Best Strawberry Lemonade Ever

Gather the ingredients.

Toss strawberries with ¼ cup sugar in a medium bowl until evenly coated; set aside until juices release from strawberries, 5 to 10 minutes.

Meanwhile, bring 1 cup water to a boil in a small saucepan; add remaining ¾ cup sugar. Cook and stir until sugar is dissolved, about 5 minutes. Cool simple syrup to room temperature, about 15 minutes.

Combine remaining 6 cups water, ice, lemon juice, and simple syrup in a pitcher; stir in sweetened strawberries with juices.