Homemade Lemonade
Nothing is more refreshing on a hot day than a cool glass of lemonade...and this homemade lemonade recipe will have your friends and family coming back for seconds! Even better? You can make the lemonade syrup ahead of time, and store it in the refrigerator for up to 3 weeks. Then just add water when you want to serve it!
Servings 12 8-ounce glasses
Calories 61kcal
Equipment
- lemon grater
- measuring spoons and cup
- small saucepan
- lemon juicer
- glass container for storing the syrup if you're not making it right away
- pitcher for serving
Ingredients
- 1½ cups water
- 1½ cups granulated white sugar or ¾ cup honey
- 2 Tablespoons grated lemon rind
- 1¾ cups freshly squeezed lemon juice
- fresh mint or lemon balm optional
Instructions
- Combine 1½ cups water, 1½ cups sugar (or ¾ cup honey) and 2 Tablespoons lemon rind in a saucepan.
- Bring to a boil, stirring constantly.
- Let the mixture simmer for about 5 minutes.
- Remove from the heat and let cool.
- Pour 1¾ cups freshly squeezed lemon juice into a glass storage jar.
- When the syrup has cooled, add it to the jar and mix well.
To make an individual glass of lemonade:
- Add ¼ cup of syrup to a glass.
- Mix in ¾ cup of water
- Add some ice and garnish with a sprig of mint or lemon balm.
For a 2-quart pitcher:
- Add 1½ cups of syrup to the pitcher (about half of the syrup recipe)
- Mix in 4½ cups of water to the pitcher.
- Add some ice and garnish with sliced lemon and fresh mint or lemon balm leaves.
For a 1-gallon drink dispenser:
- Add 1 full recipe of syrup to the dispenser (about 3 cups).
- Pour in 9 cups of water and mix well.
- Add ice and some lemon slices.
Notes
- Using honey instead of sugar has a slightly different taste, and looks a little darker, but still tastes good and has less calories.
- The lemonade syrup can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 weeks.
- Make different amounts of lemonade by combining 1 part of the syrup with 3 parts water.
Nutrition
Serving: 16-ounce glass | Calories: 61kcal | Protein: 0.4g | Fat: 0.3g | Cholesterol: 7.8mg | Sodium: 6mg | Sugar: 12.9g