The Best Homemade Lemonade Recipe
This homemade lemonade recipe is fresh, sweet, tart, and easy to make with simple syrup and fresh-squeezed lemons! It's a refreshing summer drink perfect for kids, parties, picnics, and backyard barbecues.
Servings 6
Equipment
- 1 cup fresh lemon juice, from about 5–6 lemons1 cup granulated sugar1 cup water, for simple syrup4–5 cups cold waterIce, for servingLemon slices, for garnish
Ingredients
- 1 cup fresh lemon juice from about 5–6 lemons
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup water for simple syrup
- 4-5 cups cold water
- Ice for serving
- Lemon slices for garnish
Optional Add-Ins
- Fresh mint
- Strawberries or raspberries
- Sparkling water
Instructions
- In a small saucepan, combine 1 cup sugar and 1 cup water. Heat over medium heat, stirring until the sugar is completely dissolved. Remove from heat and let cool slightly.
- While the simple syrup cools, juice the lemons until you have 1 cup fresh lemon juice. Strain out seeds and excess pulp if desired.
- In a large pitcher, combine the lemon juice and simple syrup. Add 4 cups cold water and stir well. Taste and add more water if you prefer a lighter lemonade.
- Refrigerate until cold, or serve immediately over ice. Garnish with lemon slices and fresh mint if desired.
