that café-style fizz.

Step 5: Add ice. A slice of lemon on the rim looks nice, but honestly, it’s perfect as is.

Little Ingredient Talk

Lemon: Adds that bright tang and a hit of vitamin C. (Source: Healthline)

Strawberries: Juicy, colorful, and packed with antioxidants that love your heart. (Source: Medical News Today)

Sparkling water: Keeps it light without adding calories. (Source: Harvard Nutrition Source)

Customize Applebee’s Lemonade Drink As Per Your Taste

• Want it sharper? Add another lemon.
• Want it softer? Throw in a few extra strawberries.
• No sugar? Use honey — it works great.
• Serving friends? Make a pitcher. Chill it and add soda right before serving.
• For kids: skip the fizz and blend with ice — it turns into a strawberry lemonade slush.

More Drinks I Love

These are my go-to’s drinks when I want something cold, fruity, and happy:

• Caribbean Way Smoothie
• Applebee’s White Peach Sangria
• Avocolada Tropical Smoothie
• Acai Berry Boost Smoothie
• Banana Berry Treat Smoothie

Serving Ideas

Pour it in tall glasses. Add ice, a slice of lemon, and a few strawberry halves.

If you want to be extra – add a mint sprig. If not, no worries. It’s meant to be easy.

Pairs great with sandwiches, summer salads, or just sitting on your porch doing absolutely nothing.

From All My Recipe’s Kitchen

When I make this, it’s usually late afternoon. The sun’s in the kitchen window, and I can smell the strawberries as they sit with the sugar. It’s quiet just me, a wooden spoon, and the sound of the fridge humming.

That’s the kind of calm this drink gives me. Simple, bright, no fuss.

It’s a tiny pause in the middle of a busy day, and every sip feels like it’s saying, “Slow down a bit.”

Applebee’s Strawberry Lemonade Recipe (Copycat)

Wondering how to make Applebee's Strawberry Lemonade Recipe - Sugar brings out the natural sweetness of the strawberries while balancing the acidity of the lemon; modify the intensity of the lemonade by adding more or less water to your liking.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Cook Time 5 minutes mins

Total Time 10 minutes mins

Course Drinks

Cuisine American

Servings 2 people

Calories 356 kcal

Ingredients

  

• 2 lemons
• 1/2 cup sugar (about)
• 1 cup of distilled water
• 1/4 cup hulled strawberries (about)
• 2 tbsp sparkling water (optional)

Instructions

 

• Peel off of the lemon and set it in a pot with the rest of the ingredients.
• In a saucepan, combine the 1/4 cup sugar and the water and simmer over medium heat until the sugar dissolves.
• Bring the water to a boil, reduce the heat to a simmer, and cook for one minute.
• After the saucepan has been withdrawn from the heat, let it to cool completely.
• Mix the remaining sugar and strawberries in a large mixing basin; leave aside for 15 minutes so that the flavors may mingle.
• Strain the strawberry syrup from the strawberries and leave the strawberries aside for a snack, garnish, or to be used in another dish later on.
• Pour the strawberry syrup into a jug, and then filter in the lemon syrup into the jug to combine.
• Squeeze the juice from the remaining lemons into a large mixing bowl. Add 12 cup water and the sparkling water and stir to combine well.
• Refrigerate the jug or serve the Applebee's strawberry lemonade with ice cubes if you're serving it at home.

Keyword applebee's strawberry lemonade recipe