Homemade Lemonade is cool and refreshing, with just the right amount of sweetness along with a burst of citrus! Made with fresh-squeezed lemon juice and simple syrup, this simple drink recipe is perfect for serving at parties, cookouts, during the holidays, or anytime you want a glass of something cool and delicious.
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I’m going to jump right to the point. You need to have this recipe on your “all-time best” things to make list. It’s lemonade.
Perfect lemonade. It’s homemade, easy, and it is one of those things that everyone needs to know how to make.
That might have been a bit sassy, but sometimes we all have to be reminded about the most simple, wonderful things in life. This Homemade Lemonade is one of them.
Why You’ll Love This Easy Lemonade Recipe
- This simple lemonade recipe is easy to make because of the short ingredient list.
- The use of fresh lemons is what really makes this recipe stand out, giving you that nice and refreshing taste that every lemonade should have.
- Balances the best parts of sweetness and a nice tart bite.
- Cools you off perfectly on a hot summer day
Now you know why I’m so passionate about this drink. With just a couple of ingredients, you can make the best homemade lemonade recipe in no time!
Here’s What You Need To Make This Recipe
- Lemons – for freshly-squeezed lemon juice.
- Sugar
- Water
- Ice Cubes
- Fresh Mint – for garnish
Variations
- Add strawberries, raspberries, or blueberries for an extra fruity flavor.
- For sugar-free lemonade, use stevia or another sweetener of your choice.
- Add vodka for an adult version of lemonade.
How To Make The Best Homemade Lemonade
- Add sugar and water to a small saucepan and bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer. Once the granulated sugar is dissolved, remove the syrup from the heat and let cool.
- Add lemon juice and simple sugar to a chilled pitcher along with 2 cups of cold water. Stir and taste. Adjust the taste with more lemon juice if needed.
- To serve, fill a glass with ice and pour in lemonade. Garnish with additional lemon slices and mint if desired.
Commonly Asked Questions
A common ratio is 1 part lemon juice to 4 parts water. However, you can adjust this ratio based on your taste preferences. Some people prefer a more concentrated lemon flavor and may use a higher lemon-to-water ratio.
You can substitute honey, agave syrup, or other liquid sweeteners for sugar in your lemonade. Remember that these sweeteners have different levels of sweetness, so you may need to adjust the amount to achieve your desired taste.
To pull everything together, I like to chill a pitcher in the fridge or freezer while the simple syrup cools. Then, pour in the fresh lemon juice, simple syrup, and about 2 cups of water then give it a stir. I load up my cups with ice and pour in that glorious fresh lemonade. Cheers!
More Lemony Recipes To Try
- Lemon Poppy Seed Cake
- Lemon Shandy
- Crock Pot Lemon Chicken
- Lemon Crème brûlée
- Bourbon Basil Lemonade
Ingredients
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 cup water
- 1 ½ cups fresh-squeezed lemon juice (about 6-8 lemons)
- 2 cups cold water
Instructions
- Add sugar and water to a saucepan and bring to a boil then reduce to a simmer. Once the sugar is dissolved, remove the syrup from the heat and let cool.
- Add lemon juice and simple sugar to a chilled pitcher along with 2 cups of cold water. Stir and taste. Adjust taste with more lemon juice if needed.
- To serve, fill a glass with ice and pour in lemonade. Garnish with additional lemon slices and mint if desired.
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Donya's Top Ten Summer Recipes!
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Lovè, love, love! My go to, and it is a hit withne ervyone! Thank you so 💓 💗 💛 so much for sharing.
Thanks for your kind comment and the terrific rating!
~Donya