What Makes the Best Lemonade?
Simple syrup is a thick and sweet syrup used to sweeten a variety of drinks. Why is this important for lemonade? If you just stir the sugar into cold water, it will sink to the bottom and won’t dissolve. We promise it’s quick and so worth it!
The simple syrup is truly the secret to a perfect lemonade recipe, allowing you to adjust the sweetness of the mixture to your taste. Just add the syrup to the freshly squeezed lemon juice to taste until you find the right balance.
a pitcher of lemonade made with fresh squeezed lemons
Ingredients for Homemade Lemonade
This simple recipe perfectly balances the sour and sweet flavors of freshly squeezed lemon juice and sugar. After one sip, you’ll see why homemade lemonade is better than store-bought every time.
Sugar – we prefer using organic sugar to make the simple syrup and sweeten the lemonade. If you want to substitute for a different sweetener, see the variations below.
Lemons– fresh-squeezed lemon juice is ideal, and you’ll need 6-8 lemons, depending on the size, but bottled lemon juice (not from concentrate) could work in a pinch. Use room-temperature lemons to make juicing easier. Then, roll the lemon firmly on the counter before cutting to help release juices.
Lemons, sugar and water ingredients for homemade lemonade
The Best Lemons for Lemonade
Plain lemons (a.k.a. Lisbon lemons) are the best for homemade lemonade and are easy to find year-round in the grocery store, for a more traditional sour flavor to the drink. If using sweeter Meyer Lemons, reduce the amount of simple syrup you use or add it to taste. When shopping for lemons, here is how to pick the juiciest ones:
Size – look for smaller to medium-sized fruit that feels heavy for its size.
Color – a bright yellow color is a good indicator of ripeness.
Texture – the skin should be wrinkle-free and firm with a slight give.
How to Make Lemonade
All you need to make this recipe is a great lemon juicer, a saucepan, and a pitcher. If you don’t have a lemon juicer, use a fork to break up the membrane and release more juice.
Make Simple Syrup – in a small saucepan, simmer 1 cup water and 1 1/2 cups sugar to dissolve the sugar. Cool to room temperature and chill.
Squeeze 1 1/2 cups fresh lemon juice and refrigerate.
To serve – combine 7 cups cold water, cooled simple syrup, and chilled lemon juice. Serve over glasses filled with ice and garnish with lemon slices.
Step by step instructions for making simple syrup with just water and sugar
For a Flavor Boost
Add another layer of lemon flavor by adding lemon zest to the sugar and water when creating the simple syrup. Avoid the white pith of the lemon skins, which can make it bitter, and remember to strain the zest out before adding to the lemon juice.
Lemonade Variations
This base lemonade recipe is delicious and versatile! Here are a few ideas on how to put your own spin on the recipe:
Fruit Purees– raspberry, strawberry, and peach would be delicious
Agave or honey – these will work as a substitute for sugar with a slightly different taste
Herbs – add fresh mint leaves, lavender, or even rosemary to the final mixture
Soda water – get a bubbly twist on lemonade using sparkling water
Iced Tea – mix equal parts lemonade and unsweetened Iced Tea for an Arnold Palmer
homemade lemonade in mason jars with lemon slices
To Keep Lemonade Cold without Diluting
Make lemon juice ice cubes in an ice cube tray and add them along with regular ice cubes when serving to keep the lemonade from being diluted when the ice melts.
Make-Ahead and Storage
Refrigerate: Keep leftovers in the refrigerator for up to a week. The simple syrup and lemon juice will also keep separately refrigerated for the same time.
Freezing: Freeze the simple syrup and lemon juice separately, or mix them together before freezing as a substitute for store-bought lemonade concentrate.
Thaw: allow frozen lemonade to defrost in the refrigerator and serve over ice.
Lemonade in pitcher with lemon slices
Homemade lemonade will never go out of style. It’s a real treat in summer. Next step? Stock up on lemons and satisfy that craving.
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