The Best Lemonade
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Lookout kids! Introducing the Best Lemonade Recipe to get you through those long hot summer days! Made with just 6 simple ingredients including a handful of fresh lemons, water, and a bit of sugar, this tasty beverage is the perfect balance of tangy and invigorating that is sure to keep you cool with every sip!
Best Homemade Lemonade Recipe
This sweet, tangy, and refreshing homemade lemonade is the perfect drink to beat the heat! So you can toss out that frozen juice concentrate in your freezer and push those sugary sodas aside! You won’t need them anymore now that you’ve got this quick and easy lemonade recipe that takes just minutes to make with a few fresh ingredients.
To make this thirst quencher all you have to do is squeeze a few lemons, make a simple syrup, stir it all together with some water, and toss in a few ice cubes to finish! Then serve it cold with freshly sliced lemon and a sprig of mint for a touch of herby goodness. Or better yet! You can turn this tart and tasty lemonade into a summer cocktail with a bit of booze!
Pro Tip
Use freshly squeezed lemons for the brightest, most authentic flavor in your homemade lemonade. Nothing beats the real deal!
- Lemons – Be sure to choose fresh juicy lemons for the most intense flavor! Don’t even think about using concentrated lemon juice. It just doesn’t compare and is often overly acidic due to preservatives.
- Sugar – Simple granulated sugar is needed to make a simple syrup, which is used to sweeten the lemonade. Cane sugar is another option.
- Water – You’ll need some good old H2O! It makes the magic happen by blending the lemon juice and sugar together perfectly. You can also make fizzy lemonade with soda water.
- Ice Cubes – I like to serve my lemonade over cubed ice, but crushed ice is another choice.
- Fresh Mint – Used to garnish the drink and give it a touch of sophistication. Another great choice is fresh basil.
Once you’ve got all your ingredients lined up, this drink recipe takes a mere 10 minutes or less to make! So make sure you’ve got plenty of ice and start chilling your glasses before you begin!
To begin, you need to make the simple syrup. First, mix the sugar and 1 cup of water together in a small saucepan. Next, bring it to a simmer over medium heat while stirring until the sugar is completely dissolved. Then remove the simple syrup from the heat and let it cool down.
After the simple syrup has cooled off a bit, add it to a large pitcher along with the fresh lemon juice and 3 cups of cold water. Then stir the mixture together well. Now, give your lemonade a taste and adjust the flavor if needed by adding more sugar to make it sweeter or more lemon juice to make it more tart. You can also add some more water if you find your lemonade to be both too tart and too sweet.
Once you’re happy with the taste of your lemonade, put it in the fridge for at least 30 minutes to chill. Then once it’s nice and cold, fill your favorite glasses with ice cubes and then pour the lemonade over the ice. Now, finish the drink with some slices of lemon and fresh mint to garnish if you like, and enjoy!
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use limes instead?
Yes! It’s called limeade and is super tasty! Just follow the same instructions using limes in place of the lemons. You can also use a combination of lemons and limes.
Can I use bottled lemon juice for making lemonade?
You can, but I don’t recommend it. Store-bought bottled lemon juice has additives and preservatives, so it’s not as fresh or intense in flavor.
What can I use instead of sugar in lemonade?
Feel free to use your chosen artificial sweetener, stevia, monk sugar, agave, or honey. Just make sure to use an amount that is equal to one cup of regular sugar for the best results.
Expert Tips
- Soften your lemons before squeezing. Make your fresh lemons extra juicy by rolling them on the counter while applying pressure. This trick softens them, which makes it easier to extract all their juice.
- Stir the simple syrup. Be careful not to over-reduce the simple syrup. The sugar just needs to completely dissolve as you stir. If you simmer it for too long or let it come to a boil it can get thick like glue or even burn.
- Make it pulp-free. You can leave the pulp in for some texture or strain your lemon juice with a fine mesh sieve if you don’t like pulp.
- Make an adult-friendly variation. Add some alcohol to the glass right before serving to make a refreshing cocktail. Some popular choices that blend well with lemonade are gin, vodka, and bourbon.
- Add fresh fruit. Infuse it with some extra fruity flavor by mixing in some fresh raspberries, blueberries, or sliced strawberries.
Storage
This lemonade will keep for up to one week in the fridge. It’s also possible to store it in the freezer for up to 6 months in an airtight container, which makes this a fantastic easy make-ahead beverage option for your next party!
Other Delicious Drinks You’ll Enjoy
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The Best Lemonade
Ingredients
- 1 cup fresh lemon juice (from about 6 to 8 lemons)
- 1 cup sugar
- 4 cups water
- ice cubes
- lemon slices
- fresh mint
Before You Begin! If you make this, please leave a review and rating letting us know how you liked this recipe! This helps our business thrive & continue providing free recipes.
Instructions
- In a small saucepan, combine the sugar and 1 cup of water. Bring to a simmer over medium heat, stirring until the sugar dissolves. Remove from heat and let cool.
- In a large pitcher, combine the cooled sugar syrup, fresh lemon juice, and 3 cups of water. Stir well.
- Taste the lemonade and adjust the sweetness or tartness as needed by adding more sugar or lemon juice.
- Chill the lemonade in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes.
- To serve, fill glasses with ice cubes and pour the lemonade over the ice. Garnish with lemon slices and fresh mint leaves, if desired.
Notes
- Use fresh lemons for the best flavor.
- Adjust the sugar to your liking. Start with less, then add more if needed.
- To keep your lemonade cool without diluting the flavor, try making ice cubes with some lemonade.
- Leftover lemonade can be stored in the fridge for up to 7 days.
- For an added twist, infuse your lemonade with fresh herbs like mint or basil.
Nutrition Information
Notice: Nutrition is auto-calculated for your convenience. Where relevant, we recommend using your own nutrition calculations.
