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Homemade Lemonade Recipe

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4.1 from 13 reviews

This Homemade Lemonade recipe is a refreshing and classic drink perfect for any occasion. Made from freshly squeezed lemons, simple syrup, and cold water, this lemonade is sweet, tangy, and incredibly easy to prepare in just 15 minutes. Ideal for hot summer days or as a delightful homemade beverage, it serves 8 people and offers a perfect balance of flavors without artificial ingredients.

Ingredients

Simple Syrup

  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 cup water

Lemonade

  • 1 1/2 cups fresh lemon juice (from about 8 lemons, seeds removed)
  • 7 cups cold water
  • 2 cups ice cubes (optional, for serving)

Instructions

  1. Make the Simple Syrup: In a saucepan over medium-low heat, combine 1 cup of water and 1 cup of granulated sugar. Stir slowly until the sugar dissolves completely, about 2-3 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside to cool.
  2. Juice the Lemons: While the syrup cools, bring the lemons to room temperature by rolling them firmly on the counter with your palm to make juicing easier. Cut lemons in half and squeeze out 1 1/2 cups of fresh lemon juice, removing any seeds. Add the lemon juice to the cooled simple syrup in a pitcher and stir to combine.
  3. Add Water and Chill: Pour 7 cups of cold water into the pitcher with the lemon-syrup mixture and stir well. Refrigerate the lemonade until thoroughly chilled. Do not add ice before chilling to avoid dilution.
  4. Serve: Just before serving, add 2 cups of ice cubes to the pitcher or individual glasses. Optionally, garnish with lemon slices for a decorative and flavorful touch.

Notes

  • Use room temperature lemons to maximize juice yield.
  • Adjust sugar quantity to taste for a sweeter or more tart lemonade.
  • For a sparkling version, substitute some of the water with carbonated water.
  • To keep lemonade chilled longer without diluting, freeze some lemon slices or use reusable ice cubes.