This Best Ever Homemade Lemonade is perfectly sweet with just the right amount of tang. One taste and you’ll be hooked!

White bowl with whole lemons in the top left corner of frame and a cutting board with various lemons, peeled and cut

This lemonade is 100 percent a labor of love. But I promise its worth it! The process is simple and fairly quick but tedious. Tedious to some because, honestly I love prep work.. a complete prep cook at heart.

small sauce pan with lemon peels and sugar and a cutting board with various lemons, peeled and cut

To make this best ever homemade lemonade, we only need lots of fresh lemons, sugar and water. Simple right?? Now you may be asking, why is this the best ever?.. Im glad you asked lol. The secret is in the simple syrup. Simple syrup is basically equal parts sugar and water, brought up to a boil just until the sugar dissolves. Simple syrups are amazing and can be used for all sorts of drinks and cocktails as well as sorbets.

small sauce pan with lemon peels and sugar and water being poured in and a cutting board with various lemons, peeled and cut

We’re not making plain simple syrup though. This recipe calls for lemon simple syrup. The lemon simple syrup adds sweetness plus it punches up the lemon flavor in the lemonade.

small sauce pan with lemon peels and sugar and water and a cutting board with various lemons, peeled and cut

Making the simple syrup is fairly easy. You need to take the zest off a few lemons. Aim to take them off in long strips. Now this is the important albeit tedious step. We need to remove as much of the pith (the white stuff) as possible. That stuff is bitter and will make a bitter syrup. It doesn’t have to be perfect but try to get as much off as you can. After that, making the lemonade is pretty standard. Adjust the water and syrup to your liking. More syrup if you like it on the sweet side and less if you don’t. Serve it with plenty of ice and lemon slices if your feeling fancy.

two glasses with lemonade and lemon slices on top of a brown cutting board. a white bowl with lemons towards the back of the Frame and a glass vase with lemonade in it

Spiking the lemonade is definitely encouraged… better yet if you like this recipe try my Lemonade Margarita Cocktail. Its dangerously good lol

two glasses with lemonade and lemon slices on top of a brown cutting board. a white bowl with lemons towards the back of the Frame and a glass vase with lemonade in it

Best Ever Homemade Lemonade

Yield: 10 cups
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes

Perfectly sweet lemonade with just the right amount of tang!

Ingredients

  • 1.75 cups fresh lemon juice
  • 8 cups cold water
  • 1 cup lemon simple syrup

Lemon Simple Syrup

  • peels from 4-5 lemons, pith removed
  • 2 cups granulated sugar
  • 2 cups water

Instructions

  1. Add the ingredients for the simple syrup to a small or medium sauce pan and place over medium heat on the stove.
  2. Bring the mix up to a slight boil then reduce to a simmer. simmer for about 15 minutes. turn the heat off and let it sit for another 15 minutes.
  3. Strain lemon simple syrup into a mason jar*. Can be used immediately or stored in the fridge for future use.
  4. In a large pitcher, mix the fresh lemon juice, water and lemon simple syrup. mix well.
  5. Add a few lemon slices and ice to a couple glasses and fill with the best ever homemade lemonade.
  6. Enjoy!

Notes

*any seal proof container with a lid will do

Nutrition Information:
Yield: 10 cups Serving Size: 1 cup
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 241

nutrition information is not always accurate

© Angie
Cuisine: juice / Category: Siriusly Thirsty