When life gives you lemons, you make fresh lemonade! My homemade lemonade recipe only uses three ingredients and less sugar than store-bought.
Fresh squeezed lemonade is one of my favorite treats during the summertime. It brings back a lot of memories of hot summer afternoons spent cooling off with a glass of something sweet. Now that I’m a little older, I realize how easy it is to make lemonade out of lemons at home! This easy recipe for lemonade tastes just as good as any you might get from the store – or your local stand.
Learning how to make lemonade isn’t complicated either. You don’t even need any fancy equipment! The best homemade lemonade has a little bit of sweetness and gets a punch of flavor from fresh lemons and simple syrup.
Want more refreshing drinks? Why not try some of my other easy recipes, like this Peach Lemonade drink or Taro Milk Tea?
Ingredients of Lemonade
This simple lemonade recipe only has three ingredients:
- Fresh lemons: To get the best lemonade from lemon juice, you want lemons that will cater to your taste. Did you know there are many different types of lemons? For example, Meyers lemons are slightly sweeter.
The type of lemon you choose will change the tartness of the lemonade. Also, for the best lemon flavor, use fresh lemon juice and not bottled lemon juice. - Water: Use filtered and/or drinking water. If you want to create a fresh lemon soda instead of lemonade, swap out the water for sparkling water.
- Simple syrup: You can buy simple syrup pre-made, but it’s so easy to make at home! I love using my simple syrup recipe – you need only sugar and water.
Chef’s Tip: Don’t use granulated sugar in your lemonade! It might not dissolve as quickly as other sugars in a cold drink. You can, however, use other sweeteners, like honey.
How to Make Lemonade from Scratch
Making lemonade from scratch is as easy as 1, 2, 3!
How to Make Simple Syrup for the Perfect Lemonade
For your simple syrup, mix sugar and water in a small saucepan. The ratio is 1:1 – e.g. 1 cup of water and 1 cup of sugar in volume. Stir to combine and simmer until the sugar has dissolved and formed a syrup. For more info and tricks on the perfect syrup, follow my How-To Guide.
How to Squeeze the Most Lemon Juice Out of a Lemon
If you’re finding your lemons a little lackluster when it comes to making lemonade, there are a few tricks to help that tricky citrus release more juice:
- Roll your lemons. It sounds odd, but it works like a charm. Simply place your hand firmly on top of the lemon. Then roll it on a wooden board or counter for a few seconds.
- Put the lemon in the microwave. Another odd-sounding one. Put the lemon on a plate or a paper towel and microwave for 10-20 seconds.
- Cut the lemons and juice them. I’ve found the best method for a smooth lemonade recipe with lemons is to use an electric juicer. But if you don’t have one, you can discover my other juicing methods here.
Lemonade Ratio
For homemade lemonade, I recommend a standard ratio of 3:1:1 for water to simple syrup to lemon juice.
In a large jug, combine the freshly squeezed lemon juice, simple syrup, and cold water and stir. You can also infuse it with other flavors – I like using mint, fresh berries, and herbs.
You can serve this fresh lemonade recipe with or without ice. If you are using ice, I’d recommend putting the ice cubes in the serving glasses rather than in the jug. Ice in the jug can dilute the lemonade. Or, freeze a batch of lemon juice in ice cube trays and add those to your homemade lemonade.
And voila, the process of how to make lemonade with lemon juice is that simple.
How to Serve
The simplest way to elevate the look of your homemade lemonade is to serve it with thin lemon slices. Or, you can also:
- Add some fresh, muddled, strained, or blended fruit to the mix. I love to use raspberries, peach, blackberries, or strawberries.
- Adding herbs is another great way to spice up this easy lemonade recipe. I like rosemary, basil, fresh mint, and lavender for added flavor.
If you’ve got any leftover lemonade, this recipe will keep 4-5 days in the refrigerator – stir it before serving.
How Do You Freeze Fresh Lemonade
Pour your remaining lemonade into a freezer-safe bottle or ice cube tray. Don’t fill the bottle to the top, as liquids expand when frozen.
FAQs
It depends on the size and how ripe your lemons are. I usually find it takes about 4-6 lemons per cup of juice. One lemon usually gives you around 3 Tbsps of juice.
For just one cup of lemonade, you only need 1 lemon if you follow my ratio of 1:1:3.
Likely, some of the pith of the lemon (the white part beneath the skin) got into the juice. The pith is incredibly bitter.
Add more sweetener to your fresh lemonade. Honey and sugar work great. You can also try to “dilute” the bitterness by mixing the bitter lemonade with another fresh batch.
Fresh lemonade is better saved as an occasional treat rather than every day. It is a sugary drink, even if with less sugar than store-bought. Also, citrus fruit and sugar can cause decay in your teeth and break down enamel.
More Delicious Summer Recipes
- Strawberry Spinach Salad
- The Best Peach Crumble
- Homemade Fruit Roll-Ups
- Mangonada (Chamoyada)
- Easy Fruit Punch
If you try this homemade lemonade recipe, I’d love to hear your thoughts and questions below. Also, I’d appreciate a recipe card rating below, and feel free to tag me in your recipe recreations on Instagram @Alphafoodie!
The Perfect Homemade Lemonade
Ingredients
- 3 cups water
- 1 cup lemon juice 4-6 lemons
- 1 cup simple syrup 1:1 ratio sugar to water
Suggested Equipment
- Large glass bottle or jug
Instructions
- For your simple syrup, mix sugar and water (ratio 1:1 – e.g. 1 cup of water and 1 cup of sugar in volume) in a small saucepan. Stir to combine and simmer until the sugar has dissolved and formed a syrup. For more info and tricks on the perfect syrup, follow my How-To Guide.
- Juice your lemons. I've found the best method for a smooth lemonade recipe with lemons is to use an electric juicer – but if you don't have one, you can discover my other juicing methods here.
- Combine the freshly squeezed lemon juice, cold water, and simple syrup into a jug or bottle and stir.
- Optionally, add herbs or other fruit, for garnish, and serve with or without ice cubes.
Notes
- If you want a fresh version of lemonade soda, simply add sparkling water instead of still.
- For fun glass decoration, you can zest the lemons before juicing them. Then mix the zest with a bit of sugar and muddle the mixture.
- Roll your lemons. It sounds odd, but it works like a charm. Simply place your hand firmly on top of the lemon and roll it on a wooden board or counter for a few seconds.
- Put the lemon in the microwave. Another odd-sounding one. Put the lemon on a plate or a paper towel and microwave for 10-20 seconds.
- Add some fresh, muddled (or blended and strained) fruit like raspberries or strawberries, peach, or blackberries, for additional flavor.
- You can also add various herbs to the lemonade, for additional flavor. My favorites include fresh mint, basil, lavender, or rosemary!
- The type of lemon you use will also affect the tartness of the lemonade. For example, Meyer lemons are sweeter. However, any lemons will work.
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