Food & Cooking Recipes Drink Recipes Lemonade 5.0 (1) Cool down with a glass of this sweet and simple homemade lemonade. Prep Time: 20 mins Total Time: 1 hr Servings: 8 Jump to recipe No summer menu is complete without homemade lemonade. And lemonade is delightfully easy to make, as it calls for three basic ingredients: sugar, water, and lemons. The recipe involves making a simple syrup, which is combined with water and fresh lemon juice. For a stronger lemon flavor, add a few juiced lemon halves or lemon zest to the finished drink (just be sure to wash the lemons before squeezing). When making lemonade—or any lemon recipe, for that matter—choose your fruits wisely. Always pick lemons without any blemishes, wrinkling, or discoloration. They should feel heavy for their size and have some give when you gently press them. Lemonade Directions Dissolve sugar: In a large saucepan, heat sugar and 1 cup water over medium-high heat, stirring, until sugar dissolves; remove from heat. Add lemon juice and strain: Stir in lemon juice and 6 cups water. Strain, if desired, into a large container. For a less sweet lemonade, add more water. Chill and serve: Refrigerate until cool, 30 to 40 minutes. Serve over ice. Should You Refrigerate Oranges, Lemons, Limes, Grapefruit, and Other Citrus? Lemonade Variations It's easy to change up your favorite lemonade. Flavored Ice Cubes: Elevate this lemonade recipe by serving it with flavored ice cubes. Add herbs, edible flowers, or fruit to an ice cube tray, then fill with water. Once frozen, the decorative ice cubes can be added to each glass before you pour the lemonade. Club Soda: To make sparkling lemonade, mix the beverage with club soda. Start with equal parts of each drink, then add more lemonade or club soda depending on your desired level of fizz. Iced Tea: Make a refreshing Arnold Palmer by combining equal parts lemonade and iced tea. Fruit Garnish: Add chopped fruits for a pop of color and flavor. Blueberries, sliced strawberries, and cucumbers are delicious choices. How to Store Lemonade Refrigerate leftover lemonade in airtight container for five to seven days. Avoid adding ice to the container, as it will dilute the beverage. Try These Other Lemonade Recipes: Cherry Lemonade Strawberry Lemonade Pink Lemonade Blueberry-Mint Lemonade Vodka-Thyme Lemonade Updated by Kirsten Nunez Kirsten Nunez Kirsten Nunez is a writer who focuses on food, health, nutrition, and DIY. She has a master's degree in nutrition, and has been writing professionally for nearly 10 years for digital and print publications, such as decorvow, Shape, Real Simple, Healthline, and SELF. She also creates original recipes, which have appeared on product packaging in stores.