Description
A bright, sweet-tart pitcher of homemade classic lemonade with silky simple syrup, fresh-squeezed lemon juice, and plenty of ice for the most refreshing sip of summer.
Ingredients
- Fresh lemons, 6 to 8 medium (about 1 cup juice), freshly squeezed
- Granulated sugar, 1 cup
- Water, 4 to 5 cups (1 cup warm for syrup, 3 to 4 cups cold to dilute)
- Ice cubes, as needed
- Lemon slices, for garnish
Instructions
- Make the syrup: In a small saucepan, stir 1 cup granulated sugar into 1 cup warm water over low heat until fully dissolved, then cool to room temperature.
- Juice the lemons: Roll lemons on the counter, cut, and juice until you have about 1 cup. Strain to remove seeds and most pulp.
- Combine in a pitcher: Add the strained lemon juice and cooled simple syrup to a large pitcher.
- Dilute to taste: Stir in 3 to 4 cups cold water. Taste and adjust with more water for milder flavor or a splash of syrup for more sweetness.
- Chill and ice: Add plenty of ice cubes to the pitcher or to individual glasses.
- Garnish: Add lemon slices to the pitcher for aroma and a sunny look.
- Serve: Pour into tall glasses and enjoy immediately while cold.
Notes
- Roll lemons firmly on the counter before juicing to release more juice.
- For deeper citrus aroma, zest one lemon and briefly steep the zest in the warm syrup, then strain.
- Use sparkling water in place of some still water for a fizzy variation.
- Freeze extra lemon juice in ice cube trays so the drink never gets watered down.
- Double strain the juice for an ultra smooth, pulp-free sip.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Category: Beverage
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 110
- Sugar: 34 g
- Sodium: 5 mg
- Fat: 0 g
- Saturated Fat: 0 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 34 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 0 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg