Easy Lemonade from Scratch Recipe 4-Ingredient Refreshing Drink
A quick and simple homemade lemonade recipe using just four basic ingredients, perfect for a refreshing summer drink with a perfect balance of tart and sweet.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Beverage
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 to 6 medium fresh lemons (to yield about 1 cup or 240 ml of juice)
- 3/4 cup (150 grams) granulated sugar
- 4 cups (960 ml) cold water
- Ice cubes as needed
Instructions
- Roll each lemon firmly on the counter with your palm to break down membranes and make juicing easier (about 5 minutes).
- Cut lemons in half and juice them using a citrus juicer or reamer, aiming for about 1 cup (240 ml) of fresh lemon juice. Strain juice through a fine mesh sieve if desired.
- In a large pitcher, combine 3/4 cup (150 grams) granulated sugar with 1 cup (240 ml) warm water. Stir until sugar dissolves completely.
- Add freshly squeezed lemon juice to the sugar water mixture, then pour in the remaining 3 cups (720 ml) of cold water. Stir well to combine.
- Taste the lemonade and adjust sweetness or tartness by adding more sugar dissolved in water or more cold water as needed.
- Add ice cubes directly to the pitcher or pour lemonade over glasses filled with ice. Garnish with lemon slices or fresh mint if desired.
- For best flavor, chill the lemonade in the refrigerator for 30 minutes before serving.
Notes
Roll lemons before juicing to maximize juice yield. Dissolve sugar in warm water to avoid graininess. Adjust sweetness gradually to taste. Chill lemonade for at least 30 minutes for best flavor. Can substitute sugar with honey or agave syrup, or use sparkling water for fizz.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup (240 ml)
- Calories: 100
- Sugar: 26
- Carbohydrates: 27
Keywords: lemonade, homemade lemonade, refreshing drink, summer drink, easy lemonade, 4-ingredient lemonade, fresh lemon juice