Refreshing Homemade Lemonade Recipe

Ingredients

1 1/2 cups of fresh lemon juice (about 6-8 lemons)
1 3/4 cups white sugar
8 cups water
1 lemon sliced (for garnish)
Ice cubes

Steps and instructions

Squeeze the lemons until you have 1 1/2 cups of fresh lemon juice.
In a small saucepan, combine sugar and 1 cup of water.
Bring the mixture to a boil and stir until the sugar has completely dissolved to create a syrup.
Remove the syrup from heat and let it cool.
In a large pitcher, combine the cooled syrup, lemon juice, and the remaining 7 cups of water. Stir well.
Add ice cubes to the pitcher and garnish with lemon slices.
Chill in the refrigerator or serve immediately.

Tools for making

Citrus Juicer - Used to extract juice from the lemons.
Saucepan - To prepare the sugar syrup.
Large Pitcher - To mix and serve the lemonade.
Stirring Spoon - To stir the ingredients together.
Knife - For slicing lemons for garnish.
Refrigerator - To chill the lemonade if desired.

Recipe variations

Add a splash of sparkling water or soda water for some fizziness.
Replace white sugar with honey or agave syrup for a different sweetener.
Add a few sprigs of fresh mint or basil for an herbal twist.
Experiment with other citrus fruits such as lime, orange, or grapefruit.
Infuse the lemonade with fruits like strawberries, raspberries, or peaches.
Create a lemonade slushie by blending the lemonade with ice.
Add a splash of fruit juice like cranberry or pomegranate for added flavor.
Mix in a dash of ginger or cinnamon for a spicier version.
Spike the lemonade with a shot of vodka, rum, or tequila for an adult beverage.
Create a frozen lemonade popsicle by pouring the mixture into popsicle molds and freezing.

Recipe overview

Welcome to this delightful and refreshing homemade Lemonade recipe! This recipe will guide you through the process of making traditional lemonade from scratch. Made with just three simple ingredients - fresh lemon juice, sugar, and water, this lemonade is the perfect balance of tart and sweet. You'll start by creating a sweet syrup, then you'll mix it with fresh lemon juice and water to get that classic lemonade flavor. Finished off with a few slices of lemon for garnish, and plenty of ice to keep it cool, this homemade lemonade is a must for any hot summer day or anytime you need a refreshing drink. Expect to spend around 15 minutes on the preparation, and you'll end up with approximately 8 servings of this thirst-quenching beverage. Enjoy!

Common questions

How many lemons do I need to make 1 1/2 cups of lemon juice? - You will need approximately 6-8 lemons.
Can I use bottled lemon juice instead of fresh? - While fresh lemon juice is recommended for the best flavor, you can use bottled lemon juice if you don't have fresh lemons available.
Can I adjust the amount of sugar in the recipe? - Yes, you can adjust the amount of sugar to suit your taste. Add more or less depending on how sweet or tart you prefer your lemonade.
Can I make the syrup in advance? - Yes, you can make the syrup in advance and store it in the refrigerator until you are ready to make the lemonade.
How long does the lemonade need to chill in the refrigerator? - The lemonade can be served immediately, but chilling it in the refrigerator for at least an hour will help enhance the flavors.
Can I add other fruits or flavors to the lemonade? - Absolutely! You can experiment with adding fresh fruits like berries or herbs like mint to create different variations of lemonade.

Serving dishes and utensils

Large pitcher - A container to hold and serve the lemonade.
Saucepan - For boiling the sugar and water to make the syrup.
Lemon squeezer - A tool to extract juice from the lemons easily.
Stirring spoon - For mixing the ingredients together.
Knife - To slice lemons for garnish.
Ice cube tray - To make ice cubes for the lemonade.
Refrigerator - To chill the lemonade before serving.

Origin stories

Lemonade, as we know it, is believed to have first been created in ancient Egypt. The Egyptians had a drink called "qatarmizat", made with sugarcane juice and lemon juice. This was a valuable trade item, and was even recorded on the tomb walls of pharaohs. It was only many centuries later that lemonade made its way to Europe, where it became a popular street drink in Paris in the 17th century. This was sold from backpacks by vendors known as “limonadiers”. From there, lemonade has traveled worldwide and evolved into the refreshing, sweet, and tangy beverage that we enjoy today. So next time you take a sip of your homemade lemonade, remember that you're partaking in a drink with a rich and ancient history.

Disclaimer: This recipe was not created by humans and we cannot ensure that it will turn out as expected. We do not guarantee or take any liability for the accuracy of this recipe (including steps, ingredients, nutritional information, and all sections on this page). You should check to make sure you are not allergic to any ingredients and take safety precautions while making this. The images on this page are generated by AI and may not accurately represent the result of making this recipe.