Homemade Lemonade

This homemade lemonade recipe is just the thing for a hot summer day. Made with 3 simple ingredients, it's sweet, refreshing, and deliciously tart.

Homemade lemonade

We’re way overdue for a homemade lemonade recipe on Love & Lemons, don’t ya think? I can’t tell you how it happened that I never thought to post one until now, but I can tell you that this recipe was 100% worth the wait. The freshly squeezed lemonade is easy to make with just 3 ingredients, and it’s sweet, refreshing, and deliciously tart. Served over ice, it’s everything I crave on a hot summer day.

This lemonade recipe makes a big batch, so it’d be a great refreshment for your next cookout or BBQ. However, you can easily scale it down if you’re serving a smaller group. Garnish glasses with basil or mint leaves for an aromatic, summery twist, or keep things classic and top each one with a fresh lemon slice. Enjoy!

Fresh lemon juice, sugar, and basil leaves on marble background

Homemade Lemonade Recipe Ingredients

You only need a few simple ingredients to make this homemade lemonade recipe:

  • Fresh lemons, of course! When you’re making homemade lemonade, fresh-squeezed lemon juice is a must. Skip the bottled lemon juice, please!
  • Simple syrup – For sweetness. Make a traditional simple syrup with equal parts granulated sugar and water, or infuse it with fresh basil or mint for an unexpected twist.
  • Cold water – It dilutes the lemon juice and simple syrup, balancing the tart and sweet flavors.
  • And ice – For a cold, refreshing drink.

Find the complete recipe with measurements below.

Pitcher and glasses of homemade lemonade

How to Make Lemonade

My method for how to make lemonade is super simple!

  • First, you’ll make the simple syrup. Try the basil variation for a more complex infused lemonade.
  • Next, juice the lemons. Halve and squeeze lemons until you have 3 cups of lemon juice, or less if you’re making a scaled-down batch. Tip: a good juicer will serve you well here!
  • Then, stir it all together. Pour the simple syrup, lemon juice, and water into a pitcher and stir in a couple handfuls of ice.
  • Finally, taste and adjust. The best part of making homemade lemonade is that you get to adjust the balance of flavors to your liking! If you prefer a sweeter drink, add more simple syrup. If you like yours nice and tart, add more lemon.

Pour into glasses filled with ice and top with your desired garnishes. We like lemon wheels and/or sprigs of fresh basil.

Enjoy the lemonade on its own, or serve it as part of a summer meal with classic cookout fare like veggie burgers, pasta salad, fruit salad, and corn on the cob.

Lemonade recipe

More Favorite Summer Drinks

If you love this fresh lemonade recipe, try one of these summer drinks next:

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Homemade Lemonade

rate this recipe:
5 from 10 votes
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes
Serves 8 to 10
Made with freshly squeezed lemon juice, this homemade lemonade recipe is SO refreshing on hot summer days! Feel free to scale it up or down as needed depending on how many people you're serving.

Ingredients

  • 1 cup simple syrup, plus more to taste
  • 6 cups water
  • 3 cups fresh lemon juice
  • Ice
  • Lemon wheels, for garnish
  • Fresh basil, for garnish, optional

Instructions

  • Make the simple syrup according to this recipe. For classic lemonade, make the plain simple syrup. We also love the basil simple syrup in this recipe.
  • In a large pitcher, place the water, lemon juice, simple syrup, and ice. Stir to combine. Taste and add more simple syrup if desired.
  • Pour into glasses filled with ice and garnish with lemon wheels and fresh basil, if desired.

4 comments

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Rate this recipe (after making it)




  1. Max
    08.02.2023

    How many lemons do you need for 3 cups?

    • Phoebe Moore (L&L Recipe Developer)
      08.04.2023

      Hi Max, the amount of juice in lemons can vary, but I’d estimate about 12 for this recipe.

  2. Richard Baartjies
    06.28.2022

    5 stars
    Excellent recipes

A food blog with fresh, zesty recipes.
Photograph of Jeanine Donofrio and Jack Mathews in their kitchen

Hello, we're Jeanine and Jack.

We love to eat, travel, cook, and eat some more! We create & photograph vegetarian recipes from our home in Chicago, while our shiba pups eat the kale stems that fall on the kitchen floor.