Description
A refreshing Homemade Lemonade recipe that combines fresh-squeezed lemon juice with a sweet simple syrup. Easy to make and perfect for hot days, this classic lemonade is naturally tangy and sweet, served chilled over ice with optional lemon slice garnish.
Ingredients
Scale
Simple Syrup
- 1¼ cups granulated sugar (if using ultrafine sugar, see note)
- 1½ cups water
Lemonade
- 4½ cups water (divided)
- 1¼ cups fresh-squeezed lemon juice (from 5-7 lemons)
- Ice, for serving
- Lemon slices, for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Make the Simple Syrup: In a small saucepan, combine the granulated sugar and 1½ cups of water over medium heat. Whisk together and bring the mixture to a boil. Once boiling, reduce the heat and stir frequently until the sugar is completely dissolved. Remove from heat and allow the simple syrup to cool.
- Prepare Lemon Juice: Strain the fresh-squeezed lemon juice through a fine-mesh sieve into a 2-quart pitcher to remove pulp and seeds, ensuring a smooth lemonade.
- Combine Ingredients: Add the remaining 3 cups of water and the cooled simple syrup to the lemon juice in the pitcher. Stir well to combine all ingredients thoroughly. Taste and adjust sweetness or tartness as desired by adding more water or syrup.
- Chill and Serve: Refrigerate the lemonade until cold. Serve the lemonade in glasses filled with ice cubes and garnish with fresh lemon slices for an added citrus touch.
Notes
- If using ultrafine sugar, it will dissolve faster in the syrup, resulting in a quicker preparation time.
- Adjust water quantity according to preferred sweetness and tartness balance.
- To make it more refreshing, add fresh mint leaves as a garnish.
- For a sparkling version, substitute still water with sparkling water just before serving.
