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.
SK
Made this today!! Perfection! Came out just like I had hoped. Too much lemon for my son so next time I’m going to use a little less fresh lemon juice and more water. For me – perfect!!!
Christy
This was a great recipe. My husband loved it.
Leah
Loved this recipe!! Super simple and easy. Made it with my 8 year old daughter and my 10 year old niece, they were the chefs today!!! Thanks again. Will be looking for more!.
Christine
Hey, this sounds delicious. I was just wondering do you use regular tapwater? Here our tapwater has chlorine etc. added which gives it a distinct horrible taste, so i’m worried it will ruin the lemonade.
Sam
Hi Christine! I do use tap water, but mine doesn’t have that taste to it. I would think the lemon would cover that chlorine taste but it may be safer to use bottled water. 🙂
Christine
Thank you, Sam!
Vanessa
SUPER DELICIOUS HIGHLY RECOMMEND 😍🙌
Brandy
Just made this for the family and I doubled the batch… boyfriend said it was almost a little too sweet so I added 2 tsp of lemon juice and he tried it again. It was a hit!! Thanks
Sam
I’m so glad everyone enjoyed it so much, Brandy! 🙂
Ava
I just made this for the first time If you have not tried Lavender Lemonade it is my favorite summer drink! Simply make a lavender simple syrup and add it to this lemonade to taste. It’s great! Thank you so much for this Lemonade recipe!! 🍋
Sam
Ooo I’ve never tried that before, Ava! Sounds delicious! 🙂
Suzan
I’m not a lemonade fan but my husband loves it. I am so
happy that I can make it from scratch with no chemicals
or preservatives, plus it’s nice to know you can use bottled
lemonade if need be.
I will share it with everyone I know that likes lemonade.
Bless you for sharing your awesome recipe.
🍋Suzan🍋
Sam
Thank you so much for trying my recipe, Suzan! I’m so glad your husband enjoys it, and thank you so much for sharing, too! 🙂
Caroline Watterson
The lemonade was awesome I loved it but I used the lemon juice but it was still amazing
Sam
I’m so glad you enjoyed it so much, Caroline! 🙂
Amber
Great easy recipe. My family wanted to make fresh Arnold Palmers and this lemonade was just right to mix with the sweet tea. Thank you for the video didn’t even have to read the recipe! Will be using again.
Sam
I’m so glad you enjoyed it so much, Amber! 🙂
Christopher
Well, that was disappointing. Followed the directions exactly and it tastes like lemon water. No sweet. No tart. Just bland.
Sam
I’m so sorry you didn’t enjoy it, Christopher! Did you happen to leave out the sugar or maybe your lemons weren’t very good.
Caroline Watterson
It was amazing but I used the lemon juice that was already in a bottle but it was still really really good
Elisa
We have tried so many recipes for lemonade this is hands down the best! Not too sweet and not too sour. Perfect!
Sam
I’m so happy to hear this, Elisa! Thank you so much for trying my recipe and for letting me know how it turned out for you!
Mac
I am going to the store to make your lemonade soo yea your recipe is AMAZING I LOVE IT!!!
Sam
That is so awesome! I’m so glad you enjoyed it so much. 🙂
Ed
Pretty good recipe. I add the zest from 2 or 3 lemons to the simple syrup before heating which adds some additional lemon flavor
Sam
I’m glad you enjoyed it, Ed! 🙂
AnnMarie
Ed that is a great idea..I will be sure to try the lemon zest when making lemonade
Valerie
My lemonade dosen’t really have any flavour so what should I do? Should I squeeze more lemons and put them inside the lemonade or should I add more sugar?
Sam
I’m so sorry to hear this Valerie! If you don’t have really flavorful lemons this can happen. You could try adding a little more lemon juice or sugar to your tastes. 🙂
Michelle
This Recipe is so freaking good I made a lemonade stand for 1 whole week and each day there were like 30 persons and more I tried and It was good.Everybody Loved it!!!
Sam
That is so awesome! I’m so glad everyone enjoyed it so much, and I hope you made some good money from your lemonade stand. 🙂
Jim
Am I able to make this recipe without lemons? My town is very small and our local grocery store does not hold lemons. Any help?
Sam
You could use lemon juice. 🙂
Ariana
this was amazing so doing this again mt dauther loved it so much when it summer again she said she is going to do a lemonade stand 5 stars!!!
Sam
I’m so glad everyone enjoyed it, Ariana! Good luck with the lemonade stand! 🙂