Classic Homemade Lemonade
This post may contain affiliate links. See our Privacy Policy for details.
Beat the heat with this Classic Homemade Lemonade recipe! Freshly squeezed lemon juice and a quick homemade syrup make this drink a summertime staple. It’s crisp, bright, and just the right balance of sweet and sour.
Want to save this recipe?
Enter your email & I’ll send it to your inbox. Plus, get great new recipes from me every week!
When life gives me lemons, I make lemonade, and not just any lemonade, but the classic homemade kind that tastes like sunshine in a glass! There’s something so joyful about squeezing fresh lemons, stirring up a sweet syrup, and pouring that golden goodness over ice.
It’s my go-to drink when the weather heats up, and I swear it makes even the simplest summer days feel a little more special.
To continue the summer fun, you should try my frozen strawberry lemonade or pineapple lemonade punch; they make the perfect sweet treat to go with your lemonade.
Why I love this recipe
I love this recipe because it’s simple, bright, and makes me feel instantly cheerful. It’s also easy to adjust the sweetness and tartness to make it just right for me!
Ingredients
- fresh lemon juice – use ripe, juicy lemons for the best flavor.
- granulated sugar – or use a batch of homemade simple syrup if you’ve got some on hand.
- lemon slices and fresh mint – optional, but they make your glass look extra fancy!
Step by step
- To make the homemade simple syrup, stir together sugar and water in a small saucepan over medium heat until the mixture is clear and all sugar is dissolved. Set aside to cool.
- Squeeze the lemons until you have about a cup of juice, making sure to remove any seeds.
- Add the lemon juice and cooled syrup to a pitcher, then pour in water. Stir and adjust the flavor to your liking with additional simple syrup.
- Serve chilled with ice, lemon rounds, and a few mint leaves for a bright, refreshing look.
Tips for Best Results
- Use freshly squeezed lemon juice for the best flavor; bottled just doesn’t compare.
- Taste and adjust, add more water if it’s too strong or more syrup if you like it sweeter.
- Add ice just before serving to avoid watering it down too early.
- Chill the lemonade before serving for the most refreshing taste.
Variation
For a fun variation, try infusing your simple syrup with fresh herbs such as basil or rosemary. You could also stir in some pureed strawberries or raspberries to turn it into a berry lemonade. If you prefer, swap the sugar for honey or agave for a different sweetness profile.
Storage
Homemade lemonade keeps well in the fridge in a covered pitcher for about four days.
If you try this recipe please comment and give it a 5-star rating below, I love hearing from you!
Classic Homemade Lemonade
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 6 cups 1x
Description
Beat the heat with this Classic Homemade Lemonade recipe! Freshly squeezed lemon juice and a quick homemade syrup make this drink a summertime staple. It’s crisp, bright, and just the right balance of sweet and sour.
Ingredients
- 1 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice (about 4–6 lemons)
- 4 cups water, divided
- 1 cup granulated sugar or simple syrup
- ice
- lemon slices and mint, for garnish
Instructions
- To make the homemade simple syrup, stir sugar and 1 cup of water together in a small saucepan over medium heat until the mixture is clear. Set aside to cool.
- Squeeze the lemons until you have one cup of juice, making sure to remove any seeds.
- Add the lemon juice and syrup to a pitcher, then pour in 3 cups of cold water. Stir and adjust the flavor to your liking, adding more water to make it less sweet or making additional simple syrup to make it more sweet.
- Serve chilled with ice, lemon slices, and mint leaves for garnish if desired.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Drinks
- Method: none
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size:
- Calories: 9
- Sugar: 1.3 g
- Sodium: 0.7 mg
- Fat: 0.1 g
- Carbohydrates: 2.7 g
- Fiber: 0.2 g
- Protein: 0.1 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
