Description
Make a pitcher of tart and sweet lemonade using fresh lemons and simple syrup. This is an easy, refreshing summer drink.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup fresh lemon juice (about 4-6 lemons)
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup water (for simple syrup)
- 4 cups cold water (for mixing)
- Ice cubes
- Lemon slices for garnish
Instructions
- Make the simple syrup: Combine 1 cup sugar and 1 cup water in a small saucepan. Heat over medium heat, stirring until the sugar dissolves completely. Do not boil. Remove from heat and let cool.
- Squeeze lemons to yield 1 cup of fresh juice. Strain the juice to remove pulp and seeds.
- In a large pitcher, combine the cooled simple syrup, fresh lemon juice, and 4 cups of cold water.
- Stir well to mix all ingredients.
- Taste the lemonade. If you prefer it sweeter, add a little more simple syrup; if you prefer it tarter, add a splash more lemon juice.
- Chill the lemonade in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before serving.
- Serve over ice, garnished with lemon slices.
Notes
- For a crowd, double or triple the recipe quantities.
- If you want pink lemonade, add 1/4 cup of cranberry juice or a few drops of red food coloring.
- For peach lemonade, muddle 1/2 cup of fresh peach slices into the simple syrup while it cools.
- Prep Time: 15 min
- Cook Time: 5 min
- Category: Beverage
- Method: Mixing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 38g
- Sodium: 2mg
- Fat: 0g
- Saturated Fat: 0g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 0g
- Cholesterol: 0mg