Classic Fresh Lemonade
A timeless, refreshing drink made with freshly squeezed lemon juice and a simple sugar syrup, perfect for hot summer days and gatherings.
- Prep7 min
- Cook3 min
- Total25 min
- DifficultyEasy
- Servings8
Nothing beats the taste of homemade lemonade, especially when it's made with real lemons and just the right amount of sweetness. This recipe is simple, quick, and can easily be doubled for a crowd.
The key is to prepare a simple syrup first, which dissolves smoothly into the cold water, and to use freshly squeezed lemon juice for that bright, tangy flavor. Make the components ahead, and you'll have a refreshing pitcher ready in minutes.
Ingredients
Servings
Converted amounts are rounded.
Method
- In a small saucepan, combine 1 cup water with 1 1/2 cups sugar. Place over medium heat and bring just to a simmer, stirring to dissolve the sugar. Remove from the heat and let the syrup cool to room temperature. Transfer to a mason jar, cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.
- Use a citrus juicer to squeeze 1 1/2 cups lemon juice. Transfer to a mason jar and refrigerate until ready to assemble the lemonade.
- To make the full batch of lemonade, pour 7 cups of cold water into a pitcher, add freshly squeezed lemon juice and most of the chilled sugar syrup. Stir and add the remaining syrup as needed. Serve over ice.
💡 Tips
- For a stronger lemon flavor, add a few lemon slices to the pitcher.
- You can make the simple syrup and lemon juice up to 3 days ahead.
- Adjust sweetness by adding the syrup gradually.
Inspired by a recipe from Natasha's Kitchen