Description
Refreshing and tangy, this homemade lemonade recipe is the perfect thirst-quencher for hot summer days. Made with fresh lemons and a simple syrup, it’s easy to prepare and incredibly delicious.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Simple Syrup:
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup water
For the Lemonade:
- 6–8 lemons, juiced (about 1 1/2 cups of lemon juice)
- 6 cups cold water
- Lemon slices, for garnish (optional)
- Mint sprigs, for garnish (optional)
- Ice cubes
Instructions
- Combine sugar and water: In a medium saucepan, combine 1 cup of granulated sugar and 1 cup of water.
- Heat and stir: Place the saucepan over medium heat, stirring constantly until the sugar dissolves and the mixture becomes clear, about 3-5 minutes.
- Simmer: Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer for about 1 minute to thicken slightly.
- Cool completely: Remove from heat and let the simple syrup cool completely.
- Prepare the lemons: Roll the lemons on the countertop to release more juice.
- Juice the lemons: Cut in half and juice to get about 1 1/2 cups of lemon juice.
- Strain the juice (optional): For a smoother lemonade, strain through a fine-mesh sieve.
- Combine simple syrup and lemon juice: In a pitcher, mix the simple syrup and lemon juice.
- Add water: Pour in the 6 cups of cold water.
- Stir well: Mix thoroughly.
- Taste and adjust: Adjust sweetness and tartness to your liking.
- Chill: Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
- Add ice: Fill glasses with ice cubes.
- Pour lemonade: Pour the chilled lemonade over the ice.
- Garnish (optional): Add lemon slices and mint sprigs.
- Serve immediately: Enjoy the refreshing homemade lemonade!
Notes
- For a twist, add some sparkling water for a fizzy version of this lemonade.
- You can adjust the sweetness by adding more or less simple syrup to suit your taste preferences.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Category: Beverage
- Method: Mixing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 110
- Sugar: 26g
- Sodium: 10mg
- Fat: 0g
- Saturated Fat: 0g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 0g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
Keywords: homemade lemonade, lemonade recipe, summer drink, refreshing beverage
