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Make a batch of fresh squeezed lemonade today. It's got the perfect balance of tart and sweet and tastes refreshing on a warm day.
There's nothing more refreshing than a glass of fresh squeezed lemonade on a hot summer day. Making lemonade from scratch is surprisingly easy and tastes way better than the store bought versions!
You only need two ingredients to get started - lemons and granulated sugar. You'll also need a pitcher to store your prepared lemonade.
Serve fresh squeezed lemonade any time of year. It's perfect for parties, summer grilling, or hanging out by the pool. Try my basil lemonade next for a fun twist on a classic!
Ingredients and substitutions
- Lemon juice - For this recipe, I highly recommend juicing lemons to make fresh lemon juice. Bottled lemon concentrate doesn't taste nearly as fresh as making your own.
- Sugar- Granulated sugar sweetens your lemonade and can easily be adjusted to suit your tastes.
- Water- You'll need 6.5 cups, or 52 ounces of water for this recipe.
Tips and tricks
Use fresh lemon juice - Squeeze your own lemon juice to make fresh squeezed lemonade. Fresh lemon juice has a superior flavor when compared to bottled lemon juice concentrate.
Use a heat-safe pitcher- I don't recommend preparing your lemonade in a glass pitcher if you're not sure it's heat-safe. Some glass pitchers can shatter if hot liquid is added.
Adjust sugar to suit your tastes- This recipe makes a moderately sweet lemonade. For a less sweet lemonade, try adding ⅔ cup of granulated sugar (while testing this recipe, I found that ½ cup of sugar was too tart). For a very sweet lemonade, add 1.5 cups of sugar.
Don't add ice to warm lemonade- Adding ice to warm lemonade dilutes it and makes it taste watery. Instead, allow your lemonade to chill in the refrigerator before serving over ice.
Frequently asked questions
How many lemons do I need for this recipe?
I recommend between 7 to 9 lemons depending on size. The amount of juice from each lemon can depend on whether they were picked in season, their size, and their temperature when juicing. Warm or room temperature lemons are easier to squeeze and extract their juice.
How long does fresh squeezed lemonade last?
Homemade lemonade will keep for up to 5 days in a pitcher in the refrigerator. The flavor is best within the first day.
Does lemonade need to be refrigerated?
Lemonade can sit out at room temperature for about 2 hours before requiring extra refrigeration. I recommend storing your lemonade in the refrigerator until ready to serve so that it maintains a cold temperature and doesn't get watery when served over ice.
Can lemonade be frozen?
Yes, lemonade can be frozen for up to 3 months in a freezer-safe container. To save space, make a concentrate by preparing the simple syrup and lemon juice, omitting the remainder of the water.
To thaw, transfer to the refrigerator to thaw overnight, or transfer to the countertop to thaw for several hours. Add water to your concentrate, stir, and serve.
Recommended
- Basil Lemonade
- Pineapple Mint Lemonade
- Strawberry Limeade
- Homemade Honey Limeade
📖 Recipe
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5 from 1 review
Fresh Squeezed Lemonade
Make a batch of fresh squeezed lemonade today. It's got the perfect balance of tart and sweet and tastes refreshing on a warm day.
Prep Time10 minutes minutes
Cook Time5 minutes minutes
Chilling Time2 hours hours
Total Time2 hours hours 15 minutes minutes
Servings: 8 servings
Calories: 118kcal
Author: Heather
Ingredients
- 1 cup (198 g) granulated sugar
- 6.5 cups (1474 g) water, divided
- 1.5 cups (336 g) fresh squeezed lemon juice, from 7 to 9 lemons
Instructions
In a saucepan over medium heat, add granulated sugar and one cup of water. Bring to a simmer and stir until sugar dissolves. Remove from heat and allow to cool slightly.
Meanwhile, add remaining 5.5 cups of water and lemon juice to a pitcher.
Stir simple syrup into lemon mixture to achieve desired sweetness. Use all of the simple syrup for a sweet lemonade. Use about ¾ for a lightly sweetened lemonade.
Refrigerate until chilled, about 2 hours. Serve over ice and enjoy.
Equipment Recommendations
Notes
- Lemonade will keep for about 3 to 4 days in the refrigerator, and flavor is best when served the same day.
- Add more or less sugar to suit your tastes. About ⅔ cup makes a less sweet, more tart lemonade. 1.5 cups makes a very sweet lemonade.
Nutrition Estimate
Serving: 8ounces | Calories: 118kcal | Carbohydrates: 31g | Protein: 0.2g | Fat: 0.2g | Saturated Fat: 0.02g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.02g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.004g | Sodium: 11mg | Potassium: 47mg | Fiber: 0.2g | Sugar: 29g | Vitamin A: 183IU | Vitamin C: 14mg | Calcium: 15mg | Iron: 0.2mg
Course: Drinks
Cuisine: American
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