Learn how to make the BEST homemade Lemonade! This delicious recipe is super quick and easy to make, and it couldn't be more refreshing ... the perfect way to cool off on a hot summer day!
This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
The dog days of summer have arrived, and to be honest, it's not my favorite time of year. I'm really sensitive to hot weather, and we've had 21 triple digit days this summer (so far). Don't even get me started on last year when it was pretty much 100+ all summer long. I'm still trying to block that out of my memory and crossing my fingers it never happens again (ha)!
Somehow, you kind of get used to it, and of course, I have my tricks for dealing with the heat. Mainly, lots of shade, sunscreen, A/C, and ice cold drinks ... like this amazing homemade Lemonade!
You're going to love this classic recipe's refreshing sweet-tart flavor. It really is the best thirst-quencher on a hot day! And making this drink from scratch with fresh lemon juice is so much easier than you'd think, and way tastier than anything you can buy.
While you can't just combine sugar, water, and lemons when making Lemonade from scratch (the sugar won't dissolve well), unlike most recipes, this one doesn't require you to make simple syrup. Instead, I have a simple trick that makes this thirst-quenching drink faster and easier to prepare. Perfect for lazy afternoons, kid's lemonade stands, and sweltering weather, because there's no cooking (and no simple syrup) involved!
Ready to start sipping? Then keep reading for all the delicious details!
Ingredients
You only need two ingredients (plus water and ice) to make this classic summer drink from scratch:
- Lemons - Of course, you'll need some fresh lemons! When shopping for lemons, give them a squeeze. Usually, the juiciest ones have a little give. You'll need about four to six juicy lemons for this recipe, but if your store only has rock hard lemons, buy a few extra to be on the safe side.
- Sugar - You'll use granulated sugar to sweeten the drink.
- Water - This recipe calls for hot water from your faucet (not boiling), and it's the secret ingredient that makes preparing this drink so fast ... learn why in the How To Make section below.
- Ice - Make sure you have plenty of ice on hand for preparing and serving the drink.
This delicious lemon drink is naturally vegetarian, vegan, gluten free, and dairy free, which means everyone at your table can enjoy it! I found the easy trick that makes this recipe super fast in Entertaining for a Veggie Planet, one of my favorite cookbooks (it's filled with crowd-pleasing party recipes).
You'll Also Need
To make the recipe, you'll need a juicer for the lemons (I have and love this old fashioned glass juicer). If you prefer no pulp, grab a fine mesh strainer, too. You'll also need a large, heat resistant pitcher. This is the pitcher I have, and it comes with a lid, which is super handy!
How to Make Lemonade (Step by Step)
This recipe is truly easy to make! You'll find a detailed recipe card below, but here's an overview of the steps:
- Juice lemons. Start by juicing your lemons. If you aren't a pulp fan, feel free to strain the juice, although it's not necessary. When you're done juicing, thinly slice the rind from one of the lemons and set it aside. Tip: Before cutting your lemons in half, roll them back and forth on your cutting board (pressing firmly with your palm). This softens the lemon and its membranes, making it easier to get more juice.
- Combine sugar and water. Time for my easy trick! Next, you'll combine hot tap water (not boiling) and sugar in your pitcher. Stir this mixture together until the sugar has totally dissolved, and the water is clear. Tip: Using hot water allows you to make this drink without simple syrup. This save lots of time, because you don't need to wait for the syrup to cool before combining it with the other ingredients!
- Mix in lemon juice. Once the sugar has dissolved, stir in your fresh lemon juice.
- Add ice. Stir a cup of ice cubes into the pitcher and mix until melted. Tip: Adding ice cools off the drink, so you can enjoy it right away.
- Stir in peel. Finally, stir in the reserved lemon peel. Tip: You can skip this step if you want, but it adds a pretty finishing touch.
And that's all there is to it ... now that you know this simple recipe, you'll want to sip this fresh squeezed Lemonade recipe all summer long!
Variations
This refreshing drink recipe is super easy to customize! Here are a few ideas to try:
- More / Less Tart - To make the drink more tart, add extra lemon juice. For a less tart drink, add an extra quarter cup sugar to the hot water. If you've already stirred everything together, you can make extra sugar syrup by combining equal parts sugar and hot water, then mixing until the sugar dissolves. Then add as much as you'd like, sweetening the drink to taste.
- Single Glass - Don't need a whole pitcher? Check my easy recipe for Lemonade by the Glass!
- Other Citrus - Try combining to the lemon juice with other citrus, such as lime, orange, or grapefruit for a fun twist. You'll love this Homemade Orangeade!
- Herbs - Infuse your drink with sprigs of fresh mint or basil.
- Honey - Replace the sugar with your favorite honey.
- Fruit-Flavored - Purée fresh fruit, then stir it into your drink to taste, or sweeten the recipe with a flavored simple syrup. Try my Watermelon Lemonade, Rhubarb Lemonade, or Strawberry Lemonade recipes for starters!
- Sparkling - Use just one cup very hot water to dissolve the sugar. Combine with lemon juice and ice, then stir in five cups sparkling water right before serving.
- Arnold Palmer - Mix equal parts lemonade and ice tea, then serve over ice.
- Cocktail - Tun the drink into a cocktail by adding a shot of vodka, gin, or whiskey to each glass. Check out my Raspberry Lemonade Cocktail or this Lemon Shandy, which pairs the drink with beer!
Storage
If you have any leftover fresh Lemonade, stored it (covered) in your refrigerator. It will stay fresh for up to three days.
Related Recipes
Looking for more drink ideas? You'll love these refreshing recipes, too:
- Peach Green Tea
- Mango Juice
- Grapefruit Coffee Spritz
- Rhubarb Soda
- Watermelon Juice
- Iced Green Tea with Coconut Water
- Aussie Iced Coffee
- Iced Tea with Melon
Lemonade
Ingredients
- 6 cups hot water
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup fresh lemon juice (about 4 to 6 juicy lemons; reserve peel from 1 lemon)
- 1 cup ice cubes
Equipment
- Pitcher
Instructions
- Add 6 cups hot water (from faucet, not boiling) to a large pitcher, along with the sugar.
- Stir water and sugar together until sugar has completely dissolved (about 1 minute).
- Mix lemon juice into sugar-water, then add ice and stir until melted.
- Optional: Thinly slice reserved lemon peel, then add to lemonade.
- Serve immediately over ice, or refrigerate lemonade until ready to drink. Enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
