Easy Homemade Lemonade

All you need is lemons and sugar to make the best homemade lemonade! Easily adjust the recipe to make a 2-quart pitcher or a gallon.

Fresh squeezed lemonade is one of life’s simple pleasures. There’s no need to overcomplicate it. You can make the best homemade lemonade with only fresh lemons, sugar, and clean water.

Sometimes, the simplest things are the best. 

Ingredients

Fresh lemons. You’ll need to juice 5 or 6 lemons for a 2-quart pitcher. Plus, you’ll need two more whole lemons for slicing. Don’t skip the sliced lemons! They look pretty, but they also have a purpose. The lemon peel in the water adds flavor from the citrus oils and gives the lemonade a more complex flavor.

Sugar. Good old-fashioned granulated sugar is the best for making homemade lemonade.

Clean water. Use good quality cold drinking water to make your lemonade.

Ice! Lemonade should be served ice cold for the ultimate refreshing drink.

Variations

Use simple syrup or strawberry simple syrup instead of sugar. Replace the sugar with 1 cup of simple syrup or strawberry simple syrup and reduce the amount of water to 3.5 cups. Taste and add more simple syrup if needed.

Instructions

Squeeze enough lemons to get 1 cup of freshly squeezed lemon juice. It should take 5-6 lemons, depending on the size of the lemons.

I like to use a juicer that lets some of the fine pulp into the juice.

Add the freshly squeezed lemon juice and sugar to a 2 quart pitcher. Stir it to dissolve the sugar. Then, let it sit for 5 minutes.

Add the cold water and stir to mix. Then, add the sliced lemons.

Refrigerate until ready to serve. Serve over ice. 🙂

Storage

Refrigerate in a covered pitcher for up to 5 days.

Serving Tips

Lemonade is the perfect way to cool down and stay hydrated on hot days. I love serving it at birthday parties and whipping up a gallon for cookouts and barbeques! 

• Top a glass of ice cold lemonade with strawberry puree to make strawberry lemonade.
• Adults can mix it with vodka for an easy summer cocktail.
• Or mix it with sweet tea for an Arnold Palmer.
• Make a 2-quart pitcher or double the recipe to make a gallon for a gathering.
• Whip up a batch as a treat for the kids. It’s perfect with after-school snacks to welcome them from school.

More Summer Drinks

• Cucumber, Lemon, and Mint Water
• Strawberry Daquiri Mocktails
• Blueberry Mojito Mocktails