This homemade lemonade is made with freshly squeezed lemons and homemade syrup to deliver that classic lemonade flavor like no other.

A 1.5 litre glass pitcher full of lemonade with lemon slices behind two glasses of lemonade with ice cubes. Whole and sliced lemons in background.

Homemade Lemonade Overview

There aren't many beverages charming as a glass of homemade lemonade. It's sweet, tangy, and refreshing, and partners well with summertime. You'll only need fresh lemons, sugar, and water.

First, a simple syrup is made by simmering sugar and water on the stove. Next, it's added to a pitcher along with freshly squeezed lemons and water. This is chilled in the fridge and then ice is added just before serving.

Closeup of whole lemons and sliced lemons on a cutting board with a juicer at the bottom and white bowl of lemon juice on the side.

Recipe Ingredients

8 cups water
1 cup granulated sugar
1 ½ cups lemon juice - 8 lemons, seeds removed - Or bottled lemon juice
2 cups ice cubes

Two overhead images in one: 1. White pot with water and sugar. 2. White pot with sugar dissolved.

How To Make Homemade Lemonade

Full ingredients and instructions are also in the recipe card at the bottom of this blog post.

STEP 1: Add 1 cup water and 1 cup sugar in a saucepan over medium-low heat. Stir slowly until the sugar has dissolved, about 2-3 minutes. Remove from the heat and let this cool, then add to a pitcher.

Three overhead images in one: 1. Cutting board with squeezed lemons, lemon juice in a bowl and a hand juicer. 2. Pitcher with sugar water. 3. Pitcher with lemon juice added to sugar water.

STEP 2: While that's cooling, juice 8 lemons. Cold lemons are difficult to juice, make sure they're at room temperature. Press firmly with your palm and roll them on the counter. Cut them in half, and use a juicer or your hands to squeeze 1 ½ cups of fresh lemon juice into the pitcher. Stir together with the liquid sugar.

Three overhead images in one: 1. Water added to fill pitcher. 2. Lemons and ice added to pitcher. 3. Closeup of lemonade in a glass with lemon slice on rim. Lemons and the pitcher are in the background.

STEP 3: Lastly add 7 cups of water and stir. Place the pitcher in the fridge until chilled. Adding ice now will dilute the mixture. If adding ice and lemon slices, do so just before serving.

closeup of a full glass pitcher of lemonade with sliced lemons inside. whole and sliced lemons sit in background

Recipe Tips

You'll need about 1 cup of lemon juice for every 4 cups of water. 6 lemons provide roughly 1 cup of fresh lemon juice.
A rule of thumb for the ratio is 1:1:3 - one part lemon juice, one part sugar, and three parts water. After this is achieved, adjust to your tastes. If it's tart, add more sugar, too sweet? Add more lemon juice.
A pinch of salt can help reduce the bitterness of the lemons and enhance their flavor. Add small amounts and test as you go.
Chill this beverage before adding ice. Chilling with ice will dilute it. Instead, add ice just before serving.
Always use fresh lemons for the best results because bottled lemon juice will deliver a different flavor.

How to store

Refrigerate - This can be stored in the fridge up to a week. I recommend giving it a stir before drinking.

Variations

To make pink strawberry lemonade. Blend strawberries into a puree and mix with the lemonade. Or you can try adding sliced strawberries or cranberry juice.
To make mint lemonade, add 6-10 fresh mint leaves to a bowl containing 1 cup of homemade lemonade. Muddle them around, and add them to the pitcher of lemonade.
To make sparkling lemonade, replace the water in Step 3 with sparkling water. It won't stay sparkling for long so serve immediately.

a full glass of lemonade with ice and a slice of lemon as garnish on edge of glass. Lemons and full pitcher of lemonade sit in the background

Grab Your Free Recipe Guides

Hey, foodie friends! Don’t miss my Free Recipe Guides featuring all my popular dishes, ready for you to print and enjoy! Sign up for my member's library for instant access to over 20 delicious guides, and I’m always adding more!

✨ And while you're at it, come hang out with me on Pinterest and Facebook for even more tasty inspiration!

Tried this recipe? I’d love it if you shared it with your friends! ? And don’t forget to leave a review using the stars in the recipe card below—I can’t wait to hear what you think! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐