Best Homemade Lemonade Video

Fresh-squeezed homemade lemonade is my drink of choice. It is not too sweet and is perfectly thirst-quenching. For a yummy twist, try our Best Homemade Lemonade, Strawberry Lemonade, and Frozen Strawberry Lemonade!

The BEST Summer Drink!

Nothing says summer quite like fresh lemonade!! Arizona citrus season is actually in the winter, so we enjoy fresh lemonade in our perfect-to-be-outside weather. Then I like to freeze bags of fresh-squeezed juice for use all year long, whether in lemon main dishes or lemon desserts! Whether we are enjoying it in the summer or winter, fresh lemonade is our favorite drink. It is refreshing and so easy to make! This version uses a simple syrup as the sweetener so it does require a bit extra time, but the result is worth it! I’ve included a few tips for getting the most juice out of your lemons. You are going to want as much of this homemade lemonade recipe because it’s the BEST. 😉

How to make lemonade

Lemonade is perfect to have on hand for a hot summer day, but we enjoy this drink year-round! PREP. To get the most juice from the lemons you will want to soak them in HOT water for about 10 minutes. SYRUP. While the lemons are soaking make the syrup: Add the sugar and 1 cup of water to a small saucepan and bring to a boil. Stir until the sugar has dissolved. Remove from heat and allow to cool. Once it has reached room temperature cover the syrup and place it in the fridge to chill for 30 minutes. JUICE. After soaking the lemons allow them to cool enough to handle. Firmly roll each lemon on the countertop a few times. Cut the lemons in half and juice them. Remove all the seeds, but leave the pulp. Set juice aside until the syrup has chilled. COMBINE. Mix the lemonade by adding the chilled syrup, lemon juice, and 7 cups of water to a pitcher. Stir and serve.

Save For Later!

STORE lemonade in the fridge for about 5 days. FREEZE the lemon concentrate. Make the syrup as directed and mix it with the squeezed lemon juice. Freeze it in a freezer Ziploc for up to 5 months. When you’re ready to use, add the concentrate to 7 cups of water. Stir until combined.

Getting the Most Juice From Your Lemons

You really want to get the most juice out of each of your lemons and there are a couple of tricks to accomplish that.

Recipe Tips

We love to dress this homemade lemonade up when serving it. This best lemonade recipe deserves to look as good as it tastes! Dress it up. I think a really pretty presentation makes this homemade lemonade recipe taste even better. Here are some of my favorite presentation ideas:

Adding lemon slices to the drink makes it so pretty. You can even go a step further and freeze the lemon slices first so you can cool the drink without diluting it with traditional ice cubes. Top with a simple sprig of fresh mint. Add fresh sliced strawberries or raspberries into the pitcher. It looks pretty and will add a hint of flavor. Rim the drinking glasses with sugar: Simply dip the rim of the glasses in some lemon juice and then into a bowl of sugar. Let dry.

Variations. Change up the flavors in this fresh lemonade recipe with some simple additions!

Limeade. Simply substitute the lemons with limes. So simple! Berry lemonade. To make strawberry or raspberry lemonade, place berries into a bowl with some sugar. Let them sit and then mash them. Mix the puree into the lemonade to whatever taste preference you desire (or check out our favorite Strawberry Lemonade). Watermelon lemonade. Mix in equal parts Watermelon Juice (or to taste). Herb infused. Try infusing the lemonade with a few sprigs of lavender, rosemary, or basil for a more herbaceous flavoring. (Just be sure to strain as you serve).