Summer is coming up fast and what better way to cool off than making homemade lemonade? Oh, I know…those ready-made drinks are easy. But making this fresh squeezed lemonade recipe is easy too. Plus, you only need 4 ingredients that you can actually pronounce to make it. Wholesome and fresh, my kids love it when I have this ice-cold homemade lemonade recipe waiting for them on a hot day.
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Best Lemonade Recipe
What makes the best lemonade? Real lemons. Seriously, if you’re buying that stuff at the store in those jugs or that frozen concentrate, what are you buying? I know, I did the same thing myself. I thought it was because the lemonade drink I made didn’t taste like it, but now I know the secret to the best lemonade and am sharing it with you!
Easy Lemonade Recipe
What could be easier than 4 ingredients? Exactly! You know what you’re getting. It only takes a little time to make the simple syrup, let it cool, and then put it together for the best lemonade from lemon juice in town!
Lemonade Ingredients
- Fresh squeezed lemon juice – Making a fresh homemade lemonade recipe with lemons is the only way. It will take about 5 or 6 lemons to get the required amount for this recipe.
- Cold water – This dilutes your lemon mixture for balance.
- Simple syrup – Made with a cup of water and a cup and ¼ of white sugar, this is the secret to getting that perfect pitcher of fresh lemonade!
How do you Make Lemonade from Scratch
- Making this simple lemonade recipe is quick and easy.
- You’ll first make a simple syrup out of sugar and water on the stove top.
- As that dissolves together, you’ll juice your lemons.
- When the sugar dissolves, you’ll let that simple syrup cool.
- Then you’ll combine it all together in a pitcher and refrigerate for 45 minutes.
- Refreshment awaits!
When life gives you lemons, make lemonade.
Anonymous
Expert Tips and Tricks for the Perfect Lemonade Every Time
- Pick good lemons. When making this lemonade recipe with lemon juice, instead of getting a bag of lemons, choose your own. Squeeze them gently to feel for a little bit of give and skin that isn’t too thick. The color should be bright and they should smell fragrant.
- Don’t skip making simple syrup. This was a mistake I made when I first tried to make homemade lemonade. You wind up with sugar at the bottom and a sour drink. The simple syrup ensures your sweetness gets mixed through the entire pitcher when you make lemonade with lemon juice.
- Feel free to garnish. If you’re setting up an alfresco dining table, a sprig of lavender or rosemary looks really pretty in the glass!
How many lemons do you need to make a pitcher of lemonade?
Depending on the size of the lemons you choose, it should take about 5 or 6 lemons to give you the juice you need to make one pitcher of lemonade.
What is the best ratio of lemons to sugar for lemonade?
In this fresh lemonade recipe, you’ll see that the best ratio is 1 ¼ cup of white granulated sugar to roughly 5 lemons. This will give you the right balance in all the flavors for your best lemonade.
Is lemonade and lemon juice the same thing?
No, lemon juice is simply the juice you squeeze from lemons. It’s very sour. Lemonade has water added as well as sweetener to tamper down the sour flavors from the lemons.
Is it cheaper to make your own lemonade?
Yes, it’s cheaper to make lemonade yourself rather than buy it ready-made. Plus, you’re eliminating additives that you’d get from those store-bought brands.
Is drinking homemade lemonade good for you?
Homemade lemonade is a far better choice over sodas and those packaged drinks. However, because it has sugar in it, you should always watch out not to have too much.
Does lemonade hydrate you?
Lemonade is great for hydration. Sour flavors stimulate your saliva production plus the water that lemonade is made with helps keep you hydrated. No wonder it’s such a popular summer drink!
What goes well with Lemonade
Any type of barbecue or grilled foods go well with lemonade. Picnic foods, burgers, sandwiches, fresh fish and shrimp, and spicy foods are all perfect to pair with lemonade.
What can I add to lemonade to make it better?
Lemonade made from fresh ingredients is as good as it gets. You can infuse it with herbs though like rosemary, basil, or lavender to give it a unique twist. Adding other fresh fruits is fun to experiment with too.
How to Store Lemonade
Lemonade needs to be kept in the fridge. It’s not that it will go bad if you leave it out, not right away anyway, but it tastes best chilled. The fridge will keep it fresh and cold.
How Long Does Homemade Lemonade Last?
When you make this lemonade, it will be good for about a week in your fridge. If you want to make a bigger batch, I recommend you freeze it.
Can You Freeze Lemonade?
Yes, you can freeze it just fine. I like putting it in freezer storage bags to lay flat in the freezer. My family drinks so much lemonade in the summer, this saves me loads of time!
How to Thaw Lemonade?
All you need to do is put it in the fridge to thaw out. Do it the night before a big party and you won’t have anything to worry about.
