Easy homemade lemonade recipe that is lightly sweetened with sugar or honey and made with freshly squeezed lemons. Celebrate the warmer weather with a refreshing glass of this Lemonade!
Nothing screams summer more than homemade lemonade on a hot summer day. This three-ingredient lemonade comprises of fresh lemon juice, water and sugar.
Even though we are adding sugar to this homemade lemonade, it is still healthier than its store-bought counterparts. Store-bought lemonades often have a VERY high amount of sugar and ARTIFICIAL COLORS which make them bad for you. When making it at home, you can have control over how much sugar you are actually consuming.
What is Lemonade?
Lemonade is a drink made with water, lemons or lemon juice, and sugar OR honey OR any sugar substitute of choice.
Is Lemonade Healthy For You?
Lemons contain a high amount of vitamin C, soluble fiber, and plant compounds that give them a number of health benefits. Lemons may aid weight loss and reduce your risk of heart disease, anemia, kidney stones, digestive issues, and cancer.
Vitamin C is an antioxidant that may help prevent free radicals from causing cell damage that can lead to cancer.
To make this Lemonade drink healthier, substitute sugar with Honey or Stevia.
The Best Lemons To Use
The best lemons are large lemons that lightly give in to gentle pressure. Avoid lemons that are still green as they are not ripe and wont yield much juice.
Also, avoid lemons with hard skin as they normally have less juice.
What goes in a Homemade Lemonade?
- Lemons
- Sugar or Honey
- Water
- Lime for garnishing (Optional)
- Ice cubes (optional)
How To Make Homemade Lemonade With Simple Syrup.
Making this homemade drink is so simple you might not believe it.
FIRST: over medium heat, bring water to a boil in a medium pot over.
SECOND: Add sugar and stir till the sugar dissolves. Turn off the heat and allow the mixture to cool down completely.
THIRD: Wash the lemons and press them between your palm and the counter. This is a trick to allow the lemons release all of their juices.
FOURTH: Cut the lemons into halves, and squeeze out the juice using a lemon squeezer. Use a strainer to remove any pulp from the juice.
FIFTH: Mix the cooled water-sugar solution and the fresh lemon juice in a big jar.
SIXTH: Add ice-cubes, stir well and serve.
How To Make Lemonade Without Simple Syrup
FIRST: Wash the lemons and press them between your palm and the counter. This is a trick to allow the lemons release all of their juices.
SECOND: Cut the lemons into halves, and squeeze out the juice using a lemon squeezer. Use a strainer to remove any pulp from the juice.
THIRD: In a pitcher combine 1 cup lemon juice, 1 cup sugar, and 6 cups cold water.
FOURTH: Stir till sugar is totally dissolved. Taste and adjust water to taste.
For a Sugar-Free Lemonade
Substitute sugar or honey with Stevia, Xylotol or Erythritol following the manufacturer’s recommended ratio.
At this point, I must mention that some sugar alcohols like Xylotol can cause gas and cramping or work like a laxative when they reach your colon. On that note, Stevia and Erythritol are better options.
How To Store Leftovers
Any leftover lemonade can be easily stored in the fridge. To store, pour in a tight container and store in the fridge for 24 to 48 hours.
How To Freeze Homemade Lemonade
If you are planning to make a big batch and store for a longer period, I would recommend making a lemonade concentrate, freezing that and diluting it with water whenever you are ready to drink.
To Make Lemonade Concentrate
FIRST: In a big mason jar, combine 1 cup lemon juice, 1 cup sugar, and 1 cup cold water.
SECOND: Shake vigorously till sugar is totally dissolved. Divide the concentrate in two Mason jars and seal tightly. Transfer to the freezer till ready to use.
THIRD: Alternatively, combine 1 cup of water and 1 cup of sugar in a small saucepan over medium heat till sugar is totally dissolved. Allow to cool and add 1 cup of fresh lemon juice before freezing.
The Mason jar should only be ¾ ways full with lemonade concentrate otherwise; it might crack since liquid expands when frozen.
To Thaw Lemonade Concentrate
Leave in the fridge overnight or on the kitchen countertop till fully thawed before diluting with 5 cups of cold water.
More Tips
- Use fresh lemon juices. Store-bought lemon juices will never taste as good as freshly squeezed.
- Roll the lemons between you palm and the kitchen countertop before cutting them for maximum juice.
- Avoid lemons that are still green or have hard skin since they produce less juice.
Also, check out these healthy homemade drinks:
PIN IT FOR LATER
Homemade Lemonade Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 cup Fresh lemon juice
- 1 cup Sugar or honey
- 6 cups Cold Water
- 1 Lime for garnishing Optional
- Ice cubes Optional
Instructions
HOW TO MAKE LEMONADE WITH SIMPLE SYRUP
- Over medium heat, bring water to a boil in a medium pot over.
- Add sugar and stir till the sugar dissolves. Turn off the heat and allow the mixture to cool down completely.
- Wash the lemons and press them between your palm and the counter. This is a trick to allow the lemons to release all of their juices.
- Cut the lemons into halves, and squeeze out the juice using a lemon squeezer. Use a strainer to remove any pulp from the juice.
- Mix the cooled water-sugar solution and the fresh lemon juice in a big jar.
- Add ice-cubes, stir well and serve.
HOW TO MAKE LEMONADE WITHOUT SIMPLE SYRUP
- Wash the lemons and press them between your palm and the counter. This is a trick to allow the lemons to release all of their juices.
- Cut the lemons into halves, and squeeze out the juice using a lemon squeezer. Use a strainer to remove any pulp from the juice.
- In a pitcher combine 1 cup lemon juice, 1 cup sugar, and 6 cups cold water.
- Stir till sugar is totally dissolved. Taste and adjust water to taste.
HOW TO MAKE LEMONADE CONCENTRATE
- In a big mason jar, combine 1 cup lemon juice, 1 cup sugar, and 1 cup cold water.
- Shake vigorously till sugar is totally dissolved. Divide the concentrate into two Mason jars and seal tightly. Transfer to the freezer till ready to use.
- Alternatively, combine 1 cup of water and 1 cup of sugar in a small saucepan over medium heat till sugar is totally dissolved. Allow to cool and add 1 cup of fresh lemon juice before freezing.
- To thaw Lemonade Concentrate, leave it in the fridge overnight or on the kitchen countertop till fully thawed before diluting with 5 cups cold water.
Notes
- Use fresh lemon juices. Store-bought lemon juices will never taste as good as freshly squeezed.
- Roll the lemons between your palm and the kitchen countertop before cutting them for maximum juice.
- Avoid lemons that are still green or have hard skin since they produce less juice.
If you love this homemade lemonade recipe, leave me a comment and STAR rating and share your thoughts. I would love to hear from you
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Seriously….such an easy recipe.
So refreshing and easy to make. Will be making it again.
Glad you loved it Briana and thanks for your feedback.
This was a huge hit with the whole family. Really fruity and refreshing. 10/10.
I am really honored. Have fun making some more and enjoy. Thanks so much for your feedback.
Wow!
What an easy to make recipe. What i love about it is that i can control sugar levels.
I was having trouble with what to make/drink in this hot weather but i think this provides the solution.
Thanks Jayne
You are so welcome, Aubrey. Make a batch and enjoy.