Description
This Homemade Lemonade is fresh, bright, and perfectly balanced between sweet and tart. Made with real lemons and simple ingredients, it’s a classic refreshing drink that’s easy to customize to your taste and perfect for a hot summer day.
Ingredients
For the Simple Syrup
- ¾–1 cup granulated sugar (adjust to taste)
- 1 cup water
For the Lemonade
- 1 cup fresh lemon juice (about 4–6 lemons)
- 4–5 cups cold water
- Ice cubes, for serving
- Lemon slices, for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Make Simple Syrup: In a small saucepan, combine sugar and 1 cup water. Heat gently over medium heat, stirring constantly until the sugar dissolves completely. Remove from heat and allow the simple syrup to cool to room temperature.
- Combine Lemon Juice and Syrup: In a large pitcher, pour in the fresh lemon juice and add the cooled simple syrup. Stir well to mix thoroughly.
- Add Water: Add the remaining 4 to 5 cups of cold water to the pitcher. Stir to combine everything evenly. Adjust the amount of water according to your preferred sweetness and tartness level.
- Taste and Adjust: Taste the lemonade and adjust the sweetness or dilution as desired by adding more sugar, lemon juice, or water if needed.
- Serve: Fill glasses with ice cubes, pour the lemonade over the ice, and garnish with lemon slices if desired. Optionally, chill the lemonade in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before serving for best flavor.
Notes
- For extra flavor, add fresh mint leaves or a splash of sparkling water to the lemonade.
- Honey or agave syrup can be used as a natural sweetener instead of granulated sugar.
- Chilling the lemonade for at least 30 minutes enhances the flavor and refreshes the drink.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Category: Beverages
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
