• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Mom's Dinner
  • Home
  • All Recipes
  • Instant Pot
    • All Instant Pot Recipes
    • Instant Pot Soup
    • Instant Pot Beef
    • Instant Pot Chicken
    • Instant Pot Pork
    • Instant Pot Turkey
    • Instant Pot Pasta
    • Instant Pot Vegetarian
  • Dinner
    • Beef
    • Chicken
    • Pork
    • Turkey
    • Fish & Seafood
    • Mexican
    • Pasta
    • Vegetarian
  • Subscribe
menu icon
go to homepage
  • All Recipes
  • Instant Pot
  • Dinner
  • Podcast
  • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • All Recipes
    • Instant Pot
    • Dinner
    • Podcast
    • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • ×

    You are here: Home / Recipes / Drinks

    Perfect Fresh Lemonade

    Published: Apr 28, 2020 · Modified: Oct 10, 2022 by Susie Weinrich · This post may contain affiliate links. Leave a Comment

    • Share
    • Email
    Jump to Recipe
    fresh lemonade pin image
    fresh lemonade pin image

    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.

    fresh squeezed lemonade in a glass with a lemon wheel and a blue paper straw

    Once you make this fresh squeezed lemonade you will have a hard time going back to the powder stuff!

    Table of Contents hide
    1 How to Make Fresh Lemonade
    2 Storing
    3 Tricks to Getting More Juice from Lemons
    4 Extra Flavors
    5 More Lemon Drinks!
    6 Did you make this recipe?!
    7 Fresh Lemonade

    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!

    Fresh lemonade ingredients - lemons, sugar, water

    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.

    lemon simple syrup in a pot

    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!)

    1 cup fresh squeezed lemon juice

    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.

    homemade lemonade in a glass pitcher with lemons to the side

    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!
    overhead photo of a pitcher of lemonade with 3 lemon wheels

    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!

    • Tequila lemonade in a tall glass with a bottle of tequila to the side
      Tequila Lemonade
    • vodka with fresh lemonade in a small glass with a mint sprig and fresh lemon
      Vodka Lemonade with Fresh Lemonade
    • hot toddy made with tequila in a stemmed glass
      Tequila Hot Toddy
    • Anejo Tequila Cobbler cocktail in a glass with crushed ice
      Anejo Tequila Cobbler

    Susie Weinrich washing produce

    Did you make this recipe?!

    If you make this recipe I would love to hear your review. Pop down to the comment section and connect with me.

    Then sign up for our Weekly Newsletter so you never miss a new recipe!

    Rate This Recipe
    lemonade in a pitcher

    Fresh Lemonade

    Delicious fresh squeezed lemonade recipe that has the perfect balance of sweetness and tartness. Just 3 simple ingredients!
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Pin Rate SaveSaved to Grow
    Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 10 minutes minutes
    Servings: 8 glasses
    Author: Susie Weinrich

    Ingredients

    • 5-6 fresh lemons
    • 5 cups water divided
    • 1 cup white sugar
    Prevent your screen from going dark while you are cooking!

    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.

    Notes:

    Storing: Keep leftover fresh lemonade in the fridge for up to a week.
    Did you try this recipe? Connect with me & let me know how it turned out by commenting below!
    Jump to Comments

    If nutrition facts are provided they are calculated as an estimate to the best of our knowledge.

    More Mom's Dinner Recipes to Love

    • skinny margarita in a glass with a kosher salt rim and a fresh lime
      The BEST Skinny Margarita
    • Frozen strawberry Margarita on a table with fresh strawberries
      No. 1 Frozen Strawberry Margarita
    • Frozen Mango Margarita in a glass with kosher salt and sugar on the rim
      Tropical Frozen Mango Margarita
    • tequila sunrise cocktail on a bar
      Refreshing Tequila Sunrise Cocktail
    • Share
    • Email

    About Susie Weinrich

    Susie Weinrich is the recipe developer, food photographer, and content creator behind Mom's Dinner. She has over 20 years experience in the food industry. Currently, Susie shares all her recipes and food knowledge on Mom's Dinner. You will find her recipes are easy to follow and full of tips and tricks to make sure the recipe you are making turns out perfect!

    Reader Interactions

    We would love to have you comment & rate the recipe! Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    susie in the kitchen with a camera and a board of food

    Hi, I’m Susie, the Mom at Mom’s Dinner! Here you will find simple dinner recipes (and more) that are made with easy to find ingredients. Read More…

    NEED QUICK DINNER IDEAS? CHECK OUT THE PODCAST!

    Helpful Meal Resources

    • a table with white place settings and green garland
      Easy Meals for House Guests
    • a round table with a large family eating dinner
      30 Easy Meals for a Large Group on Vacation
    • Large table set with plates, napkins, food and flowers
      30+ Sunday Family Dinner Ideas (by season!)

    New Recipes

    • skinny margarita in a glass with a kosher salt rim and a fresh lime
    • a bowl of Asian Style Coleslaw with two forks
    • a cast iron skillet full of meatballs in a Gochujang Sauce
    • green salsa with avocado in a bowl with tomatoes and chips to the side
    • close photo of romaine caesar salad with dressing being spooned on
    • Grilled ground chicken burger on a bun

    Favorite Tequila Cocktails

    • a salt rimmed glass with a classic margarita garnished with a lime
    • an orange margarita in a glass with an orange wedge
    • a cocktail glass filled with ice, tequila, and soda water, topped off with two lime wedges
    • hot toddy made with tequila in a stemmed glass
    • ginger margarita cocktail with a lime and fresh ginger coin
    • tequila sour in a coupe glass with a shaker and fruit in the background
    All Tequila Recipes

    Footer

    ^ back to top

    About

    • Susie Weinrich
    • Privacy Policy
    • Accessibility Policy

    Newsletter & Contact

    • Sign Up! for emails and updates
    • Contact Me!

    Recipes

    • Recipe By Category
    • Instant Pot Recipes
    • Dinner Recipes

    Copyright © 2022 Mom's Dinner