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 how to make lemonade from scratch, with real lemons, will knock your socks off.
Homemade, freshly squeezed 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 this classic summer beverage is always a special occasion.
This recipe is a slightly more sophisticated and gourmet take on the drink while still being just as quick and easy to put together. You're basically just infusing water with fruit without using a juicer, sweetening it and your lemonade is ready to go. It can be enjoyed by both kids and adults.
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🍋Ingredients
- ripe lemons - I like to work with room temperature lemons rather than cold from the fridge. They are actually easier to squeeze this way and I feel like I can get more juice out of them!
- water - Cold tap water or filtered water.
- sugar - I use white granulated sugar but you could also use a simple syrup so that the sugar is already dissolved ahead of time (check out how to make simple syrup here). This will help sweeten and tone down the tartness of the lemons.
- vanilla extract (not pictured) - This is my secret ingredient that makes the BEST lemonade I've ever had.
- basil leaves - The basil is completely optional and I don't always add it but sometimes it's nice for a bit of a flavor booster.
- ice - Have to keep that lemonade nice and chilled.
*Check recipe card for ingredient amounts.
📖Tweaks
One of the best things about it is just how easy it is to change up your classic lemonade.
- Change the sweetener. You could make a version without sugar by swapping in honey.
- Experiment with herbs. Try muddling the basil or other plants for a spicier and more herb-forward flavor or even try a Brazilian style lemonade.
- Add strawberry flavor. Sometimes I will add strawberry-flavored sparkling water or strawberry purée for more fruity flavor, so you could even give that a try.
So long as you're using quality ingredients with lemon juice straight from the fruit, you basically can't go wrong.
🥄Instructions
Step #1. Cut the lemons. Cut the lemons into halves.
Step #2. Add the water and lemon juice. Pour the water into a large pitcher and squeeze in the lemon juice.
Chef's Note: Some lemons will have more juice than others so start out with a few, adding more to taste. You want it to have a good amount of lemon flavor.
Step #3. Sweeten the lemonade. Add the sugar and vanilla extract to the pitcher.
Step #4. Stir the lemonade. Stir the mixture until the sugar is completely dissolved.
Step #5. Fill glasses with ice. Add ice cubes or crushed ice to individual glasses.
Step #6. Pour the lemonade. Pour the lemonade into the glasses. You can add some basil leaves to serve, if you wish.
Step #7. Serve. Serve immediately! 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.
💭Tips
- Catch the seeds. To avoid getting seeds in the pitcher: 1) either use a citrus juicer or 2) squeeze the juice through a small metal strainer 3) squeeze the juice through your clean hand with fingers slightly spread. Your hand will catch the seeds and the juice will pour through.
- Adjust to taste. You can adjust to your taste by adding more water, lemon juice and/or sugar.
- Make it strong. The secret to a good lemonade is to make it strong so that you can serve it nice and chilled over ice. It will remain full of that sweet, lemony flavor when the ice starts to melt into the drink.
- Get more out of your lemons. Try rolling the lemons on the countertop before juicing. This will help loosen the inside of the lemons.
- Add ice to the glass, not the pitcher. Don't add ice to the pitcher. Add it to individual glasses when serving for best results. This way your lemonade won't get watered down.
❓Lemonade Recipe FAQs
While it does vary, each regular size lemon will have approximately 2 tablespoons of lemon juice.
This too will vary, but I use at least 1 lemon per cup of water. It will depend on how much juice is in each lemon and how strong you like your lemonade.
The lemonade should be stored in the fridge and will last for up to one week.
❤️More Refreshing Summer Drinks
Do you have a favorite way to drink lemonade? 🧊 On the rocks by itself? Relaxing by the 🏖️ beach? If you tried this recipe tutorial for 🍋 How to Make Lemonade Step by Step or any other recipe on my website, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it went in the 📝 comments below. And please share the recipe!
📋Recipe
How to Make Lemonade
Ingredients
- 4-6 lemons - depending on taste
- 4 cups water
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ice
- basil leaves - optional
Instructions
- Cut the lemons into halves.
- Pour the water into a large pitcher and squeeze in the lemon juice. Some lemons will have more juice than others so start out with a few, adding more to taste.
- 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.
Equipment
Notes
- Adjusting to taste. You can adjust to your taste by adding more water, lemon juice and/or sugar. Sometimes I will add strawberry-flavored sparkling water, so you could even give that a try.
- Make it strong. The secret to a good lemonade is to make it strong so that you can serve it nice and chilled over ice. It will remain full of that sweet, lemony flavor when the ice starts to melt into the drink.
- Ice tip. Don't add ice to the pitcher. Add it to individual glasses when serving for best results.
- Storage. Lemonade can be stored in the refrigerator for up to one week.
- Catch the seeds. To avoid getting seeds in the pitcher: 1) either use a citrus juicer or 2)squeeze the juice through a small metal strainer 3) squeeze the juice through your clean hand with fingers slightly spread. Your hand will catch the seeds and the juice will pour through.
Nutrition
Nutrition information on In the Kitch is provided as a courtesy and is an estimate only. It may not include toppings and/or sauces.
Vanessa says
This is really good lemonade. The lemon flavor was strong and the vanilla made it taste amazing.
Joss D says
Thanks Vanessa!
Colleen says
There's nothing more refreshing than homemade lemonade, and I definitely need to try the vanilla addition. Thanks for sharing!
Joss D says
Thanks Colleen!
nancy says
What a great idea on adding some vanilla - i've never done that! Thanks for the tip
Joss D says
I love the vanilla. Thanks Nancy!
Bernice says
What a lovely post. Mixing up homemade lemonade is such a treat and something I do on a regular basis. I love being able to control the sugar level because I love mine extra 'puckery'.
Joss D says
Thank you Bernice. It's been our treat too, all summer!
Shelby says
The basil would be so refreshing! This is perfect for the end of summer on the last warm days.
Joss D says
It's definitely a good way to soak up the end of summer. Thanks Shelby!
Nat says
Wow! I’ve never tried to add vanilla extract and basil leaves to my lemonade. What a great idea!
Joss D says
The vanilla in it is the best! I won't have it without it now. And the basil is nice and refreshing. Thanks Nat!
Vanessa says
Love this kicked up version of lemonade! Also tastes great in cocktails!
Joss D says
Wait a minute Vanessa, did you know that I was having a cocktail with this lemonade as the comment came through? lol. So good! Thanks so much for the comment and I'm glad you love it!
Sierra says
I think this might be the best lemonade I’ve ever had. The vanilla really adds to it! My kids loved it.
Joss D says
Thank you so much Sierra!