Description
This refreshing homemade lemonade features the perfect balance of tart, freshly squeezed lemon juice and a silky smooth simple syrup. By dissolving sugar into water before mixing, you avoid any gritty texture, resulting in a crisp, clean drink that puts store-bought alternatives to shame. Ideal for outdoor gatherings, this non-alcoholic citrus beverage is cooled to perfection to ensure the sharp lemon oils meld beautifully with the sweetness for a professional, thirst-quenching experience.
Ingredients
6 large fresh lemons (yielding 1.5 cups juice)
1.5 cups granulated sugar
6 cups water (divided: 1 cup for syrup, 5 cups for dilution)
Ice cubes as needed
Fresh mint sprigs for garnish
Instructions
Combine 1 cup of water and the sugar in a small saucepan over medium heat.
Stir constantly until the sugar dissolves completely and the mixture is clear.
Remove from heat and allow the syrup to cool to room temperature.
Roll the lemons firmly on the countertop to maximize juice flow.
Slice lemons in half and juice them using a citrus reamer or press.
Strain the fresh juice through a fine-mesh sieve to remove pulp and seeds.
Whisk the lemon juice into the cooled sugar syrup.
Stir in the remaining 5 cups of water.
Chill in the refrigerator for at least one hour.
Serve over ice and garnish with mint if desired.
Notes
Using filtered water for both the syrup and dilution improves the final flavor profile. Letting the lemonade chill for at least an hour allows the citrus oils to fully infuse the syrup base. If you prefer a thinner lemonade, you can add an extra cup of water to taste.
- Prep Time: 10
- Cook Time: 5
- Category: Summer Desserts
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American Summer
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 glass (approx 10 oz)
- Calories: 160
- Sugar: 40g
- Sodium: 5mg
- Fat: 0g
- Saturated Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 42g
- Fiber: 0.5g
- Protein: 0.5g
- Cholesterol: 0mg