Lemonade
This Fresh Squeezed Lemonade is pure sunshine in a glass — tart, sweet, ultra-refreshing, and full of that nostalgic homemade magic. It’s the perfect go-to for pool days, porch moments, BBQs, or any summer day that needs a little sparkle.
Equipment
- Citrus juicer or reamer
- Saucepan for simple syrup
- Pitcher at least 2-liter capacity
- Spoon for stirring
- Fine mesh strainer optional, for smoother juice
- Knife & cutting board
- Serving glassesIce cubes lots!
Ingredients
The Lemon Magic:
- 6-8 large lemons juicy ones, babe - give them a squeeze test!
- 1 cup sugar or ¾ cup if you like it less sweet
- 6 cups cold water divided - trust the process
- Pinch of salt the secret flavor enhancer!
Simple Syrup Method (Pro Level):
- 1 cup water for syrup
- 1 cup sugar
- Zest of 2 lemons if you're feeling fancy
Glow-Up Additions:
- Fresh mint leaves because we're bougie like that
- Sliced lemons for serving pretty AND practical
- Ice cubes lots and lots of ice!
- Sparkling water for fizzy lemonade vibes
Optional Flavor Twists:
- ½ cup fresh berries strawberry lemonade, anyone?
- 2 tablespoons honey instead of some sugar natural sweetness queen
- Fresh herbs like basil or lavender Instagram-worthy vibes
- 1 cup watermelon juice summer mashup magic!
Instructions
Prep Your Lemons Like a Boss
- First things first — roll those lemons on the counter while pressing down (this breaks up the fibers and gets more juice out).
- Cut them in half and start squeezing! You want about 1 cup of fresh lemon juice.
- Pro tip: Use a fork to poke the lemon while squeezing — game changer for getting every drop!
Make That Simple Syrup (Trust Me on This)
- In a small pot, bring 1 cup water and 1 cup sugar to a boil.
- Stir until the sugar completely dissolves (about 2 minutes).
- Let it cool completely — this is what makes lemonade smooth instead of gritty!
- If you're feeling fancy, add lemon zest while it's hot for extra lemony goodness.
Mix That Liquid Gold
- In your pitcher, combine your fresh lemon juice with the cooled simple syrup.
- Add that tiny pinch of salt (trust me, it makes everything taste more lemony!).
- Slowly add 5 cups of cold water and stir it up.
Taste and Perfect It, Queen
- This is YOUR moment to shine! Taste it and adjust:
- Too tart? Add more simple syrup or a splash of honey.
- Too sweet? Squeeze in another lemon.
- Need more zing? Add a tiny bit more salt.
- You're the lemonade boss here!
Serve It With All the Style
- Fill glasses with ice (be generous — cold lemonade is happy lemonade).
- Pour that gorgeous sunshine over the ice.
- Add a lemon slice, sprig of mint, or whatever makes your heart sing!
Notes
- Wanna make it ahead? Prep the simple syrup in advance — it keeps in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.
- Using frozen lemon juice? It’ll work in a pinch, but nothing beats fresh.
- Less sugar? You do you — start with ¾ cup sugar and adjust to taste.
- Berries, herbs, fizz? Don’t hold back! This lemonade is a canvas for your wildest summer flavor dreams.
- Hosting a crowd? Double or triple the recipe and serve in a drink dispenser with floating lemon slices and mint — total lemonade stand queen moment.