Last summer I decided to figure out how to make lemonade. It turned out that all I needed were a few very simple ingredients for this easy lemonade recipe: lemon juice, simple syrup, and water. I didn’t even have to squeeze lemons if I didn’t want to!
During the summer we drink a lot of water. We can easily go through a gallon a day, often more. But sometimes, the water starts to get boring and I want some flavor in what I’m drinking. I really want lemonade on a hot summer day, but mixes and frozen juices are expensive and just aren’t my thing. So last summer I decided to figure out how to make lemonade.
I knew I was going to need lemon juice, but I didn’t want to spend an hour squeezing lemons. As it turns out, you don’t really need all that much lemon juice to make lemonade. The lemon juice is pretty potent so a little bit goes a long way! But still sometimes I didn’t have lemons around. So I found an alternative – store bought lemon juice. It does have a bit of chemical preservative in it and it doesn’t taste as good as fresh squeezed lemon juice, but in a pinch, it’ll do!
This recipe is for a quart, or 4 cups, of lemonade. Adjust the simple syrup as needed for a sweeter or tarter drink.
Not a fan of lemonade? How about Strawberry Limeade or Iced Coffee for a cool summer drink!
Homemade Lemonade
Ingredients
- 3 1/4 cups water
- 1/2 cup lemon juice
- 1/2 cup simple syrup
Instructions
Combine all ingredients in a large pitcher and stir. Chill and serve.
Whole Foods or Trader Joe’s may have a healthier version of lemon juice without the preservatives.
Thanks for sharing your recipe at Motivation Monday.
Lemonade is a simple and refreshing drink in the summertime and you are right, store bought lemon juice can work just fine. Thanks for sharing on Hearth & Soul Hop. 🙂
I love lemonaid and had no idea how simple it was to make. Thank you so much for sharing this recipe with Delicious Dish Tuesday!
I’m a big fan of homemade lemonade, too! I don’t understand why anyone uses fake lemonade mixes when it’s so easy to make the real thing with bottled lemon juice.
When the weather gets really hot, try this homemade electrolyte replenisher–it’s easy, cheap, and very effective! Basically lemonade with two kinds of salt.
I had no idea it was so easy! I thought I’d need to squeeze bushels of lemons. 🙂
This is such a classic recipe to have! Thanks so much for sharing at Monday Funday!
Take Care,
Trish