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Nothing says summer quite like a tall, ice-cold glass of classic homemade lemonade. Made with simple ingredients like fresh lemon juice, simple syrup, and water, this timeless drink is easy to prepare and far better than anything you’ll find in a store-bought bottle.
Whether you're hosting a backyard barbecue, cooling off on a hot afternoon, or just craving something bright and refreshing, homemade lemonade is always a good idea.
One of the best things about homemade lemonade is that you can adjust the sweetness and tartness to your liking. Some prefer a bold, tangy lemonade with just a hint of sweetness, while others enjoy a more balanced, mellow drink. By using real lemons and homemade simple syrup, you can create the perfect fresh lemonade tailored to your personal taste.
Lemonade isn’t just a summer staple—it’s also a nostalgic drink that brings back memories of childhood lemonade stands, family picnics, and lazy afternoons spent outdoors in the summer heat. Its crisp, citrusy flavor is both refreshing and uplifting, making it the ultimate thirst-quencher no matter the occasion.
What’s in Homemade Lemonade
- Lemon Juice - You'll want to squeeze fresh lemons for the best flavor. You'll need 6-8 large lemons for this recipe. If you decide to go with bottled lemon juice, choose a high quality one. I like Real Lemon brand.
- Simple Syrup - This two ingredient cane sugar syrup is quick and easy to make at home and will do a better job of sweetening your lemonade vs stirring the sugar directly into the water and lemon juice. Get the recipe and instructions over on my Simple Syrup Recipe page.
- Water - Choose filtered water for the best flavor.
- Lemons (garnish) - Lemon slices, lemon wheels, lemon peels - the garnish is totally up to you! Make it as simple or as fancy as you want.
- Fresh mint (optional garnish) - Completely optional, but I love what fresh mint adds to this classic lemonade recipe when you sip it.
How to Make Homemade Lemonade (Step by Step)
In a large pitcher, combine lemon juice, simple syrup, and cold water. Stir well and refrigerate until ready to serve.
Skip putting ice in the pitcher and instead serve in glasses filled with ice cubes.
Garnish with a mint sprig or, lemon wedges, or lemon slices.
Classic Homemade Lemonade Recipe
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 cup lemon juice fresh squeezed, if possible
- 1.5 cups simple syrup
- 4 cups cold water
- Lemons garnish
- Fresh mint optional garnish
Instructions
- In a large pitcher, combine lemon juice, simple syrup, and cold water. Stir well.1 cup lemon juice, 1.5 cups simple syrup, 4 cups cold water
- Refrigerate until ready to serve.
- Serve in glasses filled with ice cubes.
- Garnish with sprigs of mint and lemon slices.Lemons, Fresh mint
- Store any leftover lemonade in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
Nutrition
Why Use Simple Syrup Instead of Plain Sugar?
One of the biggest mistakes people make when making lemonade is stirring granulated sugar directly into cold water and lemon juice. Sugar doesn’t dissolve easily in cold liquids, leaving you with a gritty texture at the bottom of your glass. That’s where simple syrup comes in!
Simple syrup is a combination of sugar and water heated until the sugar fully dissolves, creating a smooth, sweet liquid that blends seamlessly into lemonade. By using simple syrup, you ensure that every sip is perfectly sweet without any grainy texture. Plus, you can easily adjust the sweetness to your liking!
Make Your Own Simple Syrup
Simple syrup is only sugar and water, so take a few minutes to make it before stirring up a big batch of lemonade. Get my recipe and instructions for how to make simple syrup over on my Simple Syrup recipe page.
Make it Honey Lemonade
For a sweet variation on classic lemonade, swap the simple syrup in this recipe for honey syrup.
What Kind of Lemons Are Best for Lemonade?
The key to the perfect lemonade starts with the right lemons. While any lemon will work, some varieties yield better flavor and more juice than others. Here are the best options:
- Eureka Lemons – The most common variety found in grocery stores, these lemons have a bright, tangy flavor with a good balance of sweetness and acidity.
- Meyer Lemons – Slightly sweeter and less acidic than Eureka lemons, Meyer lemons make for a naturally smoother, less tart lemonade.
- Lisbon Lemons – Similar to Eureka lemons but often juicier, making them a great choice if you want to extract the most juice.
For the freshest flavor, choose lemons that are firm, heavy for their size, and have smooth, bright yellow skin.
Want to Try More Lemonade Flavors?
Once you’ve mastered classic lemonade, there are so many ways to get creative with flavors! Try one of these variations:
- Basil Strawberry Lemonade with fresh strawberries and easy basil syrup.
- Mixed Berry Lemonade with homemade mixed berry syrup.
- Pomegranate Lemonade with pomegranate juice.
- Raspberry Lemonade with quick homemade raspberry syrup.
- Blueberry Lavender Lemonade made with fresh blueberries and simple lavender syrup.
- Unicorn Lemonade made with color-changing butterfly pea flower syrup.
Or use classic lemonade as an ingredient in an Arnold Palmer mocktail or Spiked Arnold Palmer cocktail.
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