Description
This Homemade Lemonade recipe offers a perfectly balanced, refreshing beverage combining freshly squeezed lemon juice with sweet simple syrup and cold water. It’s a classic thirst quencher ideal for warm days and can be easily customized with fruits or herbs for an extra burst of flavor.
Ingredients
Scale
Simple Syrup
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup hot water
Lemonade
- 1 cup fresh lemon juice (about 4 to 6 lemons)
- 4 to 5 cups cold water
- Ice cubes, as needed
- Lemon slices (optional, for garnish)
Optional Add-ins
- Berries (optional)
- Herbs such as mint leaves (optional)
- Sparkling water (optional)
Instructions
- Make simple syrup: In a saucepan, combine 1 cup of hot water and 1 cup of sugar. Stir continuously over medium heat until the sugar is completely dissolved into a clear syrup. Remove from heat and allow to cool to room temperature.
- Prepare lemon juice: Roll the lemons on the countertop to loosen their juice. Cut them in half and juice until you have 1 cup of fresh lemon juice. Strain the juice through a fine mesh sieve to remove any seeds and pulp for a smooth lemonade base.
- Mix the lemonade: In a large pitcher, combine the cooled simple syrup with the fresh lemon juice. Add 4 to 5 cups of cold water to dilute the mixture to your preferred taste. Stir well to ensure even mixing.
- Chill the lemonade: Place the pitcher in the refrigerator and let it chill for at least 30 minutes. This allows the flavors to meld and provides a refreshing cold drink.
- Serve: Fill glasses with ice cubes, pour the lemonade over the ice, and garnish with lemon slices or fresh mint leaves to enhance presentation and aroma.
- Customize (optional): For added flair, consider mixing in fresh berries, herbs like basil or additional mint, or swapping cold water for sparkling water to create a fizzy variation of the lemonade.
Notes
- Adjust sweetness by altering the amount of sugar in the simple syrup.
- Use freshly squeezed lemon juice for the best flavor—bottled lemon juice can alter the taste.
- The lemonade keeps well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- For a less sweet lemonade, add more cold water or reduce sugar in the syrup.
- Adding sparkling water just before serving keeps it fizzy.
