This Classic Lemonade recipe is the foundation for all my lemonade variations and the one I always return to when I want something simple, fresh, and reliable. With just a few ingredients and minimal effort, it creates the perfect balance of tangy and sweet. Whether you're serving it at a picnic, sipping it on a warm day, or using it as the base for a more adventurous flavor, this lemonade is where it all begins.
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❤️Why you will love this recipe
- Simple and timeless: This recipe is made with just a handful of ingredients and comes together quickly without any fuss.
- Customizable: You can easily adjust the sweetness and tartness to your taste or switch things up by adding different flavors.
- Loved by the entire family: Budget-friendly and made with ingredients you likely already have, this lemonade is a favorite across all ages.
- Make-ahead friendly: The syrup keeps well in the fridge, making it easy to assemble a fresh batch anytime.
- Great for gatherings: This recipe can be scaled up effortlessly, making it perfect for parties, picnics, or lazy afternoons with friends.
- Base for all my lemonade recipes: This is the exact recipe I build all my flavored lemonades on, and it never fails.
My favorite part with homemade lemonade is that you can adjust the sweetness by changing the ratio of syrup and lemon juice. This makes it the perfect base to create any kind of lemonade you like.
If you love this recipe, you should also try my Rosemary Peach Lemonade.
🥣Equipment
To make this classic lemonade, you'll need:
- Saucepan: A small saucepan works best.
- Citrus juicer: Use a citrus juicer of your choice, no matter if it is hand-held or electric or you just squeeze them with your bare hands.
- Pitcher or bottle: Choose a pitcher or bottle of your choice to serve and /or store the lemonade in.
- Measuring cups: You will need measuring cups (US measuring cup or a standard coffee cup) and one for liquid measuring this recipe.
- Fine mesh strainer (optional): This helps to prevent unwanted seeds and pulp in your lemonade if your juicer does not already hold those parts back.
📝The Ingredients
Homemade lemonade only uses a few simple ingredients you usually have already laying around:
- Granulated sugar: This recipe uses a homemade simple syrup made by dissolving granulated white sugar in water instead of adding raw sugar directly. It blends more evenly and gives the lemonade a smoother flavor. Other sugars can be used but have not been tested. You can also use a store-bought simple syrup if you prefer convenience.
- Water: Use clean, still water for this lemonade. Avoid tap water and go for filtered water if your tap water has a strong taste or is not really drinkable.
- Fresh lemons: Use fresh lemons for homemade lemonade. If you plan to use the zest in another recipe or use slices as garnish, go for organic.
- Ice (optional): Use ice cubes or crushed ice depending on your preference. Crushed ice gives a nostalgic lemonade-stand feel.
- Fresh herbs (optional): If you enjoy a herby touch, fresh herbs like mint can make your basic lemonade feel more classy. Pick leaves that are bright and unbruised and give them a little slap before adding to the drink to break free their extracts.
👩🏻🍳How to a Classic Lemonade
Here is a quick overview of the recipe steps. Please read the recipe card for the full instructions.
- Make the syrup:
Combine sugar and water in a saucepan and heat until fully dissolved. Let it cool.
- Mix:
Combine the cooled syrup, lemon juice, and water in a pitcher or bottle.
- Serve or chill:
Serve right away or store in the fridge until ready to enjoy. Garnish is optional.
💡How to Turn This into Any Flavored Lemonade
Once you have the base recipe down, the fun part begins. You can easily create your own flavored versions with just a few small tweaks. Here are my favorite ways to do that:
- Use a different syrup: Swap the classic simple syrup with a flavored one. I love using any of my syrups, like my cherry syrup for my Cherry Lemonade.
- Infuse the syrup: Add herbs like thyme, lavender, or basil while the syrup is still warm and strain them out once cooled. You can see how I do this in my Raspberry Thyme Lemonade.
- Add fruit juice: Replace part of the lemon juice with another fruit juice like orange, grapefruit, or mango. It is a simple way to add both extra flavor and a new color.
🍴Serving suggestions
This classic lemonade is super refreshing on its own, but here are a few ways I like to serve it:
- Over ice: Simply pour it into glasses filled with ice for an instant cool-down.
- With fresh herbs: Add a sprig of mint or basil to each glass for a little aroma and a pretty touch. Make sure to slap the herb first to release its flavor.
- With fruit slices: Lemon, lime, or even berries look beautiful floating in the pitcher and add a subtle berry flavor. Squash them a bit to release even more flavor.
- As a cocktail base: Mix it with vodka, gin, or even prosecco for a simple and summery drink or make a more complex cocktail with it if you dare.
- With sparkling water: Replace part of the still water with sparkling water for a fizzy version that feels a bit more special.
- With condensed milk: Replace part of the syrup with a spoonful of sweetened condensed milk for a creamy variation similar to Brazilian lemonade.
🥄Storage
This lemonade keeps really well, so you can always make a batch ahead of time and keep it ready:
- Fridge: Store the lemonade in a sealed pitcher or bottle in the fridge for up to 5 days. Give it a quick stir before serving.
- Avoid ice until serving: Always add ice just before serving to keep the flavor from getting diluted.
You can freeze the syrup or even the lemon juice separately in ice cube trays and use them as needed. This is great for making a quick glass of lemonade anytime.
💭Frequently asked questions
Simple syrup blends smoothly into the lemonade and gives it a more even sweetness. Plain sugar does not dissolve well in cold liquids and can sit at the bottom and make the lemonade gritty unless stirred constantly. The syrup also allows better control when adjusting the flavor.
Yes, honey or agave syrup are great alternatives.
I don't recommend using bottled lemon juice.. It's often extremely concentrated and can taste overly sharp or artificial, so if you do use it, be careful with the amount and try to go for pure lemon juice.
Absolutely. Prepare the syrup and lemon juice ahead of time and mix just before serving, or make the full batch and store it in the fridge.
Yes, I actually recommend it! Just multiply the ingredients using the multiplier in the recipe card as needed. It scales perfectly for a big pitcher or drink dispenser.
Homemade simple syrup lasts about 3 to 4 weeks if stored in a clean, airtight container.
Simply use less syrup or increase the water slightly. You can also use more lemon juice if you prefer a sharper taste.
Definitely. Vodka, gin, rum, or prosecco all pair really well with the bright lemon flavor.
My favorite is the electric citrus press by Braun as it gets out the most juice with the least effort. If I do not want to clean that all a simple glass citrus press is honestly my favorite.
Yes, and it's delicious. The flavor is sharper and a little more tart. It's basically limeade, and it works beautifully with herbs or sweet syrups.
More recipes to try
📖 Recipe
Homemade Classic Lemonade
Equipment
- Saucepan
- Citrus Juicer
- Pitcher or Bottle
- Measuring Cups
- Fine Mesh Strainer (optional)
Ingredients
For the Syrup
- ½ cup Granulated Sugar
- ½ cup Water
For the Lemonade
- 5 Fresh Lemons
- 700 ml Water
- Ice optional
- Herbs optional
Instructions
Make the simple syrup
- Add the sugar and water to a small saucepan.½ cup Granulated Sugar, ½ cup Water
- Bring to a simmer while stirring, just until the sugar has completely dissolved.
- Remove from the heat and let it cool completely before using.
Make the lemonade
- Juice the lemons Use a fine mesh strainer if you want to remove pulp and seeds.5 Fresh Lemons
- In a pitcher or bottle, combine the cooled syrup, the lemon juice, and the water.700 ml Water
- Stir well to combine.
- Serve immediately or store in the fridge until ready to enjoy. Add ice, herbs or other garnishes to your liking.Ice, Herbs
Notes
- Customize the lemonade to your liking by adjusting the ratio of syrup and lemon juice.
- You can use store-bought simple syrup if you're short on time.
- Use freshly squeezed lemon juice for the best flavor. Bottled juice is not recommended as it is very concentrated and often lacks freshness, but possible.
- For a flavored version, try using fruit syrups, herb infusions, or mixing in other fruit juices. Make sure to try some of my flavored lemonade recipes.
- Keep leftovers in the fridge for up to 5 days and only add ice just before serving.
US Customary conversions are calculated automatically. I cannot guarantee the accuracy of this information.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is calculated automatically. I cannot guarantee the accuracy of this information.
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