Once you make a pitcher of your very own homemade lemonade recipe, you won’t want to go back to buying it from the store. Nothing is more delicious than a chilled sip of luscious lemonade with its sweet and sour goodness.
Skip store-bought options and save money by making this affordable drink with pantry staples. Make it ahead of time and store it in the fridge—it tastes even better chilled and allows for stress-free hosting.
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Why You’ll Love this Recipe
Need more reasons to whip up this homemade lemonade? Here’s why we have to have a pitcher on the table in the summertime:
- Fresh and natural: Made with freshly squeezed lemons, this recipe delivers a bright, authentic flavor that bottled versions just can’t match.
- Easy to make: With just a handful of simple ingredients, you can whip up this lemonade in minutes—no fancy equipment needed!
- Make it as sweet as you like: We love that we get to decide exactly how sweet our lemonade will be. That’s the beauty of homemade.
Ingredient and Substitution Notes
It doesn’t take much to whip up homemade lemonade:
- Sugar: Just good old white sugar, friends.
- Lemon juice: Freshly squeezed lemon juice is key – don’t use bottled lemon juice. Always strain the juice to remove seeds and pulp for a smoother drink. Use ripe lemons for the tastiest juice that’s easy to extract.
Optional add-ins
- Slices of lemon: These look so pretty – you could also mix lemon and lime slices.
- Ice cubes: Essential for serving chilled lemonade, especially on a hot day. For a pretty garnish, freeze some with lemon zest or mint leaves.
See recipe card for quantities.
Instructions
- Step 1 - Make the syrup using water and sugar
- Step 2 - Juice the lemons
- Step 3 - Combine the syrup and lemon juice
- Step 4 - Chill and serve
Variations of this Homemade Lemonade Recipe
Play around and make a homemade lemonade with a fun twist:
- Lavender: Add 1-2 teaspoons of dried culinary lavender to the sugar and water when making the simple syrup. Strain the lavender before mixing it in.
- Cucumber: Add thin slices of cucumber or blend cucumber with a little water to make a puree, then stir it into the lemonade. We feel like we are at the spa when we drink this version, ha!
- Spicy: Stir in a pinch of cayenne pepper or a few slices of fresh jalapeño.
- Watermelon: Blend fresh watermelon chunks into juice and replace some or all of the water with the watermelon juice. Strain for a smoother texture and garnish with a watermelon slice.
- Berry: Add 1 cup of pureed fresh or frozen berries like strawberries, raspberries, or blueberries to the lemonade for a fruity twist. Strain the puree or leave it as is.
- Herby: Infuse the simple syrup with fresh herbs like mint, basil, or rosemary while it's cooling. Remove the herbs before mixing with the lemon juice.
- Sparkling: Replace the 4 cups of cold water with sparkling water or club soda for a fizzy version of this classic drink. Add it just before serving to keep the carbonation intact.
Top Tips
It’s pretty simple to make but here are our little tips to great results:
- Use chilled ingredients: Cold water and chilled lemons help keep your lemonade icy and refreshing.
- Serve it in a pretty glass: A clear pitcher or mason jar glasses show off the bright yellow color beautifully. For summer parties, rim the glasses with sugar or colored sprinkles.
- Use fresh lemons: Freshly squeezed lemon juice makes a world of difference! Bottled juice can taste dull so we suggest skipping it.
- Adjust sweetness to taste: Start with the recipe's sugar amount and tweak as needed. If you prefer less sugar, reduce the amount or add a sugar alternative like stevia or agave.
- Chill before serving: Let the lemonade chill in the fridge for at least an hour before serving for optimal refreshment. Ice is great, but pre-chilling helps get a consistently cold drink.
Storage Notes
Stored in an airtight container, homemade lemonade stays fresh for up to 3 days in the refrigerator. Stir it well before serving, as the flavors can settle.
Freezing
Pour leftover lemonade into an airtight container, leaving some space for expansion as it freezes.
For convenience, freeze it in ice cube trays. This way, you can chill future drinks without watering them down or use the cubes for slushy-style lemonade.
Store frozen lemonade or cubes for up to 3 months. Label the container with the date to keep track of freshness.
FAQ
Reduce the amount of sugar in the simple syrup or add more water to dilute the sweetness. You can also use natural sweeteners like honey or stevia for a lighter flavor.
Absolutely! Sparkling water adds a fizzy twist to your lemonade, making it feel extra refreshing. Add it just before serving to hold onto the carbonation.
Absolutely. Just multiply the ingredients proportionally to fit your needs. For example, double the ingredients to make a larger batch.
Bitterness may come from over-squeezing the lemons or including too much of the pith (the white part). Stick to juicing the flesh only, and strain the juice well.
Yes! Use a sugar substitute like stevia, monk fruit, or erythritol instead of sugar for a sugar-free version. Adjust the amount to taste.
Related
Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:
Pairing
These are my favorite dishes to serve with homemade lemonade:
Homemade Lemonade Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 cup sugar adjust to taste
- 1 cup water for the syrup
- 1 cup lemon juice about 4-6 lemons, freshly squeezed
- 4 cups cold water to dilute
Optional Add-Ins
- Slices of lemon for garnish
- Ice cubes
Instructions
- Make the simple syrup: In a small saucepan, combine 1 cup of sugar and 1 cup of water. Bring to a boil and stir until the sugar has dissolved completely. Remove from heat and let it cool for about 30 minutes.
- Juice the lemons: While the syrup is cooling, juice the lemons to make 1 cup of lemon juice. Strain the juice to remove seeds and excess pulp for a smoother lemonade.
- Combine and mix: In a large pitcher, combine the cooled syrup, lemon juice, and 4 cups of cold water. Stir well.
- Adjust flavor as needed: Taste your lemonade and adjust the sweetness or tartness by adding more sugar, lemon juice, or water according to your preference.
- Chill and serve: Add ice cubes directly to the pitcher or to individual glasses. Garnish with lemon slices and mint leaves if desired. Serve chilled.
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