This perfectly sweet-tart lemonade recipe will knock your socks off and have everyone coming back for more! It’s easy to throw together with 3 ingredients in less than 20 minutes and is make ahead and freezer friendly – perfect for a summer day. Best of all, this lemonade is smooth without any graininess or separation and is endlessly versatile – use it as the base for strawberry lemonade, peach lemonade, etc. and/or add mint, lavender, cucumber, ginger, flavored ice cubes and more – all variations included!
Watch How to Make Fresh Lemonade Recipe
Refreshing Homemade Lemonade
What is Lemonade?
Lemonade is a refreshing, sweet and tangy beverage, made from fresh lemon juice, water, and sugar. It’s particularly popular during hot summer months as a chilled thirst-quencher, often sold at neighborhood lemonade stands. Its versatility allows for various creative twists, including the addition of fruits and herbs.
When was Lemonade invented?
Lemonade can trace its origins to ancient civilizations, including Egypt and Mesopotamia. These cultures mixed lemon juice with water and sweeteners, like honey, to create the first lemonade. The drink spread to the Mediterranean region, where it gained popularity.
Historical records show Arab traders brought lemons to the Middle East and North Africa around the 10th century. Lemonade, in its various forms, then traveled to Europe during the Crusades and eventually reached the Americas with European colonization. Today, it remains a beloved and refreshing beverage enjoyed by peoples around the word.
Ingredients for Lemonade
This lemonade recipe is made with just a few simple ingredients. Here’s what you’ll need (recipe measurements in the printable recipe card at the bottom of the post):
How many lemons to make lemonade?
One lemon contains about 3 tablespoons of juice. This recipe calls for 1 ½ cups lemon juice, or 24 tablespoons, so you will need approximately 8 good size lemons.
Pro Tip: Store lemons on the counter for up to 10 days or refrigerate for one month. Alternatively, juice immediately and refrigerate the juice for 3-4 days or freeze for 3-4 months.
Tips for PIcking Lemons for Lemonade
Lemons are the star of the show, so select good ones! Here are some helpful tips:
-Appearance: bright yellow, smooth skin without mold, soft spots or wrinkles/shriveling.
-Smell: has a pleasant fragrance before cut into and a clean, sharp, and citrussy fragrance once sliced open. If the lemon smells at all moldy, fermented or vinegary, toss it.
-Weight: heavy for its size = extra juicy.
-Texture: yields slightly when gently squeezed. Lemons that are too firm won’t yield much juice and lemons that are too soft can be on the verge of spoiling.
-Size: select medium lemons because they will have thinner skins and are the best for juicing; whereas larger, thicker-skinned lemons are best for zesting.
How to make Lemonade
Making homemade lemonade is quick, easy and worth every second! Let’s take a closer look at how to make it in just a few step s(full recipe in the printable recipe card at the bottom of the post):
How to Juice Lemons for Maximum Yield
To yield the most lemon juice out of your lemons, start by breaking down the membranes inside the lemon. The membranes hold all the juicy goodness we want! Here’s how:
1. Microwave the lemon for about 15 seconds or until slightly warm to the touch because warm lemons release more juice than cold lemons.
2. Vigorously roll the lemon on the counter for a few seconds to loosen and break down some of the citrus membranes which will get the juices flowing.
3. Use a lemon squeezer or reamer to extract more juice.
Lemonade Ratio
This lemonade recipe is easy to scale by following this simple ratio formula:
1:1:1:2.5
1 cup sugar to 1 cup water (for simple syrup) to 1 cup lemon juice to 2 ½ cups water (for diluting)
At this point, it’s easy to add additional water to dilute the lemon juice concentrate to taste.
Homemade Lemonade Recipe Variations
This lemonade recipe is stand-alone scrumptious or a delicious base for variations and add-ins. Here are some ideas:
Tips for Best Lemonade Recipe
Make this the BEST lemonade recipe by following these few simple tips and tricks:
What to serve with our favorite Lemonade Recipe
Lemonade is the ideal thirst quencher on a hot day! While it pairs well with everything, it is particularly delicious with summer favorites:
How to Store Fresh Lemonade
Store homemade lemonade in the fridge for 5 to 7 days without ice, with the top of the pitcher covered with plastic wrap. Ice will melt and dilute the lemonade flavor, so it’s best to add it right before serving.
How to Freeze Lemonade Recipe
Freeze the mixed up lemonade OR just freeze the lemon juice concentrate (simple syrup whisked with lemon juice) in freezer bags for up to 4 months. Allow to thaw completely, then add to a pitcher. For the concentrate, add water until it reaches desired flavor.
How to Make Lemonade Recipe ahead of time
This easy lemonade recipe can be whisked up up to 3 days in advance, covered and refrigerated, or make components in advance:
-Lemons: Store lemons on the counter for up to 10 days, refrigerate for one month.
-Lemon juice: Juice fresh lemons and refrigerate for 3-4 days or freeze for 3-4 months.
-Lemon juice concentrate: Whisk the cooled simple syrup and lemon juice together and refrigerate for up to 7 days or freeze for up to 4 months.
Fresh Lemonade Recipe FAQs
Lemonade is a a beverage high in sugar, but homemade lemonade typically has less sugar than store-bought concentrate. You can cut down on the sugar by using less or use natural sweeteners like honey or agave or artificial sweeteners like stevia.
Lemonade is high in Vitamin C which supports the immune system, aids in collagen production for healthy skin and connective tissues, acts as an antioxidant to protect cells from damage caused by free radicals, and helps enhance the absorption of iron from plant-based foods. Consuming foods rich in vitamin C boosts the body’s ability to fight infections and maintain healthy skin, bones, and blood vessels.
Lemonade tastes the best when crafted with freshly squeezed lemon juice, striking the perfect balance of sweetness to complement its tartness. Using clean, filtered water ensures a refreshing taste, while serving it chilled with ice cubes enhances its refreshing nature. Most importantly, briefly simmering the sugar with water to create a simple syrup before combining with the lemon juice ensures equal sugar distribution for a cohesive, smooth lemonade.
Yes, you may use bottled lemon juice to prepare homemade lemonade in a pinch, but fresh is best! Freshly squeezed lemon juice boasts a brighter, cleaner flavor, whereas, bottled lemon juice can taste dull, not as fresh and even bitter.
Yes, you can make lemonade with honey instead of sugar, but be prepared for a honey flavored lemonade, instead of the clean, fresh taste.
See my variations section! Add fresh herbs like fresh mint, basil, and lavender, fruit like berries, peaches, or cucumbers, ginger or coconut water.
I do not recommend making lemonade without simply syrup. Sugar will not evenly dissolve in cold water, leaving the lemonade with crunchy crystals collecting at the bottom of the pitcher. The simply syrup, however, ensures
dissolved, evenly distributed sugar with a smooth consistency.
Absolutely! This lemonade recipe can easily be doubled, tripled and more, for a large gathering, potluck, barbecue, lemonade stand, etc. To increase the recipe, simply use the sliding scale that pops up when you hover over the servings in the recipe card.
Plain lemons, known as Lisbon or Eureka lemons, are best for making homemade lemonade. Do not use Meyer lemons because they are sweeter and lack the same vibrant sweet-sour citrus punch. If you do use sweeter Meyer lemons, reduce the sugar by ¼ cup and add more as needed to taste.
To make sugar free lemonade, replace the sugar in the recipe with your choice of zero/low sugar liquid sweetener. I have not experimented with the amount needed, so I would start with less and add more to taste. Because it’s liquid, you can add sugar directly to the lemonade once combined with the lemon juice.
Looking for more Drink Recipes?
Tropical Smoothie
Hot Chocolate
Peach Punch
Pineapple Smoothie
Cranberry Raspberry Punch
Strawberry Banana Smoothie
WANT TO TRY THIS Lemonade RECIPE?
PIN IT to your recipe BOARD TO SAVE FOR LATER!
FIND ME ON PINTEREST FOR MORE GREAT RECIPES! I AM ALWAYS PINNING :)!
©Carlsbad Cravings by CarlsbadCravings.com
Homemade Lemonade Recipe
Save This Recipe To Your Recipe Box
You can now create an account on our site and save your favorite recipes all in one place!
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 1 1 /2 cups water (for simple syrup)
- 1 1/2 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice (with pulp, remove seeds)
- 4 cups cold water to dilute, plus more to taste
- 2 cups ice
Instructions
- Make simple syrup: Add the sugar and 1 ½ cups water to a small, nonreactive saucepan and bring to a gentle simmer. Stir until the sugar dissolves completely, 1-2 minutes. Remove from heat and cool to room temperature.
- Juice lemons: While the syrup is cooling, juice the lemons and add the lemon juice to a large pitcher.
- Add water and syrup: Add 4 cups water to the pitcher and the cooled simple syrup; stir to combine.
- Chill: Refrigerate until cold, about 30-45 minutes.
- Add ice: When ready to serve, stir in 2 cups ice.
- Adjust to taste: For less strong flavor, add additional water to dilute (noting ice will dilute the lemonade somewhat as it melts). For a more intense lemon flavor, add additional lemon juice. For sweeter, whisk in powdered sugar.
Video
Notes
Storage
- Storage: Cover and refrigerate for up to 7 days.
- Freeze: Freeze the mixed up lemonade OR just freeze the lemon juice concentrate (simple syrup whisked with lemon juice) in freezer bags for up to 4 months. Allow to thaw completely, then add to a pitcher. For the concentrate, add water until it reaches desired flavor.
Lemonade Variations
- Swap granulated sugar: Use caster sugar instead of granulated sugar or use honey instead of granulated sugar, noting this will give the lemonade a distinct honey flavor.
- Sugar free lemonade: Start with ¼ cup liquid stevia added directly to the lemon juice and water, then add more liquid stevia to taste. To use powder, dissolve ¼ cup stevia powder in 1 ½ cups water in a saucepan over medium-high heat, let cool, then combine with water to taste.
- Fruit/strawberry lemonade: Puree 1 cup strawberries, blackberries, peaches, watermelon, etc. and stir into the lemonade.
- Add fruit: Add fresh or frozen raspberries, strawberries, blueberries, pineapple or peaches.
- Limeade: Swap the lemons for limes, or use a combination of both.
- Fruit ice cubes: Use ice cubes made from pureed fruits like berries or cucumber.
- Add cucumber: Add cucumber slices for a complex, slightly bitter flavor and a gorgeous green hue.
- Add herbs: Add dried or fresh lavender flowers for a subtle floral aroma; mint for a cool and refreshing taste, or basil for aromatic, minty, sweet pepper notes.
- Add ginger: Add freshly grated ginger for a zesty and slightly spicy flavor.
- Add coconut: Swap the water with coconut water or part of it with coconut milk for a creamy and tropical twist.
- Fizzy lemonade: Use sparkling water for a bubbly twist. It will flatten over time, so combine just before serving. Refrigerate the soda water separately so it’s chilled before combining.
- Add edible Flowers: Use edible flowers like lavender, hibiscus, or chamomile for subtle floral notes.
- Add garnishes: Garnish the rim of each glass with a fresh lemon slice, candied lemon peel, mint, maraschino cherry, or even fruit skewers (like berries or watermelon chunks).
- Sugared Rim: Dip the rim of the glass in lemon juice or water, then dip it into sugar or a mix of sugar and salt to create a sweet and tangy rim.
Want To Make This Recipe?
Did You Make This Recipe?
Tag @CarlsbadCravings and Use #CarlsbadCravngs
Leave a Review, I Always Love Hearing From You!
Erinn says
Delicious! I added steeped black tea to do half tea, half lemonade. So fresh and summery! Thanks for sharing!
Jen says
Thank you, Erinn! I’m so happy you loved this recipe- lemonade is so refreshing on these warm summer days!