Lemonade
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Beat the heat with refreshing homemade lemonade—tart, sweet, and just waiting to be infused with fresh mint, berries, or a splash of something boozy!
There’s nothing quite like fresh-squeezed lemonade on a hot day. It’s so versatile—you can infuse it with fresh herbs like mint or basil, toss in a handful of berries for a fun twist, or add a splash of vodka or gin for a boozy grown-up version. The secret to this delicious lemonade recipe is starting with a simple syrup. This blend of sugar and water, simmered until the sugar dissolves, ensures your lemonade is smooth and perfectly sweetened with no grainy sugar at the bottom of the glass. Whether you’re setting up a homemade lemonade stand with the kids or just enjoying it on your porch, this drink is perfect for lazy summer afternoons, backyard barbecues, or whenever you need a refreshing treat.
What You’ll Need To Make Homemade Lemonade
Pro tip: To get the most juice out of your lemons, roll them on the counter with your palm before juicing with a citrus reamer or juicer. Also, note that the flavor of lemonade can intensify as it chills, making the lemon juice’s acidity more pronounced. Additionally, chilling allows any added infusions, like herbs or berries, to release their flavors into the drink.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Make the Simple Syrup: Combine the sugar and 1 cup of the water in a small saucepan. Bring to a simmer over medium heat and cook until the sugar is dissolved, 2 to 3 minutes. Set aside to cool.
Mix the Lemonade: In a glass pitcher, combine the lemon juice, the remaining 4 cups of water, and the cooled simple syrup. Stir to combine.
Add the lemon slices and chill until ready to serve. If you’d like, you can add more lemon juice to taste. Serve over ice.
Fresh lemonade will keep in the fridge for about 5 days. Make sure to store it in an airtight container to maintain its freshness and prevent it from absorbing other flavors from the fridge, and give it a good stir before serving.
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Lemonade
Ingredients
- 1 cup sugar
- 5 cups cold water, divided
- 1 cup fresh lemon juice, from 6 to 8 lemons
- 1 lemon, thinly sliced
Instructions
- Make the Simple Syrup: Combine the sugar and 1 cup of the water in a small saucepan. Bring to a simmer over medium heat and cook until the sugar is dissolved, 2 to 3 minutes. Set aside to cool.
- Mix the Lemonade: In a glass pitcher, combine the lemon juice, the remaining 4 cups of water, and the cooled simple syrup. Stir to combine. Add the lemon slices and chill until ready to serve. Serve over ice.
Notes
Nutrition Information
This website is written and produced for informational purposes only. I am not a certified nutritionist and the nutritional data on this site has not been evaluated or approved by a nutritionist or the Food and Drug Administration. Nutritional information is offered as a courtesy and should not be construed as a guarantee. The data is calculated through an online nutritional calculator, Edamam.com. Although I do my best to provide accurate nutritional information, these figures should be considered estimates only. Varying factors such as product types or brands purchased, natural fluctuations in fresh produce, and the way ingredients are processed change the effective nutritional information in any given recipe. Furthermore, different online calculators provide different results depending on their own nutrition fact sources and algorithms. To obtain the most accurate nutritional information in a given recipe, you should calculate the nutritional information with the actual ingredients used in your recipe, using your preferred nutrition calculator.
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