Have all ingredients at room temperature. Preheat oven to 325°F with a rack in the center. 

Spread the butter all over the bottom and sides of a 9-inch springform pan.

Crush the graham crackers into crumbs. You can do this in a sealed plastic bag with a rolling pin or in a food processor. Pour the graham cracker crumbs into the greased pan and tap to distribute them around the bottom and sides, forming a thin crust. Tap out any excess.

In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened cream cheese for 30 to 60 seconds, just until smooth. Scrape down the sides of the bowl.

Pour in the sugar little by little and beat until smooth and creamy, a minute or two.

Add the eggs one at a time, beating until just incorporated and scraping down the sides of the bowl as necessary.

Add the heavy cream, sour cream, lemon zest, lemon juice, and vanilla. Beat briefly, just until combined.

Pour creamy filling into crust.

Wrap the outside of the pan tightly with foil. Place the pan into a roasting pan or large baking dish. Position the pan on the center oven rack and then carefully pour boiling water into the outer roasting pan to reach halfway up the sides of the cheesecake pan.

Bake for 55 to 60 minutes, until the outsides of the cake are set and the center still jiggles when you move the pan.

Turn off the oven and leave the door ajar (you can use a utensil to prop it open). Let the cake rest in the oven for an hour.

Remove cake from oven and from water bath. Remove foil. Let cake cool completely in pan.

Cover cake and refrigerate overnight to chill through completely.

Carefully remove outer ring from cake. Serve as-is, or top with halved fresh strawberries and strawberry sauce.