How to Make Homemade Lemonade Recipe

Since you are here, you have to try out my Trendy Tiktok Creamy Lemonade Recipe, this Starbucks Peach Green Tea, this Easy Summer Matcha Lemonade, this Frozen Strawberry Lemonade, as well as this delicious Chick Fil A Frosted Lemonade Recipe!

There’s nothing that screams summer like a tall glass of icy lemonade, especially when it’s made from scratch and bursting with real lemon flavor. Sure, you can buy lemonade at the store, but it will never taste as good as the one that you make at home. Fresh lemons, your sugar of choice, water, and ice, and you’re done! Simple ingredients that yield big flavors that are sure to impress.

I personally love making this specific recipe because I find that adding the lemon peel or zest to the fresh lemon juice simple syrup adds a lot more flavor. However, depending on your preference, you can skip this step to save a little time. I have tried both methods, and both are delicious. My method adds a little extra zing to this drink!

Ingredients you’ll need to make a homemade lemonade recipe

Here are the ingredients you will need to make the best homemade lemonade ever! Make sure to scroll down to the recipe card for the full detailed ingredient measurements. 

• Real lemons- Using fresh lemons will take your lemonades to the NEXT LEVEL! You might become the designated lemonade maker at every get-together, though, so keep that in mind! I love using this lemon juicer to make the job easier!
• Sugar-  You can use either regular white granulated sugar or even monk fruit for a low-calorie drink!
• Water- Use filtered water for the best lemonade flavor.
• Ice Cubes- You can use either fresh, homemade ice or store-bought ice to avoid the freezer aftertaste. 
• A pinch of salt- This is totally optional, but adding a tiny bit of salt to your warm simple syrup will help balance out the sweetness of the drink. 

How to Make Homemade Lemonade with Fresh Lemons

This is how you can make this simple recipe. Make sure to scroll down to the recipe card for the full detailed instructions! 

• Peel 3-4 lemons before juicing. Make sure you only get the yellow lemon zest, not the white part, otherwise it will dim the sweet flavor of our lemonade and make it more bitter.
• In a medium or small saucepan, add the lemon peels, the sugar, and the freshly squeezed lemon juice. 

• Cook over medium heat on the stove, stirring frequently, until the sugar dissolves. Remove it from the heat and allow it to cool down fully. 
• Once the lemon sugar mixture is cooled completely, strain it into a large pitcher, discard the peels, and top it with cold water. 
• Top it with slices of lemon and ice. Stir well and serve. Decorate with a fresh sprig of mint!

Expert Tips for the Best Fresh Lemonade Every Time

• Use fresh lemons! I know bottled lemon juice sounds convenient, but you don’t want that chemical aftertaste that’s in bottled juices to overpower your drink!
• Add your lemon zest to the simple syrup! This will add a deeper and more complex flavor to your fresh lemonade. 
• Allow the sugar syrup to cool down completely before adding the water and ice. If you use it while still hot, you might dilute your lemonade too much. 
• For the best flavor, taste, and adjust the water amount to your liking. 

Why should you learn how to make homemade lemonade?

• It only uses 3 ingredients as opposed to the store-bought lemonades that are full of fillers. 
• Allows you to adjust the taste to your liking with both sweetness and tartness.
• It’s the perfect drink to enjoy on a hot summer day. 
• You can turn it into one of the most delicious cocktails! Add a little less water and replace that with tequila or vodka for the adults!

Frequently asked questions – FAQ

How Many Lemons do I need for 1 cup of juice?

You will need about 5-6 medium lemons to get 1 cup of juice. 

Storage Tips for Old-Fashioned Lemonade

• Refrigerator: Place the lemonade in a large airtight container or just wrap the top of the pitcher with plastic wrap and store in the fridge without ice for up to 7 days. 
• Freezer: Pour your lemonade in gallon ziplock bags or pour it into Souper Cube silicone trays and freeze for up to 3 months. Just thaw in a pitcher or in the bag when ready to serve. 

How to make homemade lemonade with different Flavor Variations

• Strawberry Pink Lemonade: Blend 1 cup fresh strawberries and stir it into the cooled syrup. You can do the same with raspberries, just make sure to strain the seeds well.
• Mint Lemonade: Add a handful of fresh mint leaves to the hot syrup, let it steep for a bit, then strain.
• Sparkling Lemonade: Replace some of the water with chilled club soda for a bubbly version. 
• Basil Lemond: Add a handful of basil leaves to the hot syrup, let it steep for a bit, then strain.

Can I use bottled lemon juice?

You can, but I prefer using fresh lemons to avoid that weird aftertaste that comes with some bottled lemon juices. 

Can I use honey or maple syrup in this recipe?

It will taste a little different but you can definitely use either. Add about ⅓-1/2 cup of either into the room temperature water or lemon and stir to dissolve. Continue making the lemonade as you would the regular lemonade. Taste and adjust the sweetness to your liking. 

Old-Fashioned Lemonade Recipe You’ll Make All Summer