Description
This Homemade Lemonade is a refreshing summer staple made with real lemons, a touch of sweetness, and the perfect balance of tart and chill. Great for cookouts, backyard sipping, or cooling off anytime.
Ingredients
1 cup fresh lemon juice
1 cup granulated sugar
1 cup hot water
4 to 5 cups cold water
Ice cubes
Lemon slices (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
1. In a saucepan, combine 1 cup hot water and 1 cup sugar. Stir over medium heat until sugar is fully dissolved to make a simple syrup. Let it cool.
2. Roll lemons on the counter, slice in half, and juice them until you get 1 cup of fresh lemon juice. Strain to remove seeds.
3. In a large pitcher, mix the lemon juice and cooled syrup. Add 4 to 5 cups of cold water, adjusting to taste.
4. Stir well and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
5. Serve over ice and garnish with lemon slices or mint leaves.
6. Optional: Add berries, herbs, or sparkling water for extra flair.
Notes
Always use fresh lemons for the best citrus flavor.
Make the simple syrup ahead of time and store it in the fridge for quicker assembly.
Add ice only when serving to avoid watering it down during storage.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 90
- Sugar: 22g
- Sodium: 5mg
- Fat: 0g
- Saturated Fat: 0g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 24g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 0g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
Keywords: lemonade, summer drinks, easy homemade lemonade