Refreshing Homemade Lemonade
This recipe guides you through creating a perfectly balanced, zesty, and sweet lemonade from scratch. By making a simple syrup, you'll ensure a smooth, consistently sweet drink with no gritty sugar at the bottom.
Ingredients
- 1 ¾ cup Granulated Sugar
- 8 cup Water
- 1 ½ cup Freshly Squeezed Lemon Juice
- Ice Cubes
- Fresh Lemon Slices Optional for garnish.
Instructions
- The secret to perfectly smooth lemonade is to make a simple syrup first. In a small saucepan, combine the 1 ¾ cups of sugar and 1 cup of water. Place the saucepan over medium heat. Stir continuously until the sugar has completely dissolved and the liquid is clear. Once dissolved, remove the saucepan from the heat and set it aside to cool slightly. This step prevents any grainy texture in your final drink.
- While the syrup is cooling, it's time to juice your lemons. Pro Tip: To get the most juice out of your lemons, make sure they are at room temperature. Firmly roll each lemon on your countertop before cutting and juicing. Cut the lemons in half and squeeze them until you have 1 ½ cups of juice. If you prefer your lemonade without pulp, you can pour the juice through a fine-mesh strainer.
- In a large pitcher, pour the 7 cups of ice-cold water. Add your freshly squeezed lemon juice and the cooled simple syrup. Stir everything together thoroughly with a long-handled spoon until well combined.
- Give your lemonade a taste. This is the perfect moment to adjust it to your liking. If it's too tart, add a little more simple syrup. If it's too sweet, add a splash more lemon juice or cold water. For the best flavor, chill the lemonade in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before serving.
- Fill your serving glasses with plenty of ice cubes. Pour the chilled lemonade over the ice. For an extra touch of elegance, garnish each glass with a fresh slice of lemon or a sprig of mint. Serve immediately and enjoy the refreshing taste!
Notes
Fun Flavor Variations
- Strawberry or Raspberry Lemonade: Blend 1-2 cups of fresh or frozen berries until smooth. Strain the puree through a sieve to remove seeds and stir the fruit juice into your finished lemonade.
- Sparkling Lemonade: For a bubbly twist, substitute half of the cold water with sparkling water or club soda. Add it just before serving to maintain the fizz.
- Herbal Infusion: Add fresh mint, basil, or rosemary to your simple syrup while it's heating up. Let the herbs steep for a few minutes before straining them out for a sophisticated flavor.
- Watermelon Lemonade: Purée fresh watermelon chunks and strain the juice. Mix this fresh juice into your lemonade for the ultimate summer drink.
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