Name: Homemade Lemonade
Prep time: 15 min
Total time: 15 min
Ingredients: 1 cup granulated sugar ((7 ounces; 200 grams)); 7 cups water ((56 ounces; 1.6 kilograms)); 1 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice, about 8 to 10 lemons ((8 ounces; 226 grams))

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This simple recipe makes classic lemonade. It’s sweet, pleasantly tart, and perfect for summer.

There are so many ways to make lemonade but I always return to this classic recipe. It’s sweet, pleasantly tart and really easy to make. By the way, if you love lemonade, give homemade pink lemonade a try too. Both of these drinks make summer a little sweeter.

What you need to make lemonade.

Homemade lemonade only needs three simple ingredients: fresh lemons, sugar, and water. So good. And so simple!

A canister of granulated sugar and a bowl of fresh lemons. These are two of the ingredients for homemade lemonade.

Lemon Juice. Freshly squeezed lemon juice gives you the best flavor. You’ll need about 8 to 10 lemons to make the recipe. Bottled lemon juice is more budget-friendly but it tends to be very acidic. If you’d like to save some money, use half freshly squeezed juice and half bottled lemon juice.
Granulated Sugar. The sweetness for this lemonade comes from granulated (table) sugar.
Water. If you want to serve the lemonade right away, use very cold water. If not, chill the lemonade after you make it.

How to Make Lemonade.

Lemonade is pretty easy to make, which is great because I make it again and again during the summer.

Start with a Simple Syrup.

Side-by-side images of making homemade simple syrup. On left, pouring water onto granulated sugar in a small pot. On right, simple syrup boils.

I always sweeten my lemonade with a simple sugar syrup. Unlike simply mixing sugar with cold water, a simple syrup ensures that the sugar fully dissolves. This means no one gets a glass of lemonade with sugar sitting on the bottom.

To make it, combine a cup of sugar and a cup of water. Bring the mixture in a small pan. As soon as it reaches a boil and, the sugar is fully dissolved, remove it from the heat and let it cool.

Stir Everything Together.

Grab a large pitcher. Stir together the fresh lemon juice, cold water and sugar syrup.

If you prefer a tart lemonade, start by adding half the syrup. Taste the lemonade. Add more sugar syrup until it reaches the sweetness you like.

I like my lemonade really cold. So I chill it for at least an hour before serving. And then enjoy!

Note: This recipe was originally posted in July 2022. It was updated in April 2024.

Homemade Lemonade

Lemonade and summer are made for each other. This recipe makes lemonade that's sweet and pleasantly tart. For the best flavor, use freshly squeezed lemon juice. If you'd like to use bottled lemon juice, use half freshly squeezed and half bottled.

Course Drinks

Cuisine American

Keyword classic lemonade, lemonade

Prep Time 15 minutes

Total Time 15 minutes

Servings 8 servings

Calories 101 kcal

Ingredients

1 cup granulated sugar (7 ounces; 200 grams)
7 cups water (56 ounces; 1.6 kilograms)
1 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice, about 8 to 10 lemons (8 ounces; 226 grams)

Instructions

Combine the sugar and 1 cup water in a small pan. Bring to a boil and cook until the sugar is dissolved. Remove from the heat and allow to cool.
Combine the remaining water and lemon juice in a large pitcher. Add the sugar mixture.
Note: If you like a tart lemonade, add half the sugar mixture. Taste. Add more as needed. Serve and enjoy.

Recipe Notes

Store any leftover sugar syrup in the refrigerator for up to one month. Use it for another batch of lemonade or add it to iced coffee, iced tea, or cocktails.