This summer, ditch the canned powder and make your own homemade lemonade. With just three simple ingredients, you can enjoy a refreshing glass any time.
There’s nothing more refreshing on a warm summer day than an ice-cold glass of homemade lemonade.
This recipe is so simple to make. I usually keep a jar of simple syrup in the fridge throughout the summer so I’m always ready to whip up a pitcher- or even just a glass- of homemade lemonade. It’s especially good with fresh-squeezed lemon juice, but, really who has time- or money- for that? I use the bottled version and I’ve never had any complaints. Plus, it means there’s no trip to the grocery store standing between me and a glass of this.
So many people are used to powdered or bottled versions of lemonade. Those varieties might do in a pinch, but this homemade recipe is so simple to make. Wow the guests at your next summertime gathering by throwing together a batch of homemade lemonade.
Homemade Lemonade
Ingredients
2 c. sugar
10 c. water, divided
2 c. lemon juice
Instructions
In a medium saucepan, combine sugar and two cups of water. Stir together and bring to a boil over high heat, stirring occasionally. When the mixture boils and the sugar is dissolved, remove it from the heat and allow it to cool. Store cooled mixture in a sealed container in the refrigerator until you’re ready to mix up the lemonade.
To make the lemonade, combine the remaining eight cups of water, the lemon juice, and one and half to two cups of simple syrup in a large pitcher. Stir together well and adjust the amounts of simple syrup or lemon juice based on your preferences. Serve chilled over ice.
Great Blogger Barbecue
With the unofficial start of summer next week, it’s almost barbecue season! In celebration, I’ve teamed up with several fellow bloggers to bring you 50 recipe ideas for a smashing summer shindig. See all the recipes for our Great Blogger BBQ below!
Appetizers
Korean BBQ Tofu Sliders with Kimchi Slaw by Hello Little Home
Corn, Black Bean, and Feta Dip by Lizzy is Dizzy
Crab, Bacon & Guacamole Crostinis by That Square Plate
Cocktails and Drinks
Blackberry Gin Slush by The Speckled Palate
Homemade Lemonade by Winstead Wandering
Blood Orange Mocktail by Body Rebooted
Fleur Collins Cocktail by Hungry Girl por Vida
Fourth of July Sparkler by Mixplorology
Black Stripe Cold Rum Cocktail by Honey and Birch
Fresh Watermelon Mojito by Twin Stripe
Mint Hibiscus Lemonade by The Little Epicurean
Wine Slushy by Living Well Kitchen
Basil Gin Lemonade by Glisten and Grace
Entrées
Salt Plate Shrimp by The Mexitalian
Jamaican Jerk Chicken Burgers by Simple and Savory
Roasted Vegetable Grilled Pizza with Garlic Herb Oil by Ciao Chow Bambina
Memphis Style Pulled Pork by Two Places at Once
Balsamic & Honey Chicken Skewers with Strawberry-Kiwi Salsa by No Spoon Necessary
Amazing Basic Spice Rub for Grilling by An Oregon Cottage
Mediterranean Chicken Kebabs by PasadenaDaisy
Smoked Porchetta Pork Loin by Tasty Ever After
Pressure Cooker Pulled Pork by Appeasing a Food Geek
Peach Barbecue Sauce by The Beach House Kitchen
Tuna Stuffed Sweet Peppers by SugarLoveSpices
Herb Marinated Steak Gyros Plates with Tomato-Onion Salad and Green Tahini Sauce by Feed Me Phoebe
Marinated Skirt Steak with Sweet Corn and Cherry Salad by Domesticate ME!
Sweet & Sour Chicken Kebabs by Tastefully Frugal
Side Dishes
Caprese Pasta Salad by Club Narwhal
Cranberry Almond Broccoli Salad by Two Sisters Kitchens
Coconut Milk Mac & Cheese by A Little Gathering
Cherry Quinoa Salad by Food Lovin Family
Cheddar, Corn and Bacon Potato Salad by Family Food on the Table
Lemon Rocket Pasta Salad by Lauren Caris Cooks
Green Goddess Potato Salad by Love & Flour
Red White & Blue Watergate Salad by A Joyfully Mad Kitchen
Zesty Potato Skewers by Pamela Salzman
Quinoa Tabouli by A Fork’s Tale
Desserts
Banana Pudding Ice Cream Cake by Feast + West
Strawberry Beer Floats by bethcakes
Cherry Cheesecake Dessert by The Little Blonde Baker
Light Berry Angel Food Cake by The Creative Bite
Lemon Cream Tarts with Berries by Girl Heart Food
Fresh Strawberry Muffins by Spiced
Lemon Pie Sundae by Flavours & Frosting
Strawberry Lemon Shortcakes by Dash of Herbs
Grasshopper Pie by 2 Cookin’ Mamas
Berry Mango Smoothie Pops by HÄLSA Nutrition
Mixed Berry Vanilla Bean Cake by Cake ‘n Knife
No Churn Cookies and Cream Strawberry Ice Cream by The Secret Ingredient Is
Coconut Blueberry & Vodka Ice Pops by Nik Snacks
Strawberry Key Lime Margarita Greek Yogurt Ice Pops by Beer Girl Cooks
Cherry & Rhubarb Tart by Crepes of Wrath
This looks so good! I LOVE homemade lemonade! I like to rub my sugar in the lemon rinds to get extra tartness. Thank you for being a part of the Great Blogger BBQ!
Thanks, Susannah! That’s a brilliant idea; I’ll have to try it next time. Thank you putting together a fun roundup!
Oooh I’ve never thought of using simple syrup to make lemonade, genius! This looks so dang refreshing!
Thanks, Cristina! It’s definitely refreshing, and the simple syrup makes it easy to mix up just a glass at a time.
I could drink this all summer long. Thanks for sharing with us all.
Thank you, Charlene! I tend to enjoy it throughout the whole summer 🙂
Yum, this sounds amazing! I’ve never made lemonade from scratch before and now I want to try 😉
Thank you, Amy. You should go for it! I think it’s totally worth it.
I was once friends with a chef who made us homemade lemonade – it was probably the best I have ever tasted. Simple syrup is the key to the tastiest homemade lemonade. Yours looks absolutely divine!
Thank you, Jessica! It does feel like such a fancy treat, but it’s really pretty easy.
What an amazing round up! Love all of these delightful ideas!
Thanks, Kelsie! You’re right, there are so many talented bloggers here and they nailed it with these recipes!
Hmm, I wonder if it’s possible to substitute honey for the sugar here. Might give it a nice floral flavor 🙂
I’ve been wondering about using honey. I’ve thought about coconut sugar, too. Let me know if you try it!
I wish I had a glass of this right now! It sounds so refreshing and wonderful.
Thanks, Jenna! It’d be perfect for this summer heat.
I was *just* looking for a good scratch made lemonade recipe! This looks awesome! I can’t wait to try it.
(And there is no shame in bottled citrus juice. Colorado is so dry that fruits dry out fast and often only have a tiny amount of juice, so I may get 1/2 cup out of 6 lemons. Ain’t nobody got time for that!)
Another hint is to add just a touch (maybe 1/2 tsp.) vanilla extract to the pitcher of homemade lemonade! You won’t believe the difference that makes!
Ooh, I’ll have to try that! I’m kind of a vanilla extract junkie. Thanks for the tip, Cindy!
I love homemade lemonade! This looks like a great recipe. Pinning now to make later.
Thank you, Katie! It’s one of my favorites. I hope you love it, too!
We make homemade lemonade every other day in our house, year round! 🙂 It’s the only thing that my 10 year old will drink, besides chocolate milk. This is almost the exact recipe we use, just not as much sugar, she likes it a bit tart.
My kids have recently become big lemonade fans. I love making it one glass at a time because I prefer mine a little more on the tart side, too.