Delicious & refreshing Lemonade! This is an easy recipe that makes 6 cups of perfect sweet lemonade each and every time.
Homemade Lemonade Is The Best!
Everyone loves a tall, cold glass of lemonade, especially during spring or those hot summer months. With just a few simple ingredients, you can make a refreshing drink that’ll impress your friends and family every time.
The Key To Sweetening It Perfectly
So what’s the secret to perfectly sweetened lemonade every single time? Use simple syrup instead of regular sugar!
Simple syrup means you can make this lemonade with cold water straight from the fridge. Regular sugar doesn’t dissolve well in cold liquid, so simple syrup is the trick for a truly cold drink without any gritty, unsweetened sips at the bottom of the glass.
Mix both types of citrus to make lemon-limeade. So good!
🩷 xo, Ana
Ingredients:
- Fresh lemon juice from whole lemons. Nothing beats fresh citrus juice!
- The sweetener: I like to use simple syrup but agave syrup is also a great choice.
- Cold water.
- Garnish: sliced limes wedges and mint. Optional.
I found the perfect ratio for a delicious sweet lemonade to be 1 cup simple syrup + 1 cup lemon juice + 4 cups of water.
My preferred non calorie sweetener is Truvia and after that is Stevia in the raw as I think they have the best natural flavor without overpowering the drink with an aftertaste.
It all depends on how juicy your lemons are and their size. Typically it will take about 4 large juicy lemons .
How To Make Lemonade
Making Limonada could not be easier than this!
- Grab your lemons and get squeezing – you’ll need about 4 large ones to get a full cup of juice. A handheld squeezer makes quick work of it.
- Pour the lemon juice into a big pitcher, then add your simple syrup and cold water right on top.
- Give it a good stir until everything’s combined, then pour over a glass packed with ice. Cheers to that.
Variations
This drink is a versatile and can be customized to suit your taste. Here are a few variations you can try:
- Add sparkling water for a fizzy twist.
- Infuse the limonade with fresh herbs like basil or thyme for a unique flavor.
- Mix in fruit juice like strawberry or raspberry for a fruity kick.
Buying guide
- Look for lemons that are heavy for their size. This means they are juicy and have a higher water content, which is what you want.
- Check the skin for firmness and smoothness. A good lime/lemon will have a firm, smooth skin without any blemishes or soft spots.
- Smell the lime/lemon. If it smells fresh and citrusy, it’s probably a good one. If it doesn’t smell like anything or has a musty odor, it may not be as fresh.
How to get the most juice out of a lemon or lime
If you want to get the most juice out of your lemon, there are a few tips and tricks you can use to make the process easier and more efficient. Let’s take a look!
- Roll it: Roll your lemon on a hard surface with your hand to break down the pulp and make the juice easier to extract. This can be done before or after cutting the lemon.
- Microwave it: If you’re in a hurry, you can microwave your lemon for 10-15 seconds to help it release more juice. Be sure to cut the lemon in half before microwaving it.
- Use a citrus reamer: A citrus reamer is a handy tool that can help you get every last drop of juice out of your lemon. Simply cut your lemon in half, place it on top of the reamer, and twist it back and forth to extract the juice.
- Squeeze it: If you don’t have a citrus reamer, you can squeeze your lemon by hand or with a juicer. To do this, cut your lemon in half and use a fork or lemon squeezer to press down on the fruit and extract the juice.
- Heat it up: If your lemon is cold, you can try warming it up by placing it in warm water for a few minutes. This can help the juice flow more easily.
- Use a mesh strainer: If you want to remove any pulp or seeds from your lemon juice, you can strain it through a mesh strainer.
Ana’s Recipe Tips
- Bottled lemon juice works in a pinch, but fresh makes a real difference here – it’s brighter and less bitter.
- Taste as you go. If you like it sweeter, add a splash more simple syrup. Prefer it tart, cut back a little.
- Make a big batch ahead of time and keep it in the fridge for spur-of-the-moment refills all week.
- How to Store
- Fridge: Fresh limonada should be stored in an airtight container, such as a glass jar or plastic bottle, and refrigerated immediately after it is made. The container should be tightly sealed to prevent air from entering, which can cause the juice to spoil more quickly.
- Freezer: Use a freezer-safe container like a plastic jug. It’s important to leave some space at the top of the container as the juice will expand when it freezes.
- Defrosting: Thaw in the fridge overnight. Alternatively, you can also thaw it at room temperature for a few hours.
Print Recipe
Perfectly Sweet Lemonade
Ingredients
- 1 cup fresh lemon juice (about 4 large lemons)
- 1 cup simple syrup
- 4 cups cold water
- Ice for serving
Instructions
- Using a lemon squeezer or your hands, juice the lemons until you reach one cup.
- In a large pitcher, add the lemon juice, the simple syrup & water.
- Mix well and enjoy over a glass filled with ice.
Notes
Private Notes
Nutrition
Lemonade FAQs
Yes you can! Just juice the lemons or limes, place the juice in a freezer bag and store for up to 6 months.
Could be you’re using old lemons or the lemons were not ripe enough. Avoid scraping the white pith that lies right beneath the peel. The pith makes it bitter.
Homemade limonada lasts in the fridge, up to 7 days.
Limonade can be a healthier option when made with fresh ingredients and without too much added sugar. Some of the citrus nutritional benefits is high vitamin c, antioxidants and magnesium.
This low carb lemonade turned out perfectly sweet and the amount of water is just perfect!