How to Make Lemonade

Lemonade is one of the childhood delicacies that you never truly grow out of. While it might just be a simple concoction of various parts lemons, water, and sweet things, mixing up a huge batch of homemade lemonade is always a special occasion.

Maybe you're missing the nostalgic taste of fresh lemons or you simply want a little inspiration for a tasty beverage you can make at home enjoyed by both kids and adults. Either way, you've found your way here to our guide on how to make lemonade from scratch.

This might not be the drink you remember as a kid, though, but in the best way possible. Our recipe is a slightly more sophisticated and mature take on the drink while still being just as easy to put together. Whether it's for a party, a front yard stand, or just to cool off in the summer heat, this step by step guide for making lemonade with real lemon will knock your socks off long before you jump in the pool.

Cut the lemons into halves.

Pour the water into a large pitcher and squeeze in the lemons.

Add the sugar and vanilla extract to the pitcher.

Stir the mixture until the sugar is completely dissolved.

Serve in individual glasses with ice. You can add some basil leaves to serve if you wish.

Now you've got everything you'll need to make lemonade. A single sip of this stuff will so thoroughly outpace the stuff you buy in a can or mix up from a powder that you might even forget there was a way to do it besides making it fresh.

One of the best things about it is just how easy it is to change up, too. You could make a version without sugar by swapping in honey or try muddling the basil or other plants for a spicier and more herb-forward flavor. So long as you're using quality ingredients with lemon juice straight from the fruit, you basically can't go wrong.

Do you have a favorite way to drink lemonade? On the rocks by itself? Mixed in a cocktail? Relaxing by the beach? Let us know what your favorite is after you've stirred up a pitcher for yourself.