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This Homemade Lemonade recipe is the only one you'll ever need; made with just 3 simple ingredients and ready in minutes. Fresh-squeezed lemons and a quick simple syrup make it not too sweet and way better than anything from a store or mix.
Homemade Lemonade Happening All Summer Long!
Homemade lemonade has been a staple in our house every summer for years, and once you taste how good the real thing is, there's no going back. Fresh lemons, sugar, and water – that's genuinely all it takes to make a drink that's bright, refreshing, and perfectly sweet. I started making this because I wanted something better than the powdered stuff, and it's now the most-requested drink at every BBQ and pool day we host. It's one of those recipes that sounds too simple to be special, but that's exactly what makes it so good.
Bonus, if you make a double or triple batch, you can freeze the extra (before adding water) and have fresh lemonade anytime you want without any work!
Don't miss my other drink recipes, like Homemade Chocolate Milk, Boba Smoothie, Frozen Hot Chocolate, Oreo Milkshake, or Orange Julius!
How to make Lemonade:
Make Simple Syrup: Combine sugar and 2 cups of water in a saucepan. Bring to a simmer and stir until sugar is dissolved. Remove from heat and let it cool to room temperature. (Simple syrup can be made well in advance!)
Juice Lemons: Make sure the lemons are at room temperature before juicing (they will squeeze better). I try to choose juicy ones at the store, but if they are hard I like to press and roll them on the counter for a few seconds to allow some juices to release. After juicing the lemons, strain the lemon juice through a fine mesh strainer into a pitcher.
Combine: Pour the syrup with the lemon juice and add water to taste, until you reach your desired lemonade sweetness. Serve cold, over ice. If you love this lemonade, try my Strawberry Lemonade too!
Pro Tips:
- How to Choose Juicy Lemons: When choosing lemons from the grocery store, look for lemons that are tender to the touch, indicating they are juicy. If you pick up two lemons that are about the same size, the one that is heavier will be juicier.
- How to Juice Lemons: Make sure the lemons are at room temperature before you try and squeeze the juice from them. If using a handheld juicer, like this one, or this, place the lemon inside with the cut-side facing down. You may also use a fork to juice lemons. The tines of the fork and the bent edge of the fork can be used to work your way around the inner flesh of the fruit to get all of the juice out.
Homemade Lemonade Recipe
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 1 1/2 cups fresh lemon juice, , about 6-8 lemons
- 4 ½ – 5 cups water, , divided
Instructions
- Combine sugar and 2 cups water in a saucepan over medium heat. Bring to a boil and stir until sugar has dissolved. Remove from heat and cool to room temperature.2 cups granulated sugar
- Strain the lemon juice through a fine-mesh sieve into a 2-quart pitcher. Add simple syrup and stir to combine. Refrigerate until cold.1 ½ cups fresh lemon juice
- When ready to serve, add 2 ½ cups of cold water and stir. Taste, and add more water if it's too sweet. Serve over ice, if desired.4 ½ – 5 cups water
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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*I originally shared this recipe May 2015. Updated April 2019, May 2022 and June 2026.
Can’t wait to make this, during Pandemic days I have been trying new recipes! I wanted lemon aid, I have a can in the freezer, but was curious as to a recipe from scratch. We are coming on Spring/Summer now and want to be prepared with a great thirst quencher, other than soda! I am always happy with refrigerated spring water, we have a well and softened water, the amount of salt bothers me. Thank you for posting this recipe.
I love this lemonade! It’s sweet and tart. I prefer my lemonade on the sweeter side so this was perfect for me.
I would put less sugar, it was a bit sweeter than my liking. Otherwise thumbs up!
It was a bit sweeter than i like. I added more water which fixed the problem. Otherwise it was delish!
This recipe was good but the instructions were a bit unclear. My lazy self -laughs- had to scroll to the bottom to see how much sugar to use (2 cups) But overall pretty good! My son loved it but my daughter had diarrhea. She has a sensitive tummy like my one of my husbands! Oh, Phil! Anyway, love this recipe recommend.
Best lemonade yet! Just making second batch. Next is orange Julius. Thank you
It was so simple and great tastings lemonade. They say life gives you lemons make lemonade!! I would add a little lemon juice concentrate (from a bottle) to mine. I used 8 lemons to make it very flavorful ! Also I love u can freeze some and have it on stand by for a quick refreshing drink
Great recipe. Easy to follow and so refreshing. Thank you for this!!!
Deliciously refreshing on a hot summer day!
Incredible recipe!! Highly reccomend. I made this lemonade to make lavender-lemonade slushies. I boiled 1-2 tablespoons of culinary lavender in 3-4 cups of water and put it in ice cube trays in the freezer. When it is frozen, I’m going to put those ice cubes and the lemonade in the blender! Can’t wait!