Classic Homemade Lemonade
In short: Tart, sweet lemonade made from fresh lemon juice, sugar and water in the classic ratio, with tips to adjust it to your taste. It takes about 15 min in total and makes 6 servings.
- Prep
- 15 min
- Cook
- 0 min
- Resting
- 30 min
- Total
- 15 min
- Servings
- 6
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 109 kcal
Good lemonade needs only three things: fresh lemon juice, sugar and water. The trick is to dissolve the sugar in hot water first, which gives a smooth drink with no gritty bottom. This recipe sits in the middle, tart enough to refresh and sweet enough for children. Lemons vary a lot, so taste before you chill and adjust. It keeps for days, which makes it good for parties and long summer afternoons.
Instructions
- Roll each lemon firmly on the counter under your palm, then cut it in half and squeeze. Strain out the seeds and measure 240 ml (1 cup) of juice.
- Put the sugar in a large jug and pour in the hot water. Stir for 1 minute until the sugar dissolves completely and the liquid looks clear.
- Add the lemon juice and the cold water and stir well.
- Taste. If it is too sharp, dissolve 1 more tablespoon of sugar in a little hot water and stir it in. If it is too sweet, add a splash of cold water or a squeeze more lemon.
- Chill the jug for at least 30 minutes, until very cold.
- Stir, pour over ice and add lemon slices to each glass.
Tips
- To serve a crowd, make a concentrate by mixing the juice and sugar syrup first, then add the cold water just before serving.
- Freeze some lemon juice in an ice cube tray and use the cubes to chill the lemonade without watering it down.
Questions and answers
How much sugar goes in homemade lemonade?
This recipe uses 150 g (3/4 cup) for about 1.3 liters, which is moderately sweet. Use up to 200 g (1 cup) for a sweeter style, or 100 g for a tart one.
How long does homemade lemonade keep?
Up to 4 days in a covered jug in the fridge. The flavor is brightest in the first 2 days, and the pulp may settle, so stir before pouring.
Can I use bottled lemon juice?
You can, but the flavor is flatter and a little bitter. Fresh juice makes a clearly brighter lemonade, and lemons are cheap enough to be worth squeezing.
How long does it take to make Classic Homemade Lemonade?
About 15 min in total: 15 min of preparation and 0 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Classic Homemade Lemonade?
About 109 kcal per serving, with 0 g of protein, 28 g of carbohydrates and 0 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 109 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 0 g |
| Carbohydrates | 28 g |
| Fat | 0 g |
| Fiber | 0 g |
| Sugar | 26 g |
| Sodium | 5 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
