Here’s a simple, refreshing homemade lemonade recipe.
Classic Lemonade
Ingredients (serves 4–6):
- 1 cup fresh lemon juice (about 4–6 lemons)
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 5 cups cold water
- Ice cubes
- Lemon slices and fresh mint (optional, for garnish)
Instructions:
- In a small saucepan, combine 1 cup sugar and 1 cup water. Heat gently, stirring until the sugar dissolves. Let the syrup cool.
- Juice the lemons to make 1 cup of fresh lemon juice, removing any seeds.
- In a pitcher, combine the lemon juice, cooled syrup, and the remaining 4 cups cold water.
- Stir well and taste. Add more water if you prefer it less tart, or a little more sugar if you like it sweeter.
- Serve over ice and garnish with lemon slices and mint, if desired.
Variations
- Sparkling lemonade: Replace some of the water with chilled sparkling water just before serving.
- Strawberry lemonade: Blend 1 cup fresh strawberries and stir the purée into the lemonade.
- Mint lemonade: Muddle a handful of fresh mint leaves before adding the liquids.
- Honey lemonade: Substitute honey for the sugar syrup, adjusting to taste.
Chill the lemonade for at least 30 minutes before serving for the best flavor. 🍋
