Best Lemonade Ever

This homemade lemonade is the perfect balance of tart and sweet — made with just fresh lemons, sugar, and cold water. It’s vibrant, naturally refreshing, and so much better than store-bought. You can easily adjust it to make it more tart, more sweet, or even turn it into a sparkling version. Whether served over ice or infused with fresh herbs or fruit, it’s a timeless summer classic.

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Chill Time: 30 minutes (optional)

Total Time: 10-40 minutes

Servings: about 6 cups (4-6 servings)

Ingredients:

• 1 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice (about 4–6 lemons)
• 3/4 to 1 cup granulated sugar (adjust to taste)
• 5 cups cold water
• Ice for serving
• Optional: lemon slices, fresh mint, or berries for garnish

Instructions:

1. Roll lemons on the counter for extra juice, then squeeze until you have 1 cup of juice. Strain out seeds.
2. In a small saucepan, combine 1 cup water and the sugar. Heat over medium, stirring until sugar dissolves. (This makes a quick simple syrup.)
3. In a large pitcher, combine the lemon juice, simple syrup, and the remaining 4 cups cold water. Stir well.
4. Chill in the fridge for 30 minutes or serve right away over ice.
5. Add lemon slices, mint, or berries for a fresh touch.

Tips:

• Use Meyer lemons for a slightly sweeter flavor.
• Swap out some water for sparkling water for a fizzy version.
• For flavored lemonade, add crushed raspberries, strawberries, or cucumber slices.

🖨️ Print this recipe/ Download PDF

Share this post