You only need three ingredients to make this classic homemade Lemonade Recipe. It’s so simple and refreshing–perfect for a summer day! Recipe includes a how-to video.
The Easiest, Most Refreshing Lemonade Recipe
I know some of you are going to see this and think, “Do we really need a lemonade recipe?”. Sure lemonade is one of those things that can be thrown together and still taste great (like mac and cheese or French toast); however, having a reliable recipe is still important.
Lemonade is easy to make, but getting the ratios right is critical. Too much lemon and it’s too tart and undrinkable, and too much water and it’s, well, watered down. What I’m sharing today is a perfectly balanced lemonade recipe that everyone is going to love.
Why You’ll Love My Lemonade Recipe:
- Super smooth and evenly sweetened, thanks to simple syrup.
- Can easily be doubled or tripled–perfect for lemonade stands!
- Not too tart and not too sweet; the balance of lemon and sugar is just right.
- Pairs well with iced tea to make an Arnold Palmer.
What You Need
You only need three simple ingredients to make this lemonade recipe (or two, if you don’t count water!):
- Lemons. It probably won’t come as a surprise to you that I recommend using freshly squeezed lemons for this recipe (as I do with my lemon cheesecake). You’ll only need 3-4 nice sized lemons to get one cup of juice.
- Sugar. Plain granulated sugar works just fine, you could also substitute caster sugar!
- Water. I use tap water because mine doesn’t have a flavor, but if yours has a chlorinated taste use bottled or filtered water.
SAM’S TIP: This isn’t totally necessary, but I like to garnish my homemade lemonade with additional sliced lemons for a bright and sunny look.
Remember, this is just an overview of the ingredients I used and why. For the full recipe please scroll down to the bottom of the post!
How to Make Lemonade
- Combine 1 cup each of sugar and water and cook over medium heat until the sugar dissolves.
- Set the syrup aside to cool for about 10 minutes.
- Combine the cooled syrup and freshly-squeezed lemon juice in a pitcher.
- Add the remaining water and stir, then pour over ice and enjoy!
SAM’S TIP: I like to use this tool to juice my lemons; it makes the job so much easier!
Frequently Asked Questions
You could, but keep in mind the honey will impart a different flavor. I’d start with about ½ cup of honey and taste test before adding any more.
Yes, you can make this lemonade recipe using bottled lemon juice. My brother does this all the time, and the lemonade is still excellent.
Fresh mint, rosemary, and lavender are all delicious pairings with homemade lemonade! Or, you could always make my easy strawberry lemonade.
You can find me sipping a glass of this on my front porch all summer long 😎
More Summer Recipes:
Enjoy!
Let’s bake together! I’ll be walking you through all the steps in my written recipe and video below! If you try this recipe, be sure to tag me on Instagram, and you can also find me on YouTube and Facebook
Homemade Lemonade Recipe
This recipe makes ½ gallon of lemonade but can successfully be doubled!
Ingredients
- 6 cups (1.4 L) water divided
- 1 cup (200 g) granulated sugar
- 1 cup (236 ml) fresh-squeezed lemon juice¹ seeds removed, pulp may remain
Recommended Equipment
Instructions
- Combine 1 cup (236ml) water and 1 cup sugar in a small saucepan. Place over medium-low heat and stir until sugar is dissolved. Remove from heat and set aside, allow to cool for 10 minutes.6 cups (1.4 L) water, 1 cup (200 g) granulated sugar
- Pour 1 cup fresh-squeezed lemon juice into a pitcher. Add sugar/water mixture (simple syrup).1 cup (236 ml) fresh-squeezed lemon juice¹
- Add remaining 5 cups (1180ml) water and stir well. Pour over ice and serve, or transfer to refrigerator and allow to chill several hours before serving.
Notes
¹Lemon Juice
I really recommend fresh squeezed, but my brother often makes this recipe using bottled lemon juice with success.Nutrition
Nutritional information is based on third-party calculations and should be considered an estimate only. Actual nutritional content will vary based upon brands used, measuring methods, cooking method, portion sizes, and more.
Tejas
HI Sam!
I haven’t’ made it yet but my purpose is to use this for the Trendy Honey Deuce!
What happens if I try to use a half cup of sugar instead of 1 cup. I am trying balance it with the Chambord. Have you experimented with a half cup of sugar?
Thanks!
Tejas
Sam Merritt
Hi Tejas! It will still turn out if you reduce the sugar, it will just be a little more tart and less sweet. 🙂
Amanda
So delicious! The whole family loves it
Dina Wilson
Cute cup of it
i love this so much cold tooth ahhh to much love for the lemonade
Heidi
The perfect balance of sweet & tart. This is the summertime lemonade you crave!
gooner
10/10 it was delicous i recomend it for every famliy out in the univers
kat@home
You mentioned you brothers lemonade being incredible, so who’s is better?
Sam Merritt
Mine for sure! I wouldn’t publish it if there was something better out there. 😉
Thomas
This is a good measurement recipe for lemonade, but most people will find that it just doesn’t have the lemon flavor they expect. For this, you need the zest from those lemons. This recipe should be amended to include the zest of the squeezed lemons. Let the zest sit in the lemon juice for 10 to 15 minutes before straining with a sieve or cheesecloth. You want to do this to keep it from becoming bitter, especially if you’ve got some of the pith in there with the zest.
Judah
The flavor is so good. I could make it all the time. My friends like it too.
Sam Merritt
I’m so glad everyone enjoyed it so much, Judah! 🙂
Pam
Sooo refreshing on a hot and humid July day in North Florida.
Thanks!
Serene
Absolutely delicious.
Jen
Hi! Wondering how many servings this recipe makes! We want to try and set up a lemonade stand for St. Jude’s!
Sam Merritt
Hi Jen! This will make about 8 8oz cups of lemonade. I hope you have lots and lots of sales!