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.
Alyssa
I love this recipe!! I am going to make it for a third time tomorrow! My family loves it! My sister tries to drink most of it!
Alyssa
So Good!
Jon
Completely agree a reliable recipe is needed for consistency! However, I must be missing it – how much water? Size of Pitcher?
Sam
You will need 6 cups of water and this recipe will yield 64oz of lemonade so a pitcher big enough to hold that. 🙂
Emmi
Looking forward to trying this staple pantry loving list drinkable lemonade from scratch. My question is;
Do you think adding a splash of lemon extract into the (simple syrup mixture) would bolster the lemony flavor?
Sam
Hi Emmi! As long as your lemons are nice and flavorful, there isn’t really a need to add any extract, but if you’d like to experiment I don’t think it can hurt. 🙂
Charlie
Simple and easy. Love it! Literally cannot go wrong with this recipe. Perfect amount of sweet and sour.
Emily @ Sugar Spun Run
Thanks for giving it a try, Charlie! 🥰
Yvette
Excellent recipe.
Found it when my Lemon tree gave a yield of 700 fruit last year and it has been my go to ever since. Beats the fizzy drinks I am prone to consuming and much more refreshing. Thank you for sharing.
Theoncereluctantcook
Great recipe (wouldn’t expect anything less though). Made with my toddler and was a fun way to engage them in cooking. ALSO – half a glass of this mixed with tonic water is a nice way to scratch a margarita itch while pregnant.
Emily @ Sugar Spun Run
Love that idea! Thanks for trying our recipe 🩷
cathyc
I have not made this recipe, but have made homemade lemonade often. I never throw out lemon juice. I keep it frozen in my freezer, adding small amounts when I have it and then when I have enough to make lemonade, I don’t have to spend a lot of money all at once. It is so, so much better than any mix. No comparison.
Avery
It was so easy to make!! Very impressed. This is my first time ever leaving a review on something and I’m glad it’s this. I love how it was easy to double, and I personally used just lemon juice from the store if you want an easier way. Loved it!
Sam
I’m so glad you enjoyed it so much, Avery! Thank you for taking the time to leave a review! 🙂
Roula
Best lemonade ever, thanks so much Sam!
Emily @ Sugar Spun Run
We’re so happy you like it, Roula! Thanks for the review 🥰
Dan
I’ve been making this the past few summers. I get multiple requests every year to make it for parties. I usually add a little strawberry syrup, frozen strawberries, and of course a bunch of vodka.
Emily @ Sugar Spun Run
Yum! Sounds tasty, Dan 😊 Thanks for the review!
Connie
I felt like a dummy looking up a recipe for lemonade, but really didn’t know what ratios to use. Never has lemonade tasted this good, thank you! Soooo much better than store bought which I always find too sweet.
Emily @ Sugar Spun Run
We’re so happy you found our recipe, Connie! It really does taste so much better homemade 🩷
Kirstin
We just made this today for my kids’ lemonade stand and jt was perfect! Thank you so much!
Emily @ Sugar Spun Run
We’re so happy you used our recipe, Kirstin! Hopefully you had lots of thirsty customers 😊
Ashley Bennett
Exceptional! I had a few tiny limes needing to be used and squeezed them right on with my lemon juice. Perfect recipe!
Emily @ Sugar Spun Run
Yum! Sounds tasty, Ashley. We’re so happy you enjoyed it!
Sofia
Excellent recipe, super easy to make! I made this with my little brother and he loved it.
Emily @ Sugar Spun Run
Thanks for using our recipe, Sofia! Enjoy ☺️