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For a refreshing old-fashioned lemonade for your picnic, summer gatherings, or just to have, look no further! It is quick, delicious, and a summer crowd pleaser! This recipe is foolproof and only requires 3 ingredients. Garnish this classic with some berries for a patriotic flair on memorial day or the fourth of July!
When it comes to homemade lemonade, you control how much sugar is in there. Most bottled and carton lemonade contains a massive amount of sugar. Some people prefer not overly sweet or slightly bitter lemonade, that’s why it’s best to adjust the simple syrup quantity to your preference. With any simple syrup, you want the same ratio of ingredients. I used 1 cup of sugar and 1 cup of water to create the simple syrup. If you want to lessen the amount of syrup, you can decrease the amount of sugar and water. Just be sure it’s a 1:1 ratio.
How to make Homemade Lemonade
All you need is 3 ingredients. This lemonade takes no time at all to make and is easily enjoyed on the same day!
- Lemons: You will need a bunch of lemons
- White Sugar
- Water
In a small saucepot, combine sugar and water then bring to a boil. It is important that you do not overboil this. It will cause the sugar to start caramelizing and will turn a golden hue. Reduce to a simmer and cook for 3-4 minutes, or until the sugar is dissolved. Remove from the heat and allow it to cool completely. Juice the lemons, then in a pitcher, combine the lemon juice, water, and simple syrup. Stir and refrigerate until it’s chilled. Enjoy over some ice and with extra lemon slices!
Tips & FAQs
- Can I make this sugar-free? It’s easy to replace the sugar with a substitute. It’s also healthier too if you are using a natural sweetener. If you are doing this sugar-free, then I would not make a simple syrup. Instead, just mix together the substitute with the lemon juice. Substitutes can be honey, stevia, or monk fruit extract!
- Roll each lemon with the palm of your hand, pressing down as you do. The juice will come out easier, and you won’t have to squeeze as hard.
- Adjust the quantity of simple syrup if you want a more bitter/sweet lemonade. If you choose to alter the simple syrup recipe, be sure you combine the sugar and water in a 1:1 ratio. For example, 1/2 cup of water combined with 1/2 sugar. 1 cup of water to 1 cup of sugar. So on and so forth.
- Add some berries and mint. You can also make a syrup with your berry of choice to create a flavored lemonade. My favorite is strawberry! Just simmer the berries and sugar until a syrupy consistency is created. Let it cool before adding the syrup to the lemon juice and water!
- Use freshly squeezed lemon juice from real lemons, not store-bought bottled lemon juice. Bottled lemon juice doesn’t taste as good as lemon juice from fresh lemons. It usually has some things added to it and the flavor of the juice is as bright as freshly squeezed juice. It’s definitely better to make your homemade lemonade with real lemons.
- When purchasing lemons, choose large ones that give gentle pressure; avoid lemons that still have some green spots. Hard lemons have thicker skin and yield less juice.
- Use Meyer lemons if you can find them. They are sweeter and juicier than other lemon varieties. They make an amazing lemonade with a delicious sweet flavor. They are usually in season in the winter and spring months.
Want the recipe? Click print below! Let me know how it came out for you by tagging me on Instagram (@missravenskitchen) and using #missravenskitchen! Follow my Facebook page for updates as well! Let me know if I need to tweak anything.
Homemade Lemonade
Ingredients
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 1/2 cups fresh lemon juice (from about 10 lemons)
- 5 cups water, separated
Instructions
- In a small saucepan, combine sugar and 1 cup of water; bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer until the sugar dissolves, 3 to 4 minutes. Remove from heat and cool completely.
- In a large pitcher, combine lemon juice, sugar syrup (add to your liking until it reaches the sweetness you want), and 4 cups of cold water. Refrigerate until chilled.
Notes
*You can also make a syrup with your berry of choice to create a flavored lemonade.
** It’s easy to replace the sugar with a substitute. It’s also healthier too if you are using a natural sweetener. If you are doing this sugar-free, then I would not make a simple syrup. Instead, just mix together the substitute with the lemon juice. Substitutes can be honey, stevia, or monk fruit extract!
Nutrition Facts
Calories
121.5Fat (grams)
0.22Sat. Fat (grams)
0.02Carbs (grams)
32.07Fiber (grams)
0.16Net carbs
31.91Sugar (grams)
29.83Protein (grams)
0.18Sodium (milligrams)
9.26Cholesterol (grams)
0I did my best to research! Let me know if these are correct!
Miss Raven's Kitchen 
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