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.
Noemi
Simple, delicious and refreshing. This will be my only go to for lemonade.
Sam
I’m so happy to hear you enjoyed, Noemi! Thank you so much for commenting, I appreciate it!
Nicole
Very refreshing drink! Turned out exactly how I like my lemonade. Definitely will be making this more often.
Sam
Thank you so much for letting me know how it turned out for you, Nicole, I appreciate it! <3
christi spears
This was thirst-quenching lemonade, just sweet enough. Thank you!
Sam
I’m so happy you enjoyed, Christi! 🙂
Thank you for commenting!
kia
recipe says 6 cups of water or 1.4 liter of water
you mixed 1 cup to mix the sugar
the remaining 5 cup is still 1.4 liter?!!
I’m confused!
Sam
Hi Kia, it is 1.4 liter that you need total, the remaining 5 cups is 1180 ml.
kia
one cup sugar is only 128 grams!
200 grams is 1.56 cups
Sam
Hi Kia, one cup of sugar is 200 grams.
Stacy
Your homemade biscuits were absolutely delicious! I try your recipe this morning for the first time me and my mother absolutely love them! I will definitely use this recipe again five stars across the board! 😊
Sam
I am so glad you have enjoyed everything, Stacy! 🙂
Kate Godfrey
I loved the lemonade! My daughter made a lemonade stand and she used this recipe…and she loves it!!! I am definitely going to try your other recipes!
Sam
I am so glad you enjoyed it so much, Kate! 🙂
Ashley
How many lemons do you use to make 1/2 cup of lemon juice? I want to try this recipe this weekend 🙂
Sam
Hi Ashley! I can normally get this lemon juice out of 3 or 4 lemons. I hope you love it! 🙂
Diana Ramos
It was great!
Sam
I am so glad you enjoyed it so much, Diana! 🙂
Becca
I tried oranges and it was even better!!!!!
Sam
That’s awesome! I am so glad you enjoyed it! 🙂
Sharon
I used to make it like my gram, fresh lemons and one or two oranges Delicious
Sam
I’m so glad everyone enjoyed it, Sharon! 🙂
Ed
Very good! Just made it with Myers Lemons from our backyard tree. Trying many new recipes during this Shelter in Place. Added lemon zest from two lemons to the sugar and water to make the syrup. It worked out great! Thanks for the recipe!
Sugar Spun Run
I am so glad that you enjoyed it and that it was the perfect recipe for those backyard lemons. Thank you for commenting, Ed! 🙂
Donna Rowland
I added everything but in the sugar I lessen it by quarter of a cup. Otherwise it would have been too sweet
Sam
I’m glad you enjoyed the lemonade, Donna!
Barbara
Best lemonade I have ever had.
Thank you for the recipe
Sam
I am so glad you enjoyed the lemonade, Barbara! 🙂
Sherri Gossett
How much bottled lemon juice is needed for this recipe?
Sam
Hi Sherri! You would need the same 1 cup. 🙂
Sarah
This was delicious! I like the tip about making a simple syrup first. My next batch I will try Stevia so that I can drink it a little more guilt free. Or I’ll try a combination of Stevia and sugar. This post came just at the right time as our Arizona weather is starting to heat up and I was looking for a refreshing drink to combat the hot temps! Thank you!
Sarah
P. S. I’ve also recently made the dark chocolate dipped coconut macaroons and the baked Mac and cheese… Both of which were excellent! Any chance of a macaron recipe coming our way? Your blog is my new favorite food blog.
Sam
That’s awesome, I’m glad to hear you are enjoying the recipes! And YES I have been working on a macaron recipe for a while now, hopefully by the end of the year! 🙂
Sam
I’m so glad to hear you enjoyed the lemonade!! Thanks for commenting, Sarah! 🙂
Linda Baker
I just made the one with oranges and limes and man was it good. The best lemonade that I have ever had
Sam
Those sound like some excellent substitutions! Thank you for leaving a comment and sharing. 🙂
Larry D Akins
Can I use truvia sugar blend?
Sam
I’m not very familiar with truvia sugar, but that shouldn’t be a problem. Sometimes sweeteners like that are more potent than typical sugar, so check to see if the packaging has any recommendations on how to substitute. Enjoy!
Linda Baker
sounds good have you tried adding oranges and limes? I just made some and it was the best Lemonade
Sam
I have not tried those additions, Linda. They sound delicious! 🙂