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.
Nancy
I’m a sweet-tooth, but this was a bit too sweet & not tart enough, and I only added 5 cups water (including the 1 cup with sugar). Tasted it after 5 cups & thought NO more water! It’s a bit sweet, but I could add more lemon juice. It’s tasty & refreshing, so fresh.
Emily @ Sugar Spun Run
Hi Nancy! The lemonade was probably too sweet because that final cup of water was omitted. And yes, you can definitely add more lemon juice if your lemons aren’t tart enough! We’re happy you enjoyed it 😊
Olivia
Oh my gosh! This lemonade is probably the best lemonade I have ever tasted.
Sofia
I did the juice of 7 lemons (1 1/4 cups), a little over 5 cups of water, and about 3/4 of the syrup because I prefer my lemonade more sour! It was excellent thank you for the recipe 🙂
Sam
You’re welcome! I’m so glad you enjoyed it! 🙂
Colleen
Hi Sam, I was wondering if you could use seltzer water in place of some or all of the water to give it some sparkle?
Emily @ Sugar Spun Run
Hi Colleen! We haven’t tried it this way, but we think it should work 😊
Linda R.
This is the first recipe that actually shows the VIDEO and a link on my Mac computer! I’m over the moon now that I don’t have to search your website to add the video link to my recipe.
By the way, I LOVE your videos!
Sam
Thank you so much, Linda! I’m glad everything worked for you. 🙂
Michelle
Do you know if I can sub stevia for the sugar and 100% pure lemon juice for the fresh squeezed to make this? I LOVE Lemonade, but I can’t have refined sugar and lemons are hard to come by in my neck of the woods!
Emily @ Sugar Spun Run
Hi Michelle! We aren’t sure how to substitute the stevia, but the bottled lemon juice will work fine here. Hope you love it!
Sabine
There is an equivalent chart on the internet…just type in stevia equals how much granulated sugar and vice versa. Hope this helps all who need it.
Court
The best I have found definitely will make again
Londyn Turley
I love it so much!!! So good!!
Kim
Way too sweet for my liking. I had to almost double the lemon juice and water to get the sweet down. I also added heavy on the lemon juice. It was a good starter and I was able to tweak it to my taste. We have a lemon tree here at out new place and I love me some lemonade.
Camille Pharr
Absolutely the best lemonade I’ve ever tasted in my whole 41 yrs!
I’ll be sharing this all of my friends!!
Thank you so much for sharing!
Emily @ Sugar Spun Run
We are SO happy you loved it, Camille! Thanks for taking a chance on our recipe ❤️
Natasha
Can we kerp it 1 week in fridge or no after 2 days it will be no good?
Txs
Sam
Hi Natasha! This should be good for about a week in the refrigerator, if it lasts that long. 😉
Chris
So easy and refreshing. This is definitely a summer hit!
Emily @ Sugar Spun Run
So glad you liked it, Chris! Thanks for commenting ❤️
Ana Redondo
Amazing!! Just got done making this and I am obsessed. Thank you for sharing this recipe.
Lourdes Caamano
Amazing lemonade recipe. I made it yesterday, great to cull down by the pool in this heat.
Emily @ Sugar Spun Run
Love that idea, Lourdes! Stay cool! ❄
Lisa
How many servings does this make
Sam
Hi Lisa! It makes 8 – 8 oz servings. This info is typically in the purple box right above the video. 🙂
Dewayne
Used in my frozen Lemonade this year. New favorite just half the water with ice in a large plender desind for slushy or a nutribulliet. Great recipe.
Emily @ Sugar Spun Run
Yum! We love that idea, Dewayne 😋
Irene71
We just finished making the lemonade. We did not use the water-and-sugar syrup, and it’s worthy of “53 stars” according to my little granddaughter. My grandkids and I are sitting on my back porch, drinkin’ some of this lemonade. Thanks for the recipe!!
Sam
🤣 I’m so glad everyone enjoyed it so much! 🙂
Ryan
Amazing lemonade! Probably best I’ve ever tried.
Emily @ Sugar Spun Run
We love hearing that, Ryan! Thanks for giving our recipe a try 🙂
Aaliyah
I used lemon juice from the bootle and it came out so good love this can you make a raspberry lemonade or do you have raspberry lemonade
Emily @ Sugar Spun Run
You can always follow our strawberry lemonade recipe and use raspberries instead 🥰
Lesley Olbrys
Delicious! I made this with fresh lemons and monk fruit sweetener and it came out perfect.
Emily @ Sugar Spun Run
Wonderful! Thanks for using our recipe, Lesley 😊