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The Best Classic Homemade Lemonade Recipe

A tall glass filled with ice and homemade lemonade, garnished with a bright lemon slice.

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Make this easy, fresh squeezed lemonade using a simple 3-ingredient syrup method. It is the ultimate thirst quencher for summer gatherings and BBQs.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 cup fresh lemon juice (about 46 lemons)
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 4 cups cold water
  • Ice for serving

Instructions

  1. Make the simple syrup: Combine the sugar and 1 cup of water in a small saucepan. Heat over medium heat, stirring until the sugar completely dissolves. Do not boil. Remove from heat and let it cool completely.
  2. Combine ingredients: In a large pitcher, mix the cooled simple syrup, the fresh lemon juice, and the remaining 3 cups of cold water.
  3. Taste and adjust: Taste the mixture. If you prefer it sweeter, add a little more sugar dissolved in a small amount of hot water. If you prefer it tarter, add a splash more lemon juice.
  4. Chill: Refrigerate the lemonade for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to blend.
  5. Serve: Serve the classic lemonade over ice. Garnish glasses with lemon slices for a bright presentation.

Notes

  • For lemonade for a crowd, double or triple this recipe, adjusting the water volume as needed for your pitcher size.
  • To make pink lemonade, add 1/4 cup of cranberry juice or a few drops of natural red food coloring to the mixture.
  • For peach lemonade, muddle 1/2 cup of fresh peach slices into the simple syrup while it cools.

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