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How to Make Homemade Lemonade
4.8 from 87 votes

How to Make Homemade Lemonade

Homemade Lemonade is made by juicing fresh lemons and combining the juice with a hot simple syrup created by dissolving sugar in water. The syrup and lemon juice form a concentrate that can be diluted with water before serving to adjust sweetness and tartness. This method produces a balanced and refreshing drink that highlights natural lemon flavor with sweetened smoothness.

Prep Time
15 mins
Total Time
15 mins
Servings: 8 cups
Calories: 275 kcal
Course: Drinks
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

  • 5 pounds lemon plural
  • 2 cups water
  • 2 cups granulated sugar

Instructions

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  1. Cut lemons in half. Juice each lemon through a strainer into a large measuring cup. Keep juicing until you have 2 cups of lemon juice.
  2. Pour water into a medium-size saucepan over medium-high heat. Stir in sugar. Continue cooking over heat until sugar is dissolved and liquid looks clear again.
  3. Combine sugar solution with lemon juice to create a lemonade concentrate.
  4. When ready to serve, add water to the lemonade concentrate to taste. For a stronger lemonade, add less water. For a less sweet, more sour lemonade, adjust the ratio of simple syrup to lemon juice by adding more lemon juice or less simple syrup.

Notes

  • The lemonade concentrate can be frozen in a gallon-sized freezer bag laid flat and thawed before use.
  • Replace sugar with honey in equal amounts for honey-based lemonade.
  • For a sugar-free version, substitute sugar with 1/4 cup stevia powder.
  • Add fresh fruit like strawberries or raspberries blended into prepared lemonade for flavored variations.

Nutrition Information

Serving 1cup Calories 275kcal (14%) Carbohydrates 76g (25%) Protein 3g (6%) Sodium 9mg (0%) Potassium 391mg (8%) Fiber 7g (28%) Sugar 56g (112%) Vitamin A 60IU (1%) Vitamin C 150.2mg (167%) Calcium 76mg (8%) Iron 1.7mg (9%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 8 cups

Amount Per Serving

Calories 275

% Daily Value*

Serving 1cup
Calories 275kcal 14%
Carbohydrates 76g 25%
Protein 3g 6%
Sodium 9mg 0%
Potassium 391mg 8%
Fiber 7g 28%
Sugar 56g 112%
Vitamin A 60IU 1%
Vitamin C 150.2mg 167%
Calcium 76mg 8%
Iron 1.7mg 9%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.