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๐Ÿฅ˜Recipes by Nani
Drinks

Refreshing Homemade Lemonade

Nothing beats the taste of real, fresh squeezed lemonade made with a simple sugar syrup.

By Recipes By Naniยท ๐ŸŒ Americanยท July 18, 2026
Refreshing Homemade Lemonade
recipesbynani.com
Prep
10 minutes
Cook
5 minutes
Total
15 minutes
Serves
6

I know lemonade seems simple, but once you try it with fresh lemon juice and homemade simple syrup, you will never go back to the powdered mixes again. It is the perfect drink for a hot day and tastes so much brighter than anything you can buy in a bottle.

The secret is using simple syrup instead of regular sugar. It dissolves perfectly into the cold water so you do not get any gritty bits at the bottom of your glass. My family loves this specific ratio, but you can always add more water or sugar if you prefer your drink a little different.

๐Ÿงบ Ingredients

  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 cup water (for the simple syrup)
  • 1 cup fresh squeezed lemon juice
  • 3 to 4 cups cold water (to dilute)
  • Ice cubes for serving
  • Lemon slices for garnish

๐Ÿ‘ฉโ€๐ŸณInstructions

  1. 1

    Combine the sugar and 1 cup of water in a small saucepan over medium heat.

  2. 2

    Stir the mixture until the sugar has completely dissolved and the liquid is clear, then remove it from the heat to cool.

  3. 3

    Squeeze your lemons until you have 1 cup of fresh juice, making sure to remove any seeds.

  4. 4

    In a large pitcher, combine the cooled simple syrup, the lemon juice, and 3 cups of cold water.

  5. 5

    Give everything a good stir and taste it. You can add the extra cup of water if you prefer a milder flavor.

  6. 6

    Serve over plenty of ice and add lemon slices to the pitcher for a pretty touch.

๐Ÿ’ก Tips

Store any leftover lemonade in the refrigerator for up to three days. If you want to get creative, try muddling a few fresh strawberries or a handful of mint leaves in the pitcher before serving.

Made this recipe? Let us know how it went.

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