This post contains affiliate links.
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.
Text me new recipe ideas!
Simple, tasty ideas sent once a week. No spam.
Follow Me
*I originally shared this recipe May 2015. Updated April 2019, May 2022 and June 2026.
Wonder if can use instead of sugar some stevia. Would it be the same amount
Yes
I used this to make the syrup for a classic MPls golf course drink “Bootleg”. 1 part lemon & lime simple syrup, 2 parts gin or vodka, mint to taste and blend. Pour over ice and add 6-9 oz lime bubbly water.
I make scratch lemonade a few times every year. Usually we just wing it and do a bunch of trial and error. I figured we’d try a recipe to save time. This was much too sweet for our family. We added additional water to dilute it. Next time I’ll cut the sugar by about a 1/3 because I prefer a stronger lemon to sugar ratio.
I love this recipe I made it for my family and they love the taste.
This is the 4th time I’ve made this LEMONADE. My husband and I love it. I’ve used home grown lemons. Thx a bunch😊
This recipe was just the right amount of sugar for me and my family…we love it! I add fresh mint leaves to my glass…Perfection…Thank you for sharing.
Delicious! However, I used half sugar and half honey.
This was way too sweet for my taste, I wish I had added half the amount of simple syrup in the first time but unfortunately poured the entire thing in.
The great thing about this recipe is you can make it as sweet as you want. If it’s too sweet, simply add more water.
I added instead of 2 cups I added one cup
i have a family of 6 and boy do we love this recipe with the hot whether coming this will be a go to drink
Can’t wait to try! One question, can I use cane sugar ?
yes you can ive done it before it tastes the same