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Old Fashioned Homemade Lemonade

There is nothing more refreshing than a glass of old fashioned homemade lemonade. This recipe is simple and easy to make on a hot day!

Homemade Lemonade

There are two situations when I make freshly squeezed homemade lemonade. On a hot summers day and when the tree is bursting with lemons that need using. It’s such a delicious drink that is a favourite of everyone!

Make a large batch to serve at a bbq or to sip on during the day, or keep it as a concentrate to mix with water when you want a glass.

You can find all my other lemon recipes here.

Why this is the BEST Homemade Lemonade

  • Only three ingredients, lemon juice, sugar and water
  • Quick and easy to make – only 15 minutes
  • So much more flavourful than bought lemonade
  • Can be scaled down to one glass or up to a large batch
Old Fashioned Lemonade

Homemade Lemonade Recipe

Homemade Lemonade only requires 3 ingredients, lemon juice, sugar and water. What’s really important is the method as all these ingredients mixed together doesn’t taste at all like lemonade and the sugar will just fall to the bottom.

We need to make a simple syrup first to then mix with the lemon juice, creating a homemade lemonade concentrate. Add water and ice and enjoy!

Lemonade History

Versions of lemonade are found all throughout the world. The oldest known version of lemonade was from the 12th or 13th century in Egypt, it was a beverage including lemon, dates and honey.

Lemons for Lemonade

Homemade Lemonade Syrup

The base of homemade lemonade is a syrup which then water and ice is added. Depending on how much lemonade you would like to make you can just make the syrup, store it in the fridge, and just use it for a glass or two at a time.

Homemade Lemonade Ratio

The ratio of lemonade syrup to water is 1:2. For every one cup of lemonade syrup just add 2 cups of water but this can be scaled down to 1/2 cup of lemonade syrup and 1 cup of water.

Everything is always to taste so you may like it stronger or weaker than this!

How to make homemade lemonade

Tips and Tricks

  • Simple Syrup – The simple syrup for this recipe can also be used in other drink and cocktail recipes. It will keep in the fridge for 2 weeks.
  • Switch up the water for soda water – If you prefer your lemonade fizzy just switch up the water for sparkling or soda water.
  • Roll the lemons before juicing them – Roll the lemons on your work surface, applying a medium amount of pressure. This loosens them up, meaning you get more juice out!
  • Pick juicy lemons – Lemons that are a little softer and heavier than others are much more juicy!
  • Always use fresh lemons – Freshly squeezed lemon juice has the best flavour, stay away from lemon juice in a bottle for this recipe.
best lemonade

Homemade Lemonade Variations

Fizzy Lemonade

Switch the water in this recipe for soda water to make the lemonade fizzy. It will flatten over time so just make enough for what is going to be served.

Limeade

Switch out the lemons for limes to make limeade. A combination of lemons and limes can also be used.

Strawberry Lemonade / Pink Lemonade

Add 1 cup of strawberry puree to the lemonade concentrate to make strawberry lemonade.

Lemonade with Honey

Add 1/4 cup of honey to the sugar and water when making the simple syrup. Alternatively you can add a small squeeze of honey to your glass of lemonade and mix it to combine.

Homemade lemonade ingredients

Old Fashioned Lemonade Ingredients

  • 1 Cup / 200g White Sugar
  • 1 Cup / 250ml Water
  • 1 Cup /250ml Lemon Juice – Freshly Squeezed
  • 4 Cups / 1L Water
  • Ice

How to Make Old Fashioned Lemonade

In a small saucepan add the sugar and the first measure of water.

Heat over medium low until the sugar has fully dissolved into the water.

Leave the simple syrup mixture to cool for 10-15 minutes while juicing the lemons.

simple syrup

Use a lemon juicer to juice about 6 or 7 lemons until you have one cup of lemon juice. You may need more or less lemons depending on their size.

Juiced lemons

Measure out 1 Cup or 250ml of the simple syrup and mix with the cup of freshly squeezed lemon juice. This makes the lemonade syrup.

To serve add the lemonade syrup to a pitcher. Top up the pitcher with 4 cups or 1L of water, a few handfuls of ice and some slices of lemon.

Homemade Lemonade Syrup

FAQ

How long does homemade lemonade last?

Homemade lemonade will last in the fridge for up to 7 days. If you would like to keep it longer than 7 days keep the lemonade as a concentrate or syrup and add the water when you serve it, it will last like this for 2 weeks.

Can Lemonade be frozen?

Yes the homemade lemonade syrup can be frozen. Just place it in an airtight container and into the freezer. Defrost it fully before mixing with water to make lemonade.

What are the best lemons to make Homemade Lemonade with?

Most lemons will works for homemade lemonade they can just have varying amounts of juice. Myer lemons are a little sweeter than normal lemons so pick these if you prefer your lemonade on the sweeter side.

How to make Homemade Lemonade without sugar

If you would like to make your lemonade sugar free you will just need to pick a sweetener. Liquid sweeteners work much better as these can just be mixed with lemon juice and water.

More Lemon Recipes

Old Fashioned Homemade Lemonade

Old Fashioned Homemade Lemonade

Yield: 5 Cups
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes

There is nothing more refreshing than a glass of old fashioned homemade lemonade. This recipe is simple and easy to make on a hot day!

Ingredients

  • 1 Cup / 200g White Sugar
  • 1 Cup / 250ml Water
  • 1 Cup / 250ml Lemon Juice
  • 4 Cups / 1L Water
  • Ice
  • Lemon Slices

Instructions

  1. In a small saucepan add the sugar and the first measure of water.
  2. Heat over medium low until the sugar has fully dissolved into the water. Leave the simple syrup mixture to cool for 10-15 minutes while juicing the lemons.
  3. Use a lemon juicer to juice about 6 or 7 lemons until you have one cup of lemon juice. You may need more or less lemons depending on their size.
  4. Measure out 1 Cup or 250ml of the simple syrup and mix with the cup of freshly squeezed lemon juice. This makes the lemonade syrup.
  5. To serve add the lemonade syrup to a pitcher. Top up the pitcher with 4 cups or 1L of water, a few handfuls of ice and some slices of lemon.

Notes

Homemade Lemonade Concentrate

The lemonade concentrate can be stored in the fridge and mixed with water at a ratio of 1 part lemonade syrup and 2 parts water. This can be scaled down to 1 glass of lemonade or a larger batch.

Storage

The lemonade will keep in the fridge for up to 7 days. The lemonade concentrate will keep for up to 2 weeks.

How to make Homemade Lemonade without sugar

If you would like to make your lemonade sugar free you will just need to pick a sweetener. Liquid sweeteners work much better as these can just be mixed with lemon juice and water.

Nutrition Information:
Yield: 10 Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 82Total Fat: 0gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 0gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 11mgCarbohydrates: 21gFiber: 0gSugar: 20gProtein: 0g

Nutrition information is estimated and not always accurate

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