McDonald’s Frozen Strawberry Lemonade Recipe – Easy McCafé Copycat

I’ll never forget the first time I tried McDonald’s Frozen Strawberry Lemonade on a blistering 103-degree Texas afternoon. After hours of running errands, I pulled into the drive-thru, desperate for anything cold. That first sip it was tart, sweet, and gloriously icy! It was like an instant cool-down button for my overheated system. I was hooked immediately and found myself making special trips just for this perfect summer refresher.

You can recreate this refreshing beverage in your kitchen with just three simple ingredients and five minutes of your time. Plus, making it yourself means unlimited refills and the freedom to adjust the sweetness or tartness to your preference.

homemade McDonald's frozen strawberry lemonade in glasses with straws.

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Why This Recipe Works

What makes this McDonald’s Frozen Strawberry Lemonade recipe so successful is its simplicity—just three ingredients transform into a restaurant-quality frozen treat. The secret lies in the layering technique: by pouring the blended frozen lemonade over a base of strawberry syrup, you create that signature McDonald’s swirl effect that makes the drink both visually appealing and delicious.

Unlike some copycat recipes that overcomplicate things, this version stays true to the basic elements that make the original so popular. The use of prepared lemonade (whether store-bought or homemade) provides the perfect tart base, while the strawberry ice cream topping delivers that sweet berry flavor without requiring fresh strawberries or extra prep work.

Ingredients

Here’s a list of what you need:

  • Lemonade – Provides the tart, citrusy base flavor that defines this drink
  • Ice – Creates the crucial frozen slushie texture
  • Strawberry Ice Cream Topping – Delivers the sweet strawberry flavor and signature red swirl

You can start with fresh lemonade if desired. McDonald’s does not make fresh lemonade, but you can if you prefer it. I recommend using Country Time lemonade drink mix to make this frozen lemonade.

Ingredients for McDonald's frozen strawberry lemonade.

How to Make McDonalds Frozen Strawberry Lemonade

  1. Place lemonade and ice in a blender.
lemonade and ice in a blender.
  1. Blend until the ice is crushed completely.
lemonade in a blender.
  1. Place strawberry ice cream topping in the bottom of a glass.
strawberry topping syrup in a glass.
  1. Pour the frozen lemonade over the strawberry topping and enjoy a delicious copycat McDonald’s Frozen Strawberry Lemonade for a cool and refreshing drink.
two homemade McDonald's frozen strawberry lemonade drinks and fresh lemons.

Need more drink recipes? Try these cool and refreshing drinks!

Be sure to check out more of my easy summer drink recipes and the best McDonalds copycat recipes here on CopyKat.com!

homemade McDonald's frozen strawberry lemonade in glasses with straws.

McDonald’s Frozen Strawberry Lemonade – McCafé Copycat

Cool off with this 3-ingredient copycat McDonald's Frozen Strawberry Lemonade recipe that tastes just like the McCafé original.
4.89 from 9 votes
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Course: Drinks
Cuisine: American
Keyword: McDonald’s Recipes, Strawberry Lemonade
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Servings: 1
Calories: 268kcal

Ingredients

  • 16 ounces lemonade
  • 2 cups ice cubes
  • 2 tablespoons strawberry ice cream topping

Instructions

  • If using powdered lemonade drink mix, prepare the lemonade according to the package directions.
  • Place 16 ounces of lemonade and 2 cups of ice in a blender.
  • Blend until the ice is crushed completely.
  • Place about two tablespoons of strawberry ice cream topping in the bottom of a glass and pour frozen lemonade over the strawberry topping.

Video

Nutrition

Calories: 268kcal | Carbohydrates: 66g | Protein: 0g | Fat: 0g | Saturated Fat: 0g | Cholesterol: 0mg | Sodium: 37mg | Fiber: 0g | Sugar: 59g | Vitamin C: 6.3mg

About Stephanie Manley

Stephanie Manley is the creator of CopyKat.com. She has been recreating copycat recipes since 1995. Learn more about Stephanie Manley.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Noreen

    4 stars
    If you want a really easy cold strawberry lemonade just throw your lemonade into a blender and add strawberry sorbet to it rather than ice.
    You can also mix it together and freeze in plastic containers to use as the “ice” for a punch.

  2. Zoe

    That’s NOT REAL Lemonade! Shame on you McDonalds serving that crap!!! The ONLY lemonade I’ll drink is the REAL PURE Lemonade I make!!

  3. Elizabeth Mc Gorty

    Hello!

    Thank you for posting this recipe, I’m addicted to these things! I have a couple of questions: what type of strawberry ice cream topping do you use? Perhaps it’s just my crappy blender, but I find that the consistency is not the same as when I buy it from McDonalds. (Mine is more foamy?) Do you have any tips on how to make the drink look more accurate (perhaps a setting on the blender)?

    • Anonymous

      I use a vitamix on high power and on the 10 setting for a couple of seconds. I don’t have a standard blender any more. The strawberry topping I used was Mrs. Richardson, I believe McDonald’s has their especially made for them.

  4. Hilary

    This was really tasty. I used frozen strawberries instead of the strawberry topping,they were chunky, but it tasted good!

4.89 from 9 votes (6 ratings without comment)

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