This homemade lemonade recipe is a classic! A delicious and refreshing drink that is the perfect thirst quencher.
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Detailed measurements and full instructions can be found in the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
You can’t go wrong with homemade lemonade! This easy-to-follow recipe will have you sipping on sweet and tart lemonade in no time. Plus, it’s a great way to use up any extra lemons you may have hanging around!
I like to make this classic lemonade recipe with just a few ingredients; lemons, sugar, and water. That’s it! And if you follow my pro tips, you can have a lemonade that you and your whole family will love.
Although I like to use fresh lemons for this recipe, I sometimes use bottled lemon juice. Squeezing the lemons can be a bit much, and having a bottle of 100% lemon juice comes in handy. I use lemon juice that is not from concentrate. I find it healthier, and it tastes better than the ones from concentrate.
If you like this lemonade recipe, you’ll also love our Jamaican Lemonade and Sweet Tea recipes.
Ingredients for Homemade Lemonade
- Lemon juice – I prefer to juice fresh lemons, but feel free to use bottled lemon juice. If using bottled, I suggest using lemon juice that only has lemon juice as an ingredient. Many lemon juices on the shelves have additional additives, sulfites, and lemon oil as ingredients. Avoid those if you can.
- Sugar – Granulated white sugar works best for a classic lemonade.
- Water – Cold water works best.
How to make Homemade Lemonade Recipe
Juice fresh lemons until you get about 1 cup of lemon juice, making sure to discard any seeds or pulp. Place this juice in a pitcher.
Add granulated sugar to the lemon juice and stir until the sugar has dissolved.
Add water to the pitcher and stir. Taste and adjust the sugar to your desired sweetness. Serve over ice and enjoy.
What is the formula for lemonade?
There are no written rules for lemonade, and the ratio of the ingredients will depend on a few factors, like how tart the lemon juice is and how sweet you like your lemonade. My go-to formula is 1 cup lemon juice, 1/2 cup sugar, and 4 cups water.
Should I make a simple syrup for lemonade?
I don’t. In general, people like to make simple syrup so that the sugar easily dissolves into the lemonade. In this recipe, adding the sugar to the lemon juice will dissolve the sugar without the need to heat any liquid.
If you prefer to make a simple syrup, bring 1 cup of granulated sugar and 1 cup of water to a boil in a saucepan. Boil for 2 minutes until the sugar has completely dissolved into the water. Let it cool before adding it to the lemonade.
Pro Tips for Making the Perfect Lemonade
- Start with cold water. Lemonade is best served cold. Using cold water rather than room temp will give you better-tasting lemonade.
- Use freshly squeezed lemon juice for the best flavor. If using bottled, make sure it’s 100% lemon juice, not from concentrate.
- Adjust the sugar to your preferences. Start with less and add more until it reaches your desired sweetness.
- If you want to add a bit of sparkle, add some club soda or sparkling water.
- Don’t forget the ice – it makes all the difference when it comes to lemonade!
FAQ’s
When selecting lemons, look for ones that are bright yellow in color and firm to the touch. When squeezed, the lemon should give slightly but not be too soft or squishy.
This will depend on how juicy the lemons are, but typically you’ll need 5-6 medium-sized lemons to get 1 cup of lemon juice. Many lemons will have about 2-4 Tablespoons of juice, depending on size.
Homemade lemonade can last up to 3 days in the refrigerator. Store it in an airtight container to ensure the best quality and flavor.
I hope you enjoy this classic lemonade recipe, which brings a refreshing coolness to your summer days! And remember, don’t forget the ice and enjoy it with friends or family that you may have hanging around.
Looking for more refreshing drink recipes? Try these out
Classic Homemade Lemonade
Ingredients
- 1 cup lemon juice from 5-6 lemons
- 1/2 cup sugar or to taste
- 4 cups cold water
Instructions
- Juice fresh lemons until you get about 1 cup of lemon juice, making sure to discard any seeds or pulp. Place juice in a pitcher.
- Next, add granulated sugar to the lemon juice and stir until the sugar has dissolved.
- Add water into the pitcher and stir. Taste and adjust the sugar to your desired sweetness. Serve over ice and enjoy.
Notes
- Use freshly squeezed lemon juice for the best flavor. If using bottled, make sure it’s 100% lemon juice, not from concentrate.
- Adjust the sugar to your preferences. Start with less and add more until it reaches your desired sweetness.