This homemade lemonade recipe is just the thing for a hot summer day. Made with 3 simple ingredients, it's sweet, refreshing, and deliciously tart.
This homemade lemonade recipe is so refreshing on a hot day! Made with 3 simple ingredients—water, lemon juice, and simple syrup—it’s sweet, citrusy, and deliciously tart. In the summer, I’d happily drink an ice-cold glass every day. (Not surprising given that you’re on Love & Lemons, right?)
This lemonade recipe makes a big batch, so it’d be a great refreshment for your next cookout or BBQ. However, you can easily scale it down if you’re serving a smaller group. Garnish glasses with fresh mint leaves or basil for an aromatic, summery twist, or keep things classic and top each one with a fresh lemon slice. Enjoy!
Homemade Lemonade Ingredients
You only need a few simple ingredients to make this homemade lemonade recipe:
- Fresh lemons, of course! When you’re making homemade lemonade, fresh-squeezed lemon juice is a must. Skip the bottled lemon juice, please! You’ll need about 12 lemons to make a full recipe.
- Simple syrup – For sweetness. Make a traditional simple syrup with equal parts granulated sugar and water, or infuse it with fresh basil or mint for an unexpected twist. Check out my simple syrup recipe to learn how to make a flavored syrup.
- Cold water – It dilutes the lemon juice and simple syrup, balancing the tart and sweet flavors.
- And ice – For a cold, refreshing drink.
Find the complete recipe with measurements below.
How to Make Lemonade
My method for how to make freshly squeezed lemonade is super simple!
- First, you’ll make the simple syrup. Try the basil variation for a more complex flavor.
- Next, juice the lemons. Halve and squeeze lemons until you have 3 cups of lemon juice, or less if you’re making a scaled-down batch. Tip: A good juicer will serve you well here!
- Then, stir it all together. Pour the cooled simple syrup, lemon juice, and water into a pitcher. If you’re serving the lemonade right away, stir in a couple handfuls of ice.
- Finally, taste and adjust. The best part of making homemade lemonade is that you get to adjust the balance of flavors to your liking! If you prefer a sweeter drink, add more simple syrup. If you like yours nice and tart, add more lemon.
Serve over ice with your desired garnishes. We like lemon wheels and/or sprigs of fresh basil or mint.
Enjoy the lemonade on its own, or serve it as part of a summer meal with classic cookout fare like veggie burgers, pasta salad, fruit salad, and corn on the cob.
How to Store
Homemade lemonade keeps well in a covered pitcher in the fridge for up to 3 days.
If you’re making it in advance or plan to keep it on hand for a few days, don’t add ice to the pitcher—it’ll dilute the lemonade as it chills in the fridge.
Instead, add ice to individual glasses when you’re ready to serve. Make sure to give the lemonade a good stir before pouring!
More Favorite Summer Drinks
If you love this fresh lemonade recipe, try one of these summer drinks next:
Homemade Lemonade
Ingredients
- 1 cup simple syrup, plus more to taste
- 6 cups water
- 3 cups fresh lemon juice
- Ice
- Lemon wheels, for garnish
Instructions
- Make the simple syrup according to this recipe. Allow to cool to room temperature.
- In a large pitcher, place the water, lemon juice, and simple syrup. Stir to combine.
- If making ahead, chill the lemonade in the refrigerator until ready to serve. If serving right away, stir in several handfuls of ice. Taste and add more simple syrup if desired.
- Pour into glasses filled with ice and garnish with lemon wheels.
It was good but definitely overpowering. Too much lemon juice for our tastes. Even in our Arnold palmers. 4:1 ratio is definitely better for us.
My family really enjoyed this recipe. I was not sure about the proportions; 2:1 for the water and lemon juice ratio seemed a bit low. Other recipes I had perused called for 6:1 or 4:1. The 2:1 definitely provides a rich lemon flavour. I cut the recipe in half, and I added only 1/4 cup of simple syrup to the pitcher, but I set out a pitcher of simple syrup with the lemonade so everyone could sweeten to taste. Nothing but raves! The second pitcher I made, I went with a 3:1 ratio, and no one noticed a difference – same great lemon taste and family raves. I will forever keep a little pitcher of simple syrup in my fridge from this day forward! I muddled a few mint leaves in our simple syrup – so easy! Thanks, Jeanine & Jack!
Hi Queenie, I’m so glad you loved the lemonade!
This is the perfect summer drink. The ingredients are so simple and the same that I learned to do as a kid but the simple syrup technique really makes all the difference. Thanks for sharing your recipe.
I’m so glad you loved it, Scarlet!
Hey there, Phoebe, I am wondering if I can make the simple syrup using Xylitol instead of sugar?
Hi Katherine, we haven’t tried that so I’m not sure.
How many lemons do you need to make 3 cups?
Hi Chris, you’ll need about 12-15 lemons to get 3 cups juice! A good rule of thumb is 3-4 tablespoons juice per lemon. You can always scale this recipe down to make a smaller batch if you don’t need a full pitcher.
Thanks so much, Phoebe! Making it today 🙂
Tasty.
I adore lemonade! Thank you for a great recipe. Yum!
How many lemons do you need for 3 cups?
Hi Max, the amount of juice in lemons can vary, but I’d estimate about 12 for this recipe.
Really loved the recipe. Perfect for the sumer!!
Excellent recipes