Perfect Fresh Lemonade only takes 3 simple ingredients: fresh lemons, sugar, and water, and is such a refreshing treat. This homemade lemonade recipe has the perfect balance of sweetness, tartness, and citrus freshness! Great on a hot summer day… or add a little vodka for a happy hour cocktail.
Once you make this fresh squeezed lemonade you will have a hard time going back to the powder stuff!
How to Make Fresh Lemonade
When life gives you lemons, make lemonade! Especially if the recipe only calls for 3 simple ingredients: lemons, water, sugar!
Start with a small pot on the stove, over medium low heat. Add in 1 cup white sugar and 1 cup water. Also add in the rind of 1 lemon.
Let that warm on the stove for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Meanwhile, juice 5-6 lemons until you have 1 cup of fresh lemon juice. Strain any pulp and seeds out of the juice. (you can keep the pulp if you prefer, but definitely remove any seeds!)
In a large pitcher, mix the fresh lemon juice with 4 cups of water.
Once the sugar and water mixture is ready remove the lemon rinds and stir it into the pitcher with the lemon juice/water mixture.
Serve over ice! This should be enough to serve about 8 people.
Storing
Keep in a pitcher, in the fridge, for up to one week.
Tricks to Getting More Juice from Lemons
If you bought lemons that are less than juicy, there are a few tricks to make sure they give up all their juice!
- Roll the lemon across the counter, under the palm of your hand, until it starts to soften.
- Microwave your lemon for about 20 seconds.
- Use a lemon reamer or squeezer – this Citrus Press from Amazon or Wooden Lemon Reamer from Amazon. They are a great tool to have in the kitchen, especially if you love Margaritas!
Extra Flavors
If you are feeling extra fancy, you can add some yummy flavors to your homemade fresh lemonade:
- Mint Lemonade: add some mint leaves in with the water, sugar and lemon rind. Serve with mint leaves.
- Cherry Lemonade: add a little grenadine and a maraschino cherry in each glass served.
More Lemon Drinks!
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Did you make this recipe?
I would love to hear your review, especially if you have tips and tricks to add! Pop down to the comment section and connect with me
Fresh Lemonade
Ingredients
- 5-6 fresh lemons
- 5 cups water - divided
- 1 cup white sugar
Instructions
- Start by making a lemon simple syrup – place a small pot over medium/low heat on the stovetop. Pour in 1 cup water and 1 cup white sugar. Remove the rind from 1 lemon and place that in the pot as well. Give it a stir and let it warm for 10 minutes, stir occasionally.
- Meanwhile juice 5-6 lemons until you have 1 cup of fresh lemon juice. Remove the seeds from the juice, removing the pulp is optional.
- Remove the lemon simple syrup from the stove and discard the lemon rind.
- In a large pitcher combine the 1 cup fresh lemon juice, 4 cups cold water, and the lemon simple syrup.
- Stir together and serve over ice!
Optional flavor add ins:
- Mint Lemonade: add fresh mint sprigs in with the water, sugar and lemon rind. Serve each glass with a fresh mint sprig.Cherry Lemonade: serve each glass with a little grenadine and a maraschino cherry.
Novellian says
What type of sweetener could be a good replacement for regular sugar?
Susie Weinrich says
You could try a monk fruit sugar like this Lakanto , it is a 1:1 for regular sugar.