What’s more thirst-quenching on a hot summer day than a tall glass of homemade lemonade?
You’ll need just three ingredients (and one is water!) to make this delicious lemonade from scratch!
A Fresh Summer Favorite
A fresh lemonade recipe is a favorite.
- It’s so easy to make at home.
- Easy and refreshing, this homemade lemonade recipe needs just 3 ingredients.
- Squeeze the lemons and keep the juice in the fridge for a few days or freeze it for a few months.
- Extra lemon simple syrup is great in all kinds of drinks or even tea!
Or, spike it with vodka for your next (adult) party!
Ingredients for Lemonade
LEMONS – For the best flavor, use fresh lemons. Bottled lemon juice can be used but can sometimes have a bit of a bitter flavor. Don’t forget the lemon slices for garnish too!
SWEETENER – We use sugar to make a lemon simple syrup (make extra if you’d like, it’s great in tea or cocktails)! You can sweeten it with honey, maple syrup, or agave if you’d prefer.
WATER/ICE – Water and ice are needed to make this refreshing, thirst-quenching drink!
Variations
Add New Flavors: Try making it into a fresh strawberry lemonade, a raspberry lemonade or add watermelon, fresh mint leaves, or even make a limeade with fresh limes!
Make Pink Lemonade: For pink lemonade add a bit of cranberry juice, raspberry juice, or grenadine to reach the desired color.
Adjust the Sweetness: If homemade lemonade is too sweet, simply add more lemon juice and if it’s too tart, add a spoonful of sugar and a bit of water.
Make it Boozy: Spike it with a bit of vodka or flavored vodka if you’d like!
How to Make Lemonade
Super simple and fun, homemade lemonade takes just 3 simple steps to make!
- Make Lemon Simple Syrup: Zest a few strips of the rind from a lemon (use a veggie peeler). Combine sugar, water, and lemon zest in a pan and simmer until dissolved.
- Juice Lemons: Squeeze the lemons to make 1 1/4 cups lemon juice.
- Add Water: Add ice and 6 cups of water to make 2 quarts and chill until serving.
Keep the garnish simple with lemons or serve it shirley temple style with pomegranates, orange slices, or cherries!
Tips & Make Ahead
- Microwave the lemons for about 15-20 seconds and then roll on the counter to extract more juice.
- Rinse and scrub lemons with a vegetable brush before zesting. Scrubbing them removes the wax that is sprayed on them during shipment.
- Juice lemons using a juicer but if you don’t have a juicer, cut in half and put a fork into the lemon while squeezing.
- If you’d prefer you can strain out the pulp. Pour the lemon juice through a coffee filter
- Store lemonade in the refrigerator and stir it before serving.
More Summer Drinks
Did you love this Homemade Lemonade? Be sure to leave a rating and a comment below!
Homemade Lemonade
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 ¼ cups fresh lemon juice about 6-8 lemons
- 1 ¼ cups sugar or simple syrup
- ice
- water
- extra lemon slices for garnish
Instructions
- Peel 3 long strips of zest off of the lemons.
- Combine sugar, 1 ½ cups water, and lemon zest in a small saucepan and bring just to a boil until sugar is dissolved. Cool completely.
- Cut the lemons in half and squeeze out the juice using a juicer. If you don't have a juicer, place a fork in the lemon and gently squeeze while rocking the fork back and forth. You will need 1 ¼ cups lemon juice.
- Place 1 ¼ cups lemon juice and 1 cup* of the simple syrup in a 2 QT pitcher.
- Add ice and 6 cups of cold water. Stir to combine.
- Taste and add more simple syrup if desired.
Notes
- *If you prefer lemonade to be less sweet, start with 3/4 cup of simple syrup and add more to taste.
- Microwave the lemons for about 15-20 seconds and then roll on the counter to extract more juice.
- Rinse and scrub lemons with a vegetable brush before zesting. Scrubbing them removes the wax that is sprayed on them during shipment.
- Juice lemons using a juicer but if you don’t have a juicer, cut in half and put a fork into the lemon while squeezing.
- If you’d prefer you can strain out the pulp. Pour the lemon juice through a coffee filter
- Store lemonade in the refrigerator and stir it before serving.
Nutrition Information
Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.
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Just made this with my 8 soon to be 9 year old great grandson and he gives it 2 thumbs up.![5 stars](data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODdhAQABAPAAAP///wAAACwAAAAAAQABAEACAkQBADs=)
So glad he enjoyed it!!
This is easy peasy and we also tried it sparkling….we used sparkling water with the simple sugar and lemon juice…..totally a crowd pleaser.
Love the sparkling water addition Millie!
I just made this for our Family Sunday dinner. I love this recipe. Most importantly I can regulate how much sugar goes inside it. If I need to make it for those members of the family who are diabetic. I can substitute the sugar with a sugar sweetener
Thanks this is great. I also loved the Rosemary Dijon Pork Tenderloin. I make that one all the time.![5 stars](data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODdhAQABAPAAAP///wAAACwAAAAAAQABAEACAkQBADs=)
So happy this recipe works so well for your family! We love having that control over the sweetness too!
Thank you for sharing this alcohol free drink/ beverage.![5 stars](data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODdhAQABAPAAAP///wAAACwAAAAAAQABAEACAkQBADs=)
Many of us don’t drink and need more ideas.
Enjoy the recipe Carolyn!
I’m going to try it the next time I go shopping. I’m going to try it with 0 carb sweeteners recommended for keto.![5 stars](data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODdhAQABAPAAAP///wAAACwAAAAAAQABAEACAkQBADs=)
Let us know how you like it Lane!
It’s perfect timing that this landed in my inbox. I bought lemons yesterday to make lemonade for a family gathering tomorrow. Thank you!
Enjoy Shannon!!
Recipes look delicious!
Our kids loves this lemonade!! Just right on sweet to tart ratio.![5 stars](data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODdhAQABAPAAAP///wAAACwAAAAAAQABAEACAkQBADs=)
We love it too Carrie, so glad you enjoyed this!