Homemade Lemonade

Name: Homemade Lemonade
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 10 min
Ingredients: 1 cup water; 1 cup cane or granulated sugar (or honey- see notes); 1 cup fresh lemon juice; 3 cups cold water for diluting (adjust to taste); 2-3 cups ice; Lemon slices, mint leaves for garnishing

Simple and easy homemade lemonade recipe from scratch! Make the best lemonade with just three ingredients - sugar, water and lemons, in under 10 minutes.

With a fine balance of sweet and tart, this lemonade recipe is easy to customize and makes for a refreshing drink for BBQs, picnics or a casual weekend in your backyard!

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My family enjoys freshly squeezed lemonade all year round. We prefer our homemade version to the store-bought since we can control the sugar and customize it to our liking. Many times I end up making it with honey instead of sugar since honey is relatively low on the glycemic index.

The best part about this fresh lemonade recipe is that it comes together with just 3 ingredients that you most likely already have on hand. I make a big batch of lemonade concentrate, and freeze it in ice cube trays for later use. It's such a simple and convenient way to enjoy this refreshing drink whenever the craving strikes.

With a quick simple syrup which takes just 5-7 minutes to make, you get restaurant-style lemonade right in your kitchen. It's an easy homemade lemonade recipe that's easy to customize or even add a fun twist to. For example, add a bunch of mint leaves or basil leaves, or sneak in a few slices of ginger in the simple syrup- the possibilities are endless.

Ingredients- Notes & Substitutions

Large juicy lemons and a sweetener is all we need in addition to water for the best lemonade recipe. Let's checkout some notes and alternatives:

Lemons: Pick ripe and juicy lemons for this recipe. Look for lemons that are plump with a tender skin. When comparing lemons, the heavier ones are more juicy than others. I wouldn't recommend the bottled concentrate for this recipe.
Sugar: I prefer to use cane sugar as that is slightly less processed than granulated sugar. But they are interchangeable in this recipe. However, if you're looking for a low-glycemic sweetener, use honey instead (instructions in notes).
Water: We need water in two steps here. First to make the concentrate, and later to make lemonade. Chilled water is always a great start to a delicious lemonade.
Garnish: These are optional but add to the visual appeal of this classic summer drink. I use a few halved slices of lemon and mint leaves for a quick and summery garnish for each glass.

Try a Variation

Mint Lemonade: Add mint leaves to the simple syrup right after turning off the heat. The mint leaves will infuse their flavor as the syrup cools. Discard them before combining with lemon juice.
Sparkling lemonade: For a fizzy lemonade use sparking water or soda water instead of plain water. Add it just before serving though.
Ginger lemonade: Add sliced ginger while making simple syrup. Remove the slices when combining with water.

Pitcher of lemonade with a slice of lemon

How to Make Homemade Lemonade

Here are the step by step instructions to make homemade lemonade from scratch. The quantities in this recipe make about 2 ¼ cups of lemonade concentrate (36 tablespoons). Scroll below for the printable recipe card with ingredient quantities and process.

Make simple syrup: You can make this on the stove or in your Instant pot.
1. Stovetop: Combine water and sugar in a sauce pan and cook on medium-high heat. Stir regularly until the water comes to a simmer. When the sugar dissolves completely, turn the heat off. Cool to room temperature, then refrigerate until chilled.
2. Instant Pot: This method comes in handy when making lemonade for a large gathering. Add water and sugar to the steel insert. Stir and close lid on sealing position. Pressure cook on high for 2 minutes. Wait 5 minutes then release pressure. Cool and chill until ready to use.
Juice the lemons: While the syrup is cooling, I juice the lemons using a lemon squeezer or simply twist the lemon halves with a fork to extract all the juice. Strain the juice to remove seeds. Press the pulp with a spatula to get the most juice.
Combine to make lemonade concentrate: Add the lemon juice to the cooled simple syrup and give it a stir. Your lemonade concentrate is ready. Refrigerate for 30 minutes, or until ready to serve.
Serve: Make a pitcher or pour in individual glasses as follows:
- Make a pitcher: Pour the lemonade concentrate and chilled water into a large pitcher. Stir well. Taste the lemonade. Add more water to dilute it, although keep in mind that the ice will dilute it further. For a sweeter lemonade add more concentrate. Refrigerate until ready to serve. To serve, add ½ cup ice in a tall glass and pour ¾ cup lemonade. Garnish with lemon slices and/or mint leaves and enjoy!
- Individual: In a glass, add ½ cup ice. Pour 6 tablespoons of lemon concentrate and top that with ½ cup water. Stir to mix. Check taste and add more water or lemonade concentrate if needed. Garnish with lemon slices and/or mint leaves and enjoy!

4 photo grid showing process to make lemonade

How to Store & Freeze

Store: You can prepare the lemonade concentrate 2-3 days ahead of time and refrigerate until ready to use. Alternatively, you can prepare the lemonade a few hours ahead of time and refrigerate. Remember not to add ice as that will dilute the drink. Lemonade should last in your fridge for up to 3-4 days.

How to Freeze homemade lemonade: You can freeze lemonade concentrate in ice cube trays. After a few hours, pop the cubes and transfer them to freezer safe ziplock bags. Label and date the bag and freeze for up to 3 months.

Top view of mason jar filled with ice and lemonade

Recipe Tips and Notes

Lemons: Use ripe juicy lemons for this recipe. Avoid using the bottles lemon juice concentrate as that does not have the same flavor as fresh lemons.
Juicing lemons: Roll the lemons on your kitchen counter before cutting in half. Alternatively, pop them in the microwave for 5-8 seconds. This helps release the most juice out of lemons.
Dilute to taste: After tasting your lemonade, you can add more water if you like to dilute it more. Keep in mind that the ice in your glass will dilute it too. Alternatively, add more lemonade concentrate to make it sweeter.
Add honey instead of sugar: If you want to use a low-glycemic sweetener, use honey instead of sugar. Boil the water and turn off the heat. Now stir in honey and mix until well combined.
Make ahead: To make lemonade for a party, prepare the lemonade concentrate 2-3 days ahead of time and refrigerate until ready to use. When ready, make a pitcher following the instructions.
Large Quantity: Use the Instant Pot to make simple syrup when making lemonade for a large gathering. Even though it takes about the same time, it makes the process hands-off. You don't have to monitor the pan over the stove.

FAQs

How long does homemade lemonade last?

Once you prepare the homemade lemonade, it can last for 3-4 days in the refrigerator. Simply cover the jar tightly with a food storage wrap or seal.

Is fresh homemade lemonade bad for you?

The answer will depend on your consumption. While lemons are rich in minerals and vitamin C, which boosts your immune system, it also contains a large quantity of sugar. Be sure to enjoy this homemade lemonade in moderation.

Is it cheaper to make your own lemonade?

Unlike many other recipes where it's cheaper to make it at home, homemade lemonade ends up costing more than store-bought. The cost of lemons will most likely be higher than an equivalent carton from the store. But making lemonade from scratch is much better since it is free of preservatives and you know exactly what went into it.

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