Lemonade is a sweet, sour, and refreshing classic summer drink. It is usually made with fresh lemon juice, simple sugar syrup, and water and served with a lot of ice cubes. The recipe I have shared here shows you how to make homemade Lemonade with easy step-by-step instructions for you to try and enjoy at home.
I have also shared a detailed video of this recipe below to show the making process visually clear and simple. This homemade Lemonade is one of the best drinks to enjoy on hot summer days or as a simple drink to quench your thirst. And this Lemonade along with Iced Tea can be used to make Arnold Palmer Drink.
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What is Lemonade?
Lemonade is a fresh, sweet, and popular drink made with freshly squeezed lemon juice, water, and sugar syrup. The process of making the best Homemade Lemonade involves only three steps namely making sugar syrup, squeezing lemon juice, and mixing both syrup and juice with water.
Making a cooling and refreshing Lemonade at home is typically easy and can be stored for up to a week. You can also store the sugar syrup and lemon juice separately in separate containers in the refrigerator. Just make sure to finish the final step by mixing or diluting with water when you are about to serve.
Doesn't it sound simple and cool? Not to mention the final diluting water quantity, you could adjust it depending on how sour your drink is. It is completely based on the taste preferences that are ideal for you and your family.
Ingredients
The ingredients you will need to make this homemade Lemonade are basic and they are simply three ingredients. Let's check out what are they below.
- Lemon - I have used Meyers Lemon here but feel free to use the variety that's handy for you
- Sugar - Sugar to make simple sugar syrup
- Water - For making syrup and diluting the fresh lemon juice
For the detailed ingredients list please check out the recipe card below.
How to make Lemonade?
The recipe I have shared here is the classic Homemade Lemonade Recipe that delivers the best taste and flavor. The process involves making a simple sugar syrup, squeezing fresh lemon juice, and preparing the refreshing Lemonade.
Following are the high-level instructions to make this drink but for detailed step-by-step instructions with photos and video, please check out the recipe card below.
- Prep Sugar Syrup - In a saucepan, add 2 cups of sugar and 2 cups of water. Mix well and allow it to boil for 2 to 3 minutes. Remove the sugar syrup from heat and allow it to cool down
- Cut Lemon - Now cut the lemon in half and transfer it to a bowl
- Squeeze Lemon Juice - Place a fine-mesh strainer in a bowl and squeeze the juice from the lemon. You can use a fork, spoon, lemon skewer, handheld squeezer, or citrus press that's handy for you (note: the number of lemons used here gave me approximately 2 cups of juice)
- Extract the juice - Mix well the pulp that is collected in the strainer to extract the juice from it
- Make Lemonade - In a large pitcher or bowl, pour the lemon juice, reserved sugar syrup, and 2 cups of water. Mix well and refrigerate until it is served
- Serve - In a serving glass, add lemon slices, ice cubes, and chilled Lemonade. Now the fresh Homemade Lemonade is ready for you to taste and enjoy
Tips
- Sugar Syrup - Using a 1:1 ratio of sugar and water delivers the perfect sweetness to your drink. But if your lemons are already sweet enough then you could adjust the sugar accordingly
- Lemon Juice - The number of lemons used here delivered approximately 2 cups of fresh lemon juice, but it may depend on the size of the lemon you are using
- Water for Dilution - Here I have used 2 cups of filtered water for diluting the lemon juice that's ideal for our family's taste preference but feel free to adjust the quantity that is ideal for you
- Refrigerate - Refrigerating the Lemonade at least for 1 to 2 hours delivers the best thirst-quenching feel, especially on hot summer days. You could also store the sugar syrup, and lemon juice separately in separate containers and dilute them with water later when you plan to serve.
- Storage Suggestions - This lemonade can be stored in the refrigerator for up to a week
Calories
This Homemade Lemonade that I have shared here contains 295 calories per serving and it is an estimation by the nutrition calculator. The calorie count may change if you change or alter the ingredients. You could also find the detailed nutritional information in the recipe card below.
Storage Suggestions
This fresh Homemade Lemonade stays good in the refrigerator in a closed large pitcher for up to a week. Enjoy it whenever you feel like sipping a cool glass of refreshing drink.
Serving Suggestions
Serve this Lemonade with a few lemon slices, and ice cubes to enjoy a hydrating and refreshing drink on hot summer days. You can also serve it as refreshment for parties or get-togethers.
Related Recipes
You could also find similar recipes below and more at summer drink recipes and iced drinks recipes.
- Strawberry Lemonade
- Pink Lemonade
- Arnold Palmer Drink
- Shirley Temple Drink
- Rainbow Sherbet Punch
- Homemade Electrolyte Drink
- Hibiscus Tea (Agua De Jamaica)
- Aguas Fresca
- Agua De Horchata
- Sweet Tea
- Iced Tea
More lemon drinks recipes.
Lemonade Recipe video
I have also shared a detailed video of this Homemade Lemonade Recipe below that I hope will help you make a refreshing drink at home. You could also find this recipe in a story format.
📖 Recipe
Best Lemonade
Ingredients
- 2 cups Sugar
- 2 cups Water
- 10 Lemon, medium size
- 2 cups Filtered Water, for diluting the juice
Instructions
To make Homemade Lemonade
- In a saucepan, add 2 cups of sugar and 2 cups of water
- Mix well and allow it to boil for 2 to 3 minutes. Remove the sugar syrup from heat and allow it to cool down
- Now cut all the lemons in half and transfer them to a bowl
- Place a fine-mesh strainer in a bowl and squeeze the juice from the lemon. You can use a fork, spoon, lemon skewer, handheld squeezer, or citrus press that's handy for you (note: the number of lemons used here gave me 2 cups of juice)
- Mix well the pulp that is collected in the strainer to extract the juice from it
- In a large pitcher or bowl, pour the lemon juice, reserved sugar syrup, and 2 cups of water. Mix well and refrigerate until it is served
- In a serving glass, add lemon slices, ice cubes, and chilled Lemonade. Now the fresh Homemade Lemonade is ready for you to taste and enjoy
To Serve
- Serve this refreshing Lemonade as a summer drink to quench your thirst on hot days or as a refreshment for parties or get-togethers
Video
Notes
- Sugar Syrup - Using a 1: 1 ratio of sugar and water delivers the perfect sweetness to your sugar syrup. But if your lemons are already sweet enough then you could adjust the sugar accordingly
- Lemon Juice - The number of lemons used here delivered approximately 2 cups of fresh lemon juice, but it may depend on the size of the lemon you are using
- Water for Dilution - Here I have used 2 cups of filtered water for diluting the lemon juice that's ideal for our family's taste preference but feel free to adjust the quantity that is ideal for you
- Refrigerate - Refrigerating the Lemonade at least for 1 to 2 hours delivers the best thirst-quenching feel, especially on hot summer days. You could also store the sugar syrup, and lemon juice separately in separate containers and dilute them with water later when you plan to serve.
- Storage Suggestions - This lemonade can be served in the refrigerator for up to a week
Nutrition
FAQ
Lemonade is a fresh, sweet, and popular drink made with freshly squeezed lemon juice, water, and sugar syrup. The process of making the best Homemade Lemonade involves only three steps namely making sugar syrup, squeezing lemon juice, and mixing both syrup and juice with water. It is usually enjoyed as a hydrating and refreshing drink on hot summer days or as refreshment for parties and get-togethers.
Even though fresh lemon juice is loaded with vitamin c and good hydration, the sugar syrup in the Lemonade makes the drink not fall under the healthy category.
This Homemade drink that I have shared here contains 295 calories per serving and it is an estimation by the nutrition calculator. The calorie count may change if you change or alter the ingredients. You could also find detailed nutritional information in the recipe card above.
I hope you enjoyed the recipe that I have shared here and I would love to hear from you about how it turned out for you. Please let me know.
If you have any other questions, feel free to post them in the comment section below and I will try to get back to you as soon as possible.
Enjoy!
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