Ice cold Homemade Lemonade is the best beverage to cool down with on a hot, summer day. This classic recipe is loved by most and can easily be adapted to suit your own tastes. You will have the best tasting, most perfect lemonade every time!
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There is nothing more refreshing in the summertime than a cold glass of good old-fashioned lemonade. This tried-and-true recipe will quench your thirst all season long.
The best thing about this recipe, besides how easy it is to make, is that it can easily be adjusted to be as sweet as you like. My kids are super picky about lemonade and often find that store or restaurant-bought lemonade is too sour for their taste.
Plus, there is nothing quite like lemonade made with freshly squeezed lemon juice. It’s simple, but superior to any powder mix.
You can make all types of different lemonade flavors by adding fruit syrups like peach, raspberry or blackberry. Mixing in herbs and spices will also add some interesting flavors or make a half-and-half with iced tea.
Why This Recipe Works
Lemonade is a summertime classic. It’s a drink that just about everyone loves to enjoy to cool down on a hot summer day!
It’s very quick and easy to make. All you need are lemons, sugar and water.
You can control the amount of sweet and sour to create a lemonade that perfectly suits your own tastes.
Step-By-Step Instructions
Ingredients
- 8-9 lemons: you will need about 1 1/4 to 1 1/2 cups of fresh squeezed lemon juice.
- 1 cup sugar
- 7 cups of water, divided
The entire recipe and instructions can also be found in the recipe card at the bottom of this post. You can also print the recipe from the card, if needed.
Create!
Combine the sugar and 1 cup of the water in a small pot. Bring to a boil, then remove from the heat and set aside to cool. This is a simple syrup that you will use to sweetened your lemonade.
Chef’s Tip: creating a simple syrup allows the sugar to fully dissolve into the water. This keeps the sugar from sinking to the bottom when stirred into the lemonade.
Meanwhile, juice the lemons until you have at least 1 1/4 cups of lemon juice.
Combine the lemon juice and remaining 6 cups of water in a large pitcher and stir well. If you will be serving the lemonade right away, use ice cold water, if possible.
Stir in the simple syrup until the desired flavor is achieved. Use more for a sweeter lemonade, and less for a more tart beverage.
Present!
Serve over ice.
Tips and Techniques
- Use fresh squeezed lemon juice for the best lemonade flavor. Bottled lemon juice does not taste the same.
- Add more or less of the simple syrup to control the flavor of the lemonade. Add more for a sweeter lemonade and less for a more tart lemonade.
- Store lemonade in the refrigerator. Consume within a week for the best results.
FAQ’s
How Do You Flavor Lemonade?
Lemonade can be flavored in an endless amount of ways. Try adding fresh fruit or fruit syrups, such as peach, raspberry, strawberry and blackberry. You can also add fresh herbs such as mint or basil and spices like cinnamon and ginger.
Is Lemonade Good For You?
While lemonade does contain sugar, it also has some healthy benefits. It provides plenty of Vitamin C and antioxidants which help to boost the immune system.
More Lemon Recipes
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Easy Homemade Lemonade
Ingredients
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup water
- 8-9 lemons (you will need enough for 1 1/4 to 1 1/2 cups of lemon juice)
- 6 cups ice cold water
Instructions
- Add the sugar and 1 cup of water to a small pot and bring to a boil to create a simple syrup. Remove from the heat and set aside to cool.1 cup granulated sugar, 1 cup water
- Juice the lemons until you have 1 1/4 to 1 1/2 cups of lemon juice.8-9 lemons
- Combine the lemon juice and 6 cups of ice water.6 cups ice cold water
- Add the simple syrup to the lemonade until the desired flavor is reached. Stir well.
- Serve over ice.
Notes
Tips and Techniques
- Use fresh squeezed lemon juice for the best lemonade flavor. Bottled lemon juice does not taste the same.
- Add more or less of the simple syrup to control the flavor of the lemonade. Add more for a sweeter lemonade and less for a more tart lemonade.
- Store lemonade in the refrigerator. Consume within a week for the best results.
Hayley Dhanecha says
This is how I love my lemonade, without any fizz! In India people make this sharbat during scorching summer days. Sometimes we add chaat masala too 🙂
Ann says
You were not kidding when you said this recipe was easy! So simple and quick! I made some for today, and it was all gone! Will make it again soon!
Freya says
I love still lemonade, it’s the most refreshing drink in the summer, and your recipe was the perfect balance of sweet and tangy
Loreto and Nicoletta says
There is nothing better than a nice cold glass of fresh homade lemonade on a hot summer day. Do many memories are evoked from this recipe. Oh how I loved summer as a child!
Veronika says
Nothing beats a cold lemonade in this heat! The recipe was really easy to follow and the lemonade was delicious!
Amanda says
This was so refreshing and perfect for the summer! It had just the right balance of sweet and tart. Delicious lemonade!
Bernice says
I can never pass up a glass of ice cold homemade lemonade. In the summer I alternate between a pitcher of this lemonade and a pitcher of sweet tea in the fridge.
Sean says
This recipe was so easy and so flavorful! I will be making this all summer long.
Gloria says
It’s heating up outside. The homemade lemonade will be a hit for sure. The perfect way to stay cool on the patio.
Marta says
I think everyone should have a good lemonade recipe under their belt and this is a great one. I loved the use of simple syrup so I wasn’t sitting there stirring for days trying to dissolve the sugar.