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.
citygirl24
Don’t change a thing! It’s such an easy recipe to follow and the results are delicious. Perfect on this super warm Father’s Day. 😊
Lizzie
I didn’t heat anything and just threw it all in a bowl and stirred and it still tasted super good. Great recipe!
Maya
This lemonade recipe was the best yet!
Cleo
I trust the reviews!
If I want to make this hours before a party, do I refrigerate the simple syrup and mix it once I am ready to serve?
Sam
Hi Cleo! Is there a reason you don’t want to mix everything together several hours before your party? I’d recommend doing that, then the flavors can develop even more as everything chills in the fridge 🙂
Tame Howard
Tried this lemonade recipe today 4 Memorial Day. I made a double batch (so it made a gallon.) Thank goodness because everyone was able 2 have 1 glass each. (There were 11 of us). Only problem was that it left everyone wanting more. These lemons I bought were the largest lemons I have ever seen in my life & yet they were so very juicy. I had expected them 2 be dry & overgrown. But they worked out just fine. But due 2 their size, I had 2 cut each lemon into 1/8th pieces 2 make them fit into my handheld manual lemon juicer. But it was the perfect balance of Lemon, sugar, & water. Everyone raved about it over our grilled out food. I will make sure 2 make this exact recipe on every Summer Occasion. Such a big hit, thanks 4 sharing.
Loretta
Tried it today. Perfect!!!!!
Karen
Hi Sam. Again, thank you for this beyond fabulously easy, refreshing recipe. As I wrote before it is the best and only HM Lemonade recipe anyone ever needs. I wanted to share a thing I changes. I used to use 3/4 c pure cane sugar, sweet enough for us, but then I discovered Monk Fruit and now I have a purely delightful gmo-free ~ zero calorie, HM Lemonade. I just love you for sharing this best lemonade recipe in the whole world. You rocked this!
Isla
The best!
Emily @ Sugar Spun Run
Thanks for the review, Isla! Enjoy ☺️
JJ
We use the yellow painted Lemon squeezers until they started peeling their yellow paint and got tired of buying them and get the more expensive steel one and it’s never had a problem at all!
Jayne
Can you use sweetener instead of sugar?
Sam
Hi, Jayne! The amount may vary and the taste may vary, but it should work. ☺️
Kay-Ann
This is the PERFECT lemonade!! Thank you so much!! Will be sending this to my sisters 🙂
Libeth
Just finish making this and it is sooooo good!
CJ
Just made this today. It’s very good! Next time I will try for more tartness.
Sam
I’m so glad you enjoyed, CJ! thank you for trying my recipe!
Darlis Clark
I tried this today. It is very good. Thank you. Very easy to make.
Austin
Sooooooooooo good
Krista Cochran
How many lemons do you typically use?
Ezraella Carpenter
Its great in summer.
Carrie
I made this for a bridal shower yesterday. It was absolutely delicious. Rave reviews from everyone who had it. I added the simple syrup and lemon juice to a pitcher, then filled the rest of the way with water and ice. Garnished with lemon slices. So good!
Kristian
Nice and simple, and a hit with the kids! Just one minor thing though – it may be a matter of taste, but I would suggest starting with only 4 cups of water (+ the one for the syrup), and then adding more to taste. The first attempt came out tasting just a little ‘watered-down’ for my liking.
Judy Brown
It was 8 degrees this morning here in maine and I still decided to make your lemonade. I needed to put some lemon zest in my freezer so I only had 2 lemons to use. I got 1/2 cup of juice out of them so I made 1/2 a batch. Lemonade is easy to make but making the simple syrup made it even easier to mix- no sugar in the bottom of the jar!