Description
This refreshing homemade lemonade recipe is perfect for a hot day, combining freshly squeezed lemon juice with a homemade simple syrup for a perfectly balanced sweet and tangy beverage. Ready in just 15 minutes, it serves six and can be garnished with lemon slices or fresh mint leaves for an extra burst of freshness.
Ingredients
Scale
Lemonade Ingredients
- 1 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice (about 4–6 lemons)
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 5 cups cold water
- Ice cubes for serving
- Lemon slices for garnish (optional)
- Fresh mint leaves for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the lemons: Roll the lemons firmly on the countertop to release more juice, then slice and juice them until you collect 1 cup of juice. Strain the juice to remove seeds and pulp if you prefer a smoother lemonade.
- Make simple syrup: In a saucepan, combine 1 cup of water with 1 cup of granulated sugar. Heat over medium heat, stirring constantly until all the sugar dissolves completely. Remove from heat and let the syrup cool slightly.
- Combine lemon juice and syrup: In a large pitcher, pour the freshly squeezed lemon juice and add the cooled simple syrup. Stir thoroughly to blend the flavors well.
- Add remaining water: Pour the remaining 4 cups of cold water into the pitcher. Stir the mixture thoroughly and taste it. Adjust by adding more lemon juice or simple syrup according to your preferred sweetness and tartness.
- Chill: Refrigerate the lemonade for at least 1 hour to chill and allow the flavors to meld together.
- Serve: Serve the lemonade over ice cubes and garnish with lemon slices and fresh mint leaves if desired for an extra refreshing touch.
Notes
- For a less sweet version, reduce the sugar in the simple syrup.
- Using fresh lemon juice makes a big difference in flavor compared to bottled lemon juice.
- Straining the lemon juice removes bitterness from the pulp and seeds.
- You can substitute sugar with honey or agave syrup if preferred.
- Add sparkling water instead of cold water for a fizzy lemonade variation.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Category: Beverage
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: homemade lemonade, fresh lemonade, simple syrup lemonade, refreshing drink, summer beverage
