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There’s nothing quite like a glass of fresh squeezed lemonade. Cold, tart, and perfectly sweet. It’s the drink that belongs in your hand on any warm day.

Find out how easy it is to make a glass of the best tasting homemade lemonade, as well as tips on how you can scale the recipe for a crowd and mix it up with different flavors!

A glass of lemonade with a yellow straw
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Why This Recipe Works

This is a back-to-basics recipe, but it’s all about doing the basics well.

The key is simple syrup. If you’ve ever mixed sugar directly into cold water and lemon juice, you already know it never fully dissolves.

That’s why simple syrup, equal parts sugar and water gently heated until clear, is essential. It makes your lemonade smooth and balanced from the first sip to the last.

Finding the Right Balance

Lemonade should strike the right balance between tart and sweet. I start with a 1:1 ratio of lemon juice to simple syrup, then add water to dilute.

You can scale the sugar or lemon to suit your taste, but always start with a smaller amount of water. You can always add more, but you can’t take it out. I find that about 4 parts water to 1 part lemon juice is usually just right.

Make It Sparkle

If you like a little fizz, try using sparkling water instead of still.

It instantly transforms your lemonade into something wonderful. It transforms into something that is refreshing, bubbly, and a great mocktail base for parties.

a close up of lemonade in a glass

Serving a Crowd?

This recipe is written for a single glass, but it’s easy to scale by combining these, or a factor of these, amounts:

  • 1 cup lemon juice
  • 1 cup simple syrup
  • 4 cups water

Mix it all in a pitcher and serve over ice. Garnish with lemon slices or mint if you’re feeling fancy.

Variations to Try

  • Strawberry Lemonade: Blend fresh strawberries with the lemon juice before mixing. You can even go a step further and make Strawberry Rhubarb Lemonade.
  • Herbal Twist: Steep mint, basil, or lavender in the simple syrup before straining and cooling.
  • Limeade: Simply swap the lemons for limes. This is also fantastic with berry puree mixed in.
  • Spiked Lemonade: A splash of vodka, bourbon, or gin works beautifully for an adult version.

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Fresh Squeezed Lemonade

Prep5 minutes
Total5 minutes
Servings 1 glass
There is nothing better than enjoying an ice cold glass of easy-to-make classic homemade Fresh Squeezed Lemonade on a gorgeous warm day.

Ingredients 

  • 1 ounce lemon juice freshly squeezed
  • 1 ounce simple syrup see link in notes
  • 4 ounces water
  • ice
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Instructions 

  • Combine 1 ounce lemon juice, 1 ounce simple syrup, and 4 ounces water. Mix well. Pour over ice and enjoy!

Notes

If you don’t have simple syrup on hand, its easy to make. Just follow the instructions in this post: https://selfproclaimedfoodie.com/make-simple-syrup/
You can scale the sugar or lemon to suit your taste, but always start with a smaller amount of water. You can always add more, but you can’t take it out. I find that about 4 parts water to 1 part lemon juice is usually just right.
Serving a crowd? This recipe is written for a single glass, but it’s easy to scale:
  • 1 cup lemon juice
  • 1 cup simple syrup
  • 4 cups water
Mix it all in a pitcher and serve over ice. Garnish with lemon slices or mint if you’re feeling fancy.
 
 

Nutrition

Calories: 83kcal, Carbohydrates: 23g, Protein: 1g, Fat: 1g, Saturated Fat: 1g, Sodium: 22mg, Sugar: 21g, Vitamin C: 11mg, Iron: 1mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Did you make this? Leave me a comment below

Hi! I’m Krissy.

I love to create the BEST versions of your favorite recipes. If you love to cook, love to eat, or just have a deep appreciation for good food, you're in the right place! Stick around... I have hundreds of recipes for you to make.

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5 Comments

  1. 5 stars
    Perfect for the new house that has a lemon tree in the backyard, will use this over and over again.