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.
Emily
Forgot to rate, sorry!
Emily
I’ve made this before and it is great! I have a question – I’ve volunteered to make a whole load of lemonade for a school event, so want to do some prep if possible. Would it affect the lemonade to squeeze and then freeze the fresh lemon juice?
Thanks
Emily
Sam
I’m so glad you’ve enjoyed it, Emily! I suppose you could freeze the squeezed lemon juice. I hope everyone loves it! 🙂
Emily Cummings
Thanks for your response! I did end up freezing it, and taste-wise it was just the same great taste and everyone enjoyed it. I froze it in silicon large ‘soup cube’ trays.
However I made the mistake of thinking to defrost it back to liquid before combining, and that made a big mess! So next time, I will freeze it, but then just use the frozen cubes right into the warm simple syrup and let it all melt and combine.
Thanks again!
Sam
Thank you for the feedback! 🙂
M
Way too sweet. Add sugar to lemon mixture slowly. I would have preferred maybe half.
Heather
Ofcourse, most people do it that way the first time they make a recipe such as this.. Everything is sweetened to taste,or to your preference…. So try doing it the way you suggested anytime you try a new recipe that involves sweetening. Just food for thought!
Jene
Yummy 😋 😋😋😋😋😋😋😋😋😋😋😋😋😉
Mrs Maria Theodoulou
can I make your homemade lemonade recipe using Stevia instead of sugar and what would be the proportion, Stevia to lemon juice .
Thank you
Maria
I am awaiting a reply to my request if I can add Stevia instead of sugar for your homemade lemonade recipe and what proportion of Stevia to water/lemon juice
Emily @ Sugar Spun Run
Unfortunately we haven’t made this recipe with Stevia, so we aren’t sure how much you would need to add ☹️
Debbie
I used 3/4 cup Splenda, but just added it to the water and lemon juice mixture. Tasted good. There is a different taste but I’m a diabetic so use Splenda a lot.
Laura
Great! Easy! We had a bumper crop of lemons from our tree so this is wonderful. Thanks.
Emily @ Sugar Spun Run
Lucky you! We’re so happy you enjoyed it, Laura 😊
Lisa
Love this recipe! Thanks for sharing! I want to drink the whole half gallon it makes.
Aubree
This tasted perfect!
Ashley
sounds great. what would the measurements be if i want to make a whole pitcher?
Sam
Hi Ashley! This will make 64 oz so you can adjust it to fill your pitcher. 🙂
Dana
Absolutely Delicious 😋😋😋
Ava Siemens
Way too sweet for our tastes but I liked how warming up part of it to dissolve the sugar made for way less stirring and no crystals at the bottom 😊 Not sure why this never occurred to me to do before! thanks!
Courtney
My 7 year old is ADDICTED to this. I ran out of lemon juice at the 1/2c mark, substituted lime for the rest, and now she won’t drink it any other way.
Christine
Easy & delicious! Perfect ratios!