This easy homemade lemonade recipe is so refreshing and bursting with bright lemon flavor. Adjust the amount of water until you've reached your desired balance of sweet and tart.
Course Drinks
Cuisine American
Keyword lemonade
Prep Time 15 minutesminutes
Cook Time 5 minutesminutes
Total Time 20 minutesminutes
Servings 6
Calories 110kcal
Ingredients
¾cupsugar
¾cupwater
1cupfreshly squeezed lemon juice, (from about 2 pounds of regular lemons or 1 ½ pounds of Meyer lemons)
Add the sugar and ¾ cup water to a medium-sized pot and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce to a simmer and stir occasionally, cooking until the sugar has completely dissolved (this should only take about 5 minutes). Remove from heat and let simple syrup cool.
To a large pitcher, add 1 cup lemon juice, 1 cup of the simple syrup, and 3 cups of cold water. Stir well, then taste. If this is the level of sweetness you’d prefer, stop here. If it’s a little too sweet for your tastes, add 1 ½ - 2 cups more of water. I find for me, 5 cups of water is the perfect balance of sweet and tart. You may have a little bit of simple syrup leftover (save and refrigerate for a cocktail if you like). Add some of the the lemon slices and stir. Serve over ice, adding a lemon slice or two to each glass. Store lemonade in the refrigerator (it should keep for several days).
Notes
*If using Meyer lemons, gradually add the simple syrup to taste (starting with the full amount will likely make the lemonade too sweet, as Meyer lemons are sweeter than regular lemons).