Recipes Drinks Recipes Lemonade Recipes Best Homemade Lemonade Ever 4.8 (3,128) 2,346 Reviews 171 Photos This lemonade recipe makes a very refreshing drink! Submitted by Jo Updated on March 15, 2024 Tested by Allrecipes Test Kitchen Tested by Allrecipes Test Kitchen The Allrecipes Test Kitchen staff are a team of culinary pros who make and vet recipes using only equipment you'd find in a home kitchen. Staff credentials vary but include training at the Culinary Institute of America; kitchen stints in fine dining restaurants; and countless hours in the test kitchen itself. Meet the Allrecipes Test Kitchen Save Rate Print Share 171 171 171 171 171 Prep Time: 10 mins Cook Time: 5 mins Total Time: 15 mins Servings: 10 Yield: 10 8-ounce servings Jump to Nutrition Facts When life gives you lemons, make the Best Lemonade Ever! This aptly named recipe is as good as it gets: Sweet, tart, easy to throw together, and oh-so refreshing. Sweeten your day with our top-rated lemonade recipe (and get our best lemonade serving and storage tips). DOTDASH MEREDITH FOOD STUDIOS Lemonade Ingredients It couldn't be easier to make this homemade lemonade with just a few simple ingredients you probably already have on hand. Sugar and WaterWhat makes this lemonade so special? The recipe starts with a simple syrup, which is just a fancy way of saying the first step is dissolving sugar in boiling water. This ensures the finished drink is totally cohesive and smooth (and it prevents sugar from collecting at the bottom of the pitcher). Lemon JuiceObviously, you'll need lemon juice to make homemade lemonade. Freshly squeezed juice is definitely the way to go if you have fresh lemons available, but bottled juice will work in a pinch. IceThere's nothing like a refreshing glass of ice cold lemonade to cool you down on a hot day. Just make sure to add the ice right before serving — you don't want it to dilute the sweet flavor. How to Make Lemonade Making homemade lemonade is probably way easier than you think (and it's well worth the extra effort). You'll just need to follow a few simple steps. Juice Your Lemons Start by firmly rolling the lemons around on the counter. This will help release the juices and make your job a lot easier. Cut the lemon in half crosswise, then squeeze out the juice by hand or with a juicer. Make sure to juice the lemons over a large measuring cup so you can see exactly how much liquid you have. Make a Simple Syrup It's shockingly simple to make simple syrup on the stove. Just combine sugar and water in a small saucepan, bring the mixture to a boil, and stir it until the sugar is dissolved. Stir Pour cold water into a pitcher. Stir in lemon juice and pulp, then add simple syrup to taste. Serve Serve over ice. If you're feeling fancy, garnish each glass with a fresh lemon slice or a candied lemon peel. How to Store Fresh Lemonade Store homemade lemonade in the fridge for about 5 to 7 days without ice. Since ice will dilute the mixture, it's best to add it right before serving. If the lemonade is in an open pitcher, cover it with storage wrap for maximum freshness. Allrecipes Community Tips and Praise "Tart and sweet ... just how we like it," says Sandy AZ. "If you don't like it that way, let it mellow down with some ice cubes. Will definitely make many more times 'cause I have two lemon trees bursting with fruit." "This was wonderful," raves Melissa. "I served it at a Mother's Day barbecue, and everyone loved it. Since it was served in a large clear container, I floated two lemons sliced into rounds, and also half a bunch of fresh mint leaves. Very pretty, and the mint added a nice touch of flavor." "This is a great recipe," according to PRESTO. "This was my first time making real lemonade, and I will definitely use this recipe again!" Editorial contributions by Corey Williams Ingredients 1 ¾ cups white sugar 1 cup water 9 medium lemons, or more as needed 7 cups ice-cold water ice as needed Directions Gather all ingredients. Dotdash Meredith Food Studios Combine sugar and 1 cup water in a small saucepan. Stir to dissolve sugar while mixture comes to a boil. Set aside to cool slightly. Dotdash Meredith Food Studios Meanwhile, roll lemons around on your counter to soften. Cut in half crosswise, and squeeze into a liquid measuring cup. Add pulp to the juice, but discard any seeds. Continue juicing until you have 1 1/2 cups fresh juice and pulp. Dotdash Meredith Food Studios Pour 7 cups ice-cold water into a pitcher. Stir in lemon juice and pulp, then add simple syrup to taste. Add ice. Dotdash Meredith Food Studios Recipe Tips To make ahead, refrigerate the cooled simple syrup for up to one month. Continue with Step 3 when ready to serve.Nine medium lemons should yield about 1 1/2 cups juice and pulp, but the number required will depend on the size you use. I Made It Print Nutrition Facts (per serving) 145 Calories 38g Carbs 0g Protein Show Full Nutrition Label Hide Full Nutrition Label Nutrition Facts Servings Per Recipe 10 Calories 145 % Daily Value * Sodium 6mg 0% Total Carbohydrate 38g 14% Dietary Fiber 0g 0% Total Sugars 36g Protein 0g 0% Vitamin C 17mg 19% Calcium 9mg 1% Potassium 48mg 1% * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs. ** Nutrient information is not available for all ingredients. Amount is based on available nutrient data. (-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a medically restrictive diet, please consult your doctor or registered dietitian before preparing this recipe for personal consumption. 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