Homemade Lemonade Recipe
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5.0
69 reviews
Excellent
Homemade Lemonade Recipe
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This easy homemade lemonade is made with fresh lemons and plenty of fresh flavors. It doesn't require cooking a simple syrup. It is quick, delicious, and refreshing - a summer crowd-pleaser!
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Ingredients
- 8 large lemons*
- 2 cups sugar (or 1 1/4 cup honey)
- 8 cups water
- 1-2 lemons , sliced for garnish (optional)
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Instructions
- Wash lemons thoroughly with soap or vegetable spray, and warm water. Roll lemons firmly on the counter until they become soft. This will help them to release their juice.
- Cut and juice the lemons using a citrus juicer.
- Strain the lemon juice into a pitcher to remove any seeds and excess pulp.
- Dissolve the sugar by stirring it into the fresh lemon juice until fully combined.
- Add 8 cups of water to the lemon syrup (about 2 cups), mix well. Taste it and add more sugar or lemon juice if necessary. Serve over ice.
- You can garnish the lemonade in the pitcher with lemon slices and fresh mint leaves.
- Optional method: Instead of juicing the lemons, place the sliced lemons in a bowl with the sugar and mash them until all the juice is extracted. This method releases the fragrant citrus oils from the lemon peel and gives the lemonade an even bolder, more vibrant flavor. Strain the lemon syrup, then add water and stir.
Notes
- Small Batch Lemonade: If you’re craving just a glass or two of fresh lemonade, it’s easy to scale down the recipe. Simply use the ratio of 1/2 lemon, 1 tablespoon sugar, and 1 cup water per serving. Squeeze the lemon juice, stir in sugar until dissolved, then add water and mix.
- * After you mash the lemons according to the recipe instructions, you should get 2 cups of lemon juice. If you are using smaller lemons, you would need between 8-10 lemons.
- As written, this lemonade has the perfect amount of sweetness for me, but it goes without saying that you could adjust the sweetness or lemon flavor to taste.
- For best flavor, use freshly squeezed lemon juice from real lemons, not store-bought bottled lemon juice. Bottled lemon juice doesn't taste as good as lemon juice from fresh lemons. It usually has some things added to it and the flavor is not quite right. It's definitely better to make your homemade lemonade with real lemons.
- When purchasing lemons, choose large ones that give to gentle pressure; avoid lemons that still have some green spots. Hard lemons have thicker skin and yield less juice.
- Also, if possible use Meyer lemons - they are sweeter and juicier than other lemon varieties. They make an amazing lemonade with a delicious sweet flavor. They are usually in season in the winter and spring months.
- To extract the most lemon juice, before you cut them, roll each lemon over your cutting board with the palm of your hand, pressing down as you do. This will help them to release their juice.
- For a fuller, more complex lemon flavor, macerate lemon slices with the sugar in a bowl, and store them in the fridge for about 30 minutes if possible. Mashing the lemon slices with sugar (or your choice of sweetener) helps to extract the oils in the lemon peel and adds more of the fragrant citrus flavor.
Nutrition Information
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Calories
154kcal
(8%)
Carbohydrates
40g
(13%)
Protein
0.01g
(0%)
Fat
0.1g
(0%)
Polyunsaturated Fat
0.001g
Sodium
10mg
(0%)
Potassium
2mg
(0%)
Fiber
0.02g
(0%)
Sugar
40g
(80%)
Vitamin A
0.2IU
(0%)
Vitamin C
0.4mg
(0%)
Calcium
6mg
(1%)
Iron
0.03mg
(0%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 10cups
Amount Per Serving
Calories 154 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 154kcal | 8% |
| Carbohydrates | 40g | 13% |
| Protein | 0.01g | 0% |
| Fat | 0.1g | 0% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.001g | 0% |
| Sodium | 10mg | 0% |
| Potassium | 2mg | 0% |
| Fiber | 0.02g | 0% |
| Sugar | 40g | 80% |
| Vitamin A | 0.2IU | 0% |
| Vitamin C | 0.4mg | 0% |
| Calcium | 6mg | 1% |
| Iron | 0.03mg | 0% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
Genuine Reviews
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5.0
69 reviews
Excellent
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