Classic Homemade Lemonade with Simple Syrup
Make perfectly balanced, fresh-squeezed lemonade using a simple syrup method. This recipe yields a refreshing, sweet-tart pitcher ideal for summer gatherings.
- Prep Time: 15 min
- Cook Time: 5 min
- Total Time: 20 min
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Beverage
- Method: No Bake
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup water (for simple syrup)
- 1 cup fresh lemon juice (about 4–6 lemons)
- 3 cups cold water (for dilution)
- Ice, for serving
- Lemon slices, for garnish
Instructions
- Make the simple syrup: Combine the sugar and 1 cup of water in a small saucepan. Heat over medium heat, stirring until the sugar completely dissolves. Remove from heat and let cool slightly.
- Squeeze your lemons to yield 1 cup of fresh lemon juice. Strain the juice to remove pulp and seeds.
- In a large pitcher, combine the cooled simple syrup and the fresh lemon juice. Stir well.
- Add the remaining 3 cups of cold water to the pitcher and stir to combine thoroughly. This is your perfectly balanced lemonade base.
- Taste the lemonade. If you prefer it sweeter, add a little more simple syrup (if you made extra) or a teaspoon of sugar dissolved in a splash of hot water. If you prefer it tarter, add a splash more lemon juice.
- Chill the lemonade in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before serving for the best flavor.
- Serve the lemonade over plenty of ice, garnished with fresh lemon slices.
Notes
- For a gallon batch, multiply all ingredients by 1.5.
- For an Old Fashioned Lemonade flavor, muddle a few fresh mint leaves in the bottom of the pitcher before adding liquids.
- If you are making this for a BBQ, prepare the simple syrup ahead of time to save time.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 38g
- Sodium: 2mg
- Fat: 0g
- Saturated Fat: 0g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 0g
- Cholesterol: 0mg