Homemade lemonade mixes fresh lemon juice, water, and sugar in a simple pitcher. Chill it and pour over ice just before serving.
The measured recipe and complete sequence are in the card below. Read the method once before starting, then keep the ingredients close by.
Table of Contents
What you need
Gather and measure the ingredients before starting. Keep optional adjustments small so the finished texture remains predictable.
- 6 cups filtered water
- Juice from 7 fresh lemons
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- Mint leaves and lemon slices, optional garnish
How to prepare it
Measure the water and juice into a pitcher, dissolve the sugar completely, then refrigerate. Add ice only when serving so the batch does not dilute in storage.
For food handling and leftovers, see FoodSafety.gov’s four steps to food safety.
The order matters: prepare the base first, add the remaining ingredients, then follow the sequence in the card. Check the final texture and seasoning before serving.
Serving and storage
Serve cold. Keep the pitcher covered in the refrigerator between servings.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to cook a sugar syrup?
No. Stir the sugar directly into the water and lemon juice until dissolved.
When should ice go in?
Add it to the glasses at serving time rather than the stored pitcher.
Conclusion
The card below keeps the ingredient amounts, cooker setting and timing together. Use the visual doneness cues in addition to the clock.
Recipe card
PrintHomemade Lemonade
Homemade lemonade mixes fresh lemon juice, water, and sugar in a simple pitcher. Chill it and pour over ice just before serving.
- Prep Time: 10 mins
- Cook Time: No cook
- Total Time: 10 mins plus chilling
- Yield: 8 1x
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
- 6 cups filtered water
- Juice from 7 fresh lemons
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- Mint leaves and lemon slices, optional garnish
Instructions
- Pour the water and freshly squeezed lemon juice into a large pitcher.
- Add the sugar and stir until no visible crystals remain. Taste after mixing so the tartness and sweetness can be judged together.
- Cover and chill. Pour into ice-filled glasses and garnish with mint or lemon slices if desired.
