Add the water and sugar to saucepan over medium heat and let it heat for 5 minutes then remove the pot from the heat and let it cool completely.
Add the strawberries, lemon juice, vodka (if using...this is completely optional. This strawberry lemonade is a delicious mocktail or cocktail) and cooled syrup to a blender and blend until smooth.
Place a fine mesh strainer over a pitcher and strain the lemonade into the pitcher.
Serve over ice, sliced lemons and strawberries if you like and garnish with fresh mint leaves.
Notes
The vodka is completely optional. We actually make this more as a mocktail than cocktail. It's a versatile and delicious drink recipe for anytime of year, but especially Summer!
Don't add ice to the pitcher, instead pour the strawberry lemonade over ice in glasses. If you add ice directly to the pitcher it will melt and dilute the drink.
Don't be tempted to use bottled lemon juice for this recipe. It won't have the same zing, trust me, it's worth juicing fresh!
Nutritional values are based on one of six drinks without vodka.