Make the best summer drink with this easy homemade lemonade recipe. You get the perfect sweet and tangy balance using fresh lemons and a simple syrup method.
Author:Ahazzam
Prep Time:15 min
Cook Time:5 min
Total Time:20 min
Yield:About 8 servings
Category:Beverage
Method:Mixing
Cuisine:American
Diet:Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
2 cups fresh lemon juice (about 8-10 large lemons)
2 cups granulated sugar
2 cups water (for simple syrup)
4 cups cold water (for mixing)
Ice and lemon slices for serving
Instructions
Make the simple syrup: Combine the 2 cups of sugar and 2 cups of water in a small saucepan. Heat over medium heat, stirring until the sugar completely dissolves. Do not boil. Remove from heat and let the syrup cool completely.
Squeeze your lemons to yield 2 cups of fresh lemon juice. Strain the juice to remove pulp and seeds.
In a large pitcher, combine the cooled simple syrup and the 2 cups of fresh lemon juice. Stir well.
Add the remaining 4 cups of cold water to the pitcher and stir everything together. This is your classic lemonade base.
Taste the lemonade. If you prefer it sweeter, add a little more simple syrup (if you have extra). If you prefer it tarter, add a splash more lemon juice.
Chill the lemonade in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before serving. Serve over plenty of ice with fresh lemon slices for a truly refreshing summer drink.
Notes
For a natural pink lemonade variation, add 1/4 cup of pure cranberry juice or a few muddled raspberries to the pitcher.
If you are making lemonade for a crowd, simply double or triple the recipe proportions.
This recipe uses a homemade syrup for the best flavor, which is key to a sweet and tangy lemonade.