My easy homemade lemonade recipe uses whole lemons soaked in simple syrup, similar to a Midwestern county fair lemon shake-up.
If you like this recipe, try my Lemon Bars with Graham Cracker Crust next!
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Who loves a lemon shake-up from the fair or carnival on a hot day? You know the ones – ice, water, sugar and whole lemons get shaken vigorously for a cold refreshing treat. I was craving homemade lemonade recently and the taste of lemon shake-ups are the first thing that came to mind.
Most recipes I researched use all fresh-squeezed lemon juice. I wanted to use mostly bottled lemon juice instead of fresh lemon juice to save on both cost and effort. And that’s when I came up with my “secret” to the best lemonade. Heat two whole lemons together with water and sugar to make an intensely lemon flavored simple syrup. Then mix that together with bottled lemon juice and water. I am thrilled with the results and I know you will be too!
This homemade lemonade is perfect for a hot summer day. And if you are so inclined, it would make a killer cocktail too. Just add a splash of vodka, pour over ice and garnish with lemon slices. Or enjoy a classic Arnold Palmer by combining it with equal parts iced tea.
More drink recipes
Simple ingredients for homemade lemonade recipe
- Fresh Lemons – Instead of 6-8 lemons, my recipe only uses two. (three if you cut one into slices for garnish). In this economy, I’ll take whatever money saving hacks I can get!
- Lemon Juice – Use store brand bottled lemon juice. The final product still tastes like it was made with freshly-squeezed lemon juice!
- Sugar – Two cups of sugar for one gallon of lemonade may sound like a lot but it provides just the right amount of sweet flavor.
- Water – One gallon of homemade lemonade uses a total of 12 cups of water.
Instructions
Combine the cut lemons, sugar and two cups of water in a saucepan. Cook over medium heat until the sugar is completely dissolved, stirring occasionally. The water will start to form some bubbles but it’s not necessary to boil.
Cover and store the mixture in the fridge overnight. This allows the lemons to release all their oils and natural flavors. They’ll be very soft. The next day, squeeze the juice and pulp into the simple syrup and put the four lemon halves into your pitcher.
Carefully pour the lemony simple syrup into the pitcher (about four cups). Then add the lemon juice and remaining water. Give it a good stir. Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve. Keep scrolling for my free printable recipe card and video!
Serving suggestions
Pour lemonade over ice cubes and garnish with fresh lemon slices. If you want to get fancier, pour some of the lemonade over fresh raspberries in an ice cube tray. Once frozen, the ice cubes will look pretty in the glass. And won’t dilute the lemonade.
Here’s some more of my summertime recipes to serve with this lemonade to make a complete meal –
Storage directions
The homemade lemonade will stay fresh in the fridge for 5 to 7 days. Store in an airtight container or a pitcher with a lid to keep it covered.
Kitchen tools
- I use this 3-quart ceramic saucepan to make the simple syrup
- This set of three Pyrex measuring cups will help with all the measuring
- I love this set of two Mason jar glass pitchers for storing drinks
Homemade Lemonade Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 lemons I used seedless
- 2 cups sugar
- 1 cup bottled lemon juice
- 12 cups water divided
Instructions
- In a large sauce pan, combine two cups of the water with the two cups of sugar. Cut each lemon in half and add to the sauce pan.
- Heat over medium heat until the sugar completely dissolves. The water will be simmering but it's not necessary to boil it.
- Cover the pan with a lid and refrigerate overnight.
- The next day, squeeze each lemon to get the juice and pulp into the simple syrup. The lemons will be very soft. Add the squeezed lemons to a one gallon-sized pitcher or jar. You could also use two half-gallon sized containers.
- You'll have about 4 cups of the lemony simple syrup. Add this to your pitcher with the four lemon halves. Pour in the one cup of bottled lemon juice. And then add the remaining 10 cups of cold water, or enough water until the pitcher is full.
- The homemade lemonade will stay fresh in the refrigerator in a covered pitcher for 5 to 7 days. Pour over glasses of ice when ready to serve.
Video
Nutrition
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