How to Make Lemonade

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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.

Decorative mason jars with lemonade and basil.

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.

Step #1. Prepare Ingredients

A tall, glass pitcher of water and lemons in a bowl.
  • 4-6 lemons, depending on taste
  • 4 cups water
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1 tsp. vanilla extract
  • Basil leaves (optional)
  • Ice
  • Pitcher

Step #2. Cut the Lemons in Half

A pitcher of water and a lemon.
A pitcher of water and a lemon cut in half.

Cut the lemons into halves.

Step #3. Add Water & Lemon Juice to Pitcher

A woman's hand squeezing lemon into a tall pitcher of water.

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.

Step #4. Add Sugar & Vanilla

A tall pitcher of lemonade, a woman's hand pouring sugar in.

Add the sugar and vanilla extract to the pitcher.

A tall pitcher of lemonade, a woman's hand pouring vanilla in.

Step #5. Stir the Lemonade

Pitcher of lemonade, a woman's hand mixing with a wooden spoon.

Stir the mixture until the sugar is completely dissolved.

Step #6. Pour the Lemonade into Glasses

Decorative mason jars filled with ice.

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

Decorative mason jars filled with lemonade.
Decorative mason jars filled with lemonade.
Decorative mason jars filled with lemonade.

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.

Decorative mason jars with lemonade and basil.

How to Make Lemonade

Joss D
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.
5 from 8 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe Save Recipe
Prep Time 10 mins
Total Time 10 mins
Course Drinks
Cuisine American
Servings 4
Calories 228 kcal

Ingredients
 
 

  • 4-6 lemons - depending on taste
  • 4 cups water
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1 tsp. vanilla extract
  • Ice
  • Basil leaves - optional

Instructions
 

  • Cut the lemons into halves.
    A pitcher of water and a lemon cut in half.
  • 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.
    A woman's hand squeezing lemon into a tall pitcher of water.
  • Add the sugar and vanilla extract to the pitcher.
    A tall pitcher of lemonade, a woman's hand pouring sugar in.
  • Stir the mixture until the sugar is completely dissolved.
    Pitcher of lemonade, a woman's hand mixing with a wooden spoon.
  • Serve in individual glasses with ice. You can add some basil leaves to serve, if you wish.
    Decorative mason jars with lemonade and basil.

Equipment

Pitcher

Notes

  • 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.

Nutrition

Calories: 228kcalCarbohydrates: 60gProtein: 1gFat: 1gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 1gSodium: 15mgPotassium: 152mgFiber: 3gSugar: 53gVitamin A: 24IUVitamin C: 57mgCalcium: 36mgIron: 1mg

Nutrition information on In the Kitch is provided as a courtesy and is an estimate only. It may not include toppings and/or sauces.

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Looking to further enhance your cooking skills? Check out…How to Make Kale Chips

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Recipe Rating




  3. 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’.

    Reply

    1. 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!

      Reply
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