This Lemonade combines freshly squeezed lemon juice with water and simple syrup to deliver a perfectly sweet yet tart summertime sip!
Nothing Beats A Cold Glass Of Lemonade!
Don’t get caught without an ice-cold glass of this refreshing Homemade Lemonade as the weather heats up! After all, nothing hits the spot on a hot day like a crisp, citrusy, and sweet drink that’s perfectly chilled!
All you need is three ingredients, ice, and friends and family to share a large pitcher with! And if your crowd grows, you can also mix up Homemade Orangeade and Easy Pineapple Punch to help quench everyone’s thirst!
Ingredients For Homemade Lemonade
- Fresh Lemons
- Simple Syrup
- Cold Water
- Ice
These lemonade ingredients may seem simple, but they create a fresh, crisp flavor that beats store-bought any day! To sweeten the lemonade, I opted for making Homemade Simple Syrup which I like making right at home.
This is done by combining 1 cup of water with 1 cup of sugar in a small saucepan on the stovetop. This mixture will then simmer until the sugar dissolves; this becomes simple syrup once cooled.
A different sweetener can be used in this lemonade recipe, such as honey or maple syrup.
Lemonade Substitutions And Variations
- Simple Syrup – Simple syrup can be replaced by stirring in 1 cup of granulated sugar and adding an additional cup of water.
- Pulp – You can make this homemade lemonade recipe with or without pulp! For no pulp, follow the recipe instructions to strain the juice using a fine mesh sieve. And to enjoy your lemonade with pulp, simply skip straining!
- Roasted Lemons – If you have extra time, try making this Lemonade Recipe with roasted lemons! To do so, wash and slice 5 to 8 lemons in half. Then roast them in the oven in a baking dish for 25 minutes. Afterward, allow them to cool for 10 to 15 minutes, and then squeeze them for their juices!
- Frozen Drink – Blend up a round of frozen lemonades by pouring lemonade into a blender with ice. Blend and add ice or lemonade until a slushy consistency is created!
- Adult Version – Spike this lemonade with bourbon, vodka, or gin for an adult beverage!
How To Make Homemade Lemonade
Step 1: Squeeze the juice out of the lemons and into a liquid measuring cup using a citrus press.
Step 2: Strain the freshly squeezed lemon juice using a fine mesh sieve. Pour the strained lemon juice into a large pitcher along with the simple syrup and cold water.
Step 3: Stir to combine.
Step 4: Serve in glasses with ice and garnish with slices of lemon!
How To Store Fresh Lemonade
Store this lemonade in the fridge in a pitcher, airtight container, or jar with a lid to preserve it. If your pitcher doesn’t have a lid, you can tightly cover it using plastic wrap or aluminum foil.
Once stored, the homemade lemonade can be enjoyed for 5 to 7 days.
Freezing Homemade Lemonade Concentrate
This lemonade recipe can also be frozen as a concentrate for easier drink prep all summer long! To do so, squeeze the lemon juice from the lemons and combine it with the simple syrup.
Afterward, transfer this concentrated mixture into a freezer-safe container or jar. Next, store it in the freezer for 4 to 6 months.
When friends visit, or you’re ready to finish prepping for the party, simply thaw the concentrate out and combine it with the 4 cups of cold water.
Homemade Lemonade FAQs
Since lemonade is a classic summertime drink, it’s great served at BBQs with grilled or smoked food! It’s also a great sipper to enjoy alongside appetizers such as Crescent Roll Veggie Pizza and Ceasar Salad Bites.
Or even serve it up with dinner at home alongside plates of Lemon Chicken Orzo or Crockpot Boneless Country Style Ribs!
Since this fresh lemonade is made from the simple ingredients of lemon, sugar, and water, it’s a healthier option than store-bought, which tends to add extra, unnecessary ingredients.
Freshly squeezed lemons are a powerful antioxidant that’s full of Vitamin C. Lemons also help fight off disease while supporting overall health.
Homemade lemonade is made of freshly squeezed lemon juice, water, and sugar for sweetness.
Yes, lemonade is made of lemon juice.
While lemonade and pink lemonade are both made with lemon juice, they are different. Pink lemonade is made with the addition of dye or a juice for coloring, such as strawberry or cranberry, and tends to have more sugar.
Since lemonade is made with fresh fruit juices, it shouldn’t be kept at room temperature. If left at room temperature, bacteria will grow, causing the lemonade to spoil.
Homemade Lemonade
INGREDIENTS
- 1 cup lemon juice about 6 to 8 lemons
- 1 cup simple syrup
- 4 cups cold water
- ice
- lemon slices for garnish
INSTRUCTIONS
- Wash the lemons, then slice them in half.
- Use a citrus press to squeeze the juice out of the lemons into a liquid measuring cup.
- In a pitcher, combine the 1 cup lemon juice, 1 cup simple syrup, and 4 cups cold water.
- Serve in a highball glass over ice and garnish with lemon slices.
NOTES
- A 1/4 cup of additional lemon juice may be added if you prefer a stronger, more tart lemon flavor.
NUTRITION
This recipe is adapted from my Roasted Homemade Lemonade Recipe on Sugar & Soul.
