Description
This classic homemade lemonade recipe is a perfectly balanced blend of fresh lemon juice, sugar, and water, resulting in a refreshingly sweet and tangy beverage that’s easy to prepare and great for any occasion.
Ingredients
Scale
Syrup
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup water (for syrup)
Juice
- 1 1/2 cups fresh lemon juice (approximately 8 lemons, seeds removed)
To Serve
- 7 cups cold water
- 2 cups ice cubes
Instructions
- Make the sugar syrup: In a saucepan over medium-low heat, combine 1 cup water and 1 cup granulated sugar. Stir slowly until the sugar dissolves completely, about 2 to 3 minutes. Remove the pan from heat and allow the syrup to cool before transferring it to a pitcher.
- Extract the lemon juice: While the syrup cools, bring the lemons to room temperature to make juicing easier. Roll each lemon firmly on the counter under your palm to loosen the juice. Cut them in half and use a juicer or hands to squeeze out 1 1/2 cups of fresh lemon juice, making sure to remove any seeds. Add this lemon juice to the pitcher with the cooled sugar syrup and stir well to combine.
- Mix and chill: Add 7 cups of cold water to the pitcher and stir to mix thoroughly. Place the pitcher in the refrigerator and chill until cold. Avoid adding ice now to prevent dilution.
- Serve: When ready to serve, add ice cubes and optionally garnish with lemon slices directly into glasses or the pitcher to keep the lemonade crisp and refreshing.
Notes
- Use fresh lemons for the best flavor; avoid bottled lemon juice.
- Ensure lemons are at room temperature to maximize juice extraction.
- Adjust sugar quantity according to sweetness preference.
- Add ice only before serving to avoid watering down the lemonade.
- Store leftover lemonade in the refrigerator and consume within 2-3 days.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 3 minutes
- Category: Beverage
- Method: Stovetop syrup preparation and mixing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup (240 ml)
- Calories: 110 kcal
- Sugar: 27 g
- Sodium: 2 mg
- Fat: 0 g
- Saturated Fat: 0 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 28 g
- Fiber: 0.1 g
- Protein: 0.1 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
Keywords: homemade lemonade, fresh lemon juice, summer drink, refreshing beverage, easy lemonade recipe
