Classic Old-Fashioned Lemonade
A simple, refreshing homemade lemonade recipe that balances tart and sweet flavors perfectly, ideal for summer gatherings and everyday refreshment.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 6-8 servings 1x
- Category: Beverage
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 6–8 medium fresh lemons (yields about 1 cup or 240 ml lemon juice)
- 1 cup (200 g) granulated sugar
- 5 cups (1.2 liters) water, divided (1 cup hot water, 4 cups cold water)
- Ice cubes (for serving)
- Optional: fresh mint leaves or thin lemon slices for garnish
Instructions
- Make the simple syrup by combining 1 cup granulated sugar with 1 cup hot water in a small saucepan or heatproof bowl. Stir until sugar dissolves completely (about 2-3 minutes).
- Let the syrup cool to room temperature, optionally speeding cooling with a cold water bath but avoid refrigerating directly.
- Roll lemons on the counter, cut in half, and juice until you have about 1 cup fresh lemon juice. Strain to remove seeds if desired.
- In a large pitcher, combine the cooled simple syrup, fresh lemon juice, and 4 cups cold water. Stir gently but thoroughly.
- Taste and adjust sweetness or tartness by adding more lemon juice, sugar, or cold water as needed.
- Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to let flavors meld.
- Serve over ice cubes, garnished with lemon slices or mint if desired.
Notes
Use fresh lemons for best flavor; dissolve sugar in hot water to avoid graininess; adjust sweetness gradually; chill before serving; lemonade is best consumed within 2 days; for sparkling lemonade, replace half the cold water with chilled sparkling water just before serving.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup (about 8 fl oz
- Calories: 120
- Sugar: 30
- Sodium: 2
- Carbohydrates: 31
- Fiber: 0.2
Keywords: lemonade, classic lemonade, homemade lemonade, summer drink, refreshing beverage, old-fashioned lemonade