PrintOld-Fashioned Lemonade
This homemade lemonade is bright, tart, and naturally refreshing—just like Grandma used to make. A perfect balance of sweet and citrusy, it’s the ultimate drink for warm weather, celebrations, or a simple slow afternoon on the porch.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 6 cups
- Category: Beverage
- Method: No Cook
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegan
Ingredients
Units
Scale
- 1 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice (from about 5-6 lemons)
- 3/4 to 1 cup granulated sugar or honey (adjust to taste)
- 4 -5 cups cold water
- Ice (for serving)
- Lemon slices and fresh mint (optional for garnish)
Instructions
- Juice the lemons. Roll each lemon on the counter to loosen the juices, then cut and squeeze them until you get 1 full cup of juice. Strain to remove seeds if desired.
- Sweeten the juice. In a pitcher, stir the lemon juice with sugar or honey until it is fully dissolved. Alternatively, you can heat 1 cup of water on the stove to make a simple syrup if you prefer.
- Add water. Pour in the remaining 3–4 cups of cold water, stir, and taste. Adjust sugar or water to suit your taste preferences.
- Serve. Fill glasses with ice, then pour the lemonade over them, and garnish with lemon slices or mint.
Notes
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For a stronger lemon flavor, reduce the water slightly.
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To make it a sparkling lemonade, replace 2 cups of cold water with carbonated water.
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Store leftovers in the fridge up to 3 days.
