This refreshing homemade lemonade recipe takes just 10 minutes to bring sunshine to your glass. Perfect for hot summer days or anytime you need a zesty pick-me-up, this classic drink balances sweet and tart flavors beautifully.
With only 232 calories per serving and packed with vitamin C, it’s a delightful alternative to store-bought versions. The best part? You’ll have this thirst-quenching beverage ready faster than a trip to the grocery store.
Ingredients for Fresh Homemade Lemonade
- Granulated Sugar: 2 cups, essential for creating the sweet syrup base
- Fresh Lemons: 6-8 medium lemons to yield 1½ cups juice – fresh is best!
- Water: 4½ – 5 cups, divided (2 cups for syrup, rest for diluting)
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Make Simple Syrup: Combine sugar with 2 cups water in a saucepan. Heat until boiling, stirring to dissolve sugar completely.
- Cooling Phase: Remove syrup from heat and let it cool to room temperature naturally.
- Juice Preparation: Strain fresh lemon juice through a fine-mesh sieve into a 2-quart pitcher to remove pulp and seeds.
- Initial Mix: Add cooled simple syrup to strained lemon juice and stir until well combined.
- Chilling Time: Refrigerate mixture until thoroughly cold for the most refreshing results.
- Final Touches: When ready to serve, add 2½ cups cold water and stir. Adjust sweetness by adding more water if needed.
- Serving: Pour over ice cubes for the perfect summer refreshment!
Storage Tips
Keep your fresh lemonade in a sealed pitcher or container in the fridge for up to 5 days. The flavor actually gets better after a day as the ingredients blend together! If you notice any separation, just give it a quick stir before serving.
Want to make it last even longer? Pour the lemonade into ice cube trays and freeze – these cubes are perfect for adding to water or other drinks later.
Variations
Love classic lemonade but want to mix things up? Try these simple twists:
- Add fresh mint leaves or basil for an herbal touch
- Mix in fresh berries like strawberries or raspberries
- Use honey instead of sugar syrup for a different sweetness
- Add a splash of sparkling water for fizzy lemonade
- Drop in some cucumber slices for a spa-worthy drink
Serving Suggestions
Make your lemonade extra special with these serving ideas:
- Fill glasses with fresh lemon slices and mint sprigs
- Rim glasses with sugar for a sweet touch
- Use frozen fruit instead of ice cubes to keep drinks cold without diluting
- Serve in mason jars for a casual summer party
- Pour into a pretty punch bowl with floating citrus slices for gatherings
Quick Tips
Roll your lemons on the counter while pressing down before juicing – this helps get more juice out of each lemon. For the clearest lemonade, strain the juice twice. If your lemonade turns out too sweet, add more water bit by bit.
Too tart? Mix in extra simple syrup until it’s just right. Remember that lemonade over ice will become diluted, so make it slightly stronger than you’d like.
Homemade Lemonade
Equipment
- Saucepan
- Fine mesh sieve
- 2-quart pitcher
Ingredients
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 1 1/2 cups fresh lemon juice about 6-8 lemons
- 4 1/2-5 cups water divided
Instructions
- Combine sugar and 2 cups water in a saucepan over medium heat. Bring to a boil and stir until sugar has dissolved.
- Remove from heat and cool to room temperature.
- Strain the lemon juice through a fine-mesh sieve into a 2-quart pitcher.
- Add simple syrup and stir to combine. Refrigerate until cold.
- When ready to serve, add 2 ½ cups of cold water and stir. Taste, and add more water if it’s too sweet.
- Serve over ice, if desired.
