Old-Fashioned Lemonade

Tart, lemony, and just sweet enough. This lemonade recipe is easy to make with no straining, no syrups, and 3 basic ingredients.

It’s kind of a weird technique, but you’ll never go back to another method after you try this one. It’s the absolute best way to get the freshest lemon flavor and will be a hit with anyone who loves lemon recipes.

A large glass pitcher filled with homemade lemonade, ice cubes, and lemon slices, with filled glasses beside it, all ready to serve.

Old-Fashioned Lemonade

Tart, lemony, perfect. This is an easy method that gives you the best lemonade EVER.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Serving Size 6

Ingredients 

  • 2 cups fresh squeezed lemon juice about 10-12 lemons
  • 1 lemon sliced thin
  • cup granulated sugar
  • 8 cups cold water
  • lemon slices for garnish
  • fresh mint leaves optional, for garnish

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Instructions 

  • Squeeze the lemons. Juice the lemons to make 2 cups of lemon juice and set aside. (Remember you need 1 sliced lemon for step 2.)
    squeezed lemon juice in measuring cups
  • Mash sliced lemon and sugar. Using a potato masher, mash lemon slices and sugar in a deep bowl until slices release their juice and sugar begins to dissolve.
    bowl of sliced lemon and sugar before and after mashing
  • Mix. Add water and lemon juice and stir, until the sugar completely dissolves. (This may take a few minutes!) Remove lemon slices.
    A bowl of lemonade mixture on a kitchen counter with a wooden spoon, showcasing the blend of lemon juice and sugar, ready to be stirred.
  • Chill the lemonade. Refrigerate the lemonade until cold, or serve immediately over ice.
    The same bowl of lemonade mixture now being stirred, with bubbles forming on the surface, indicating the sugar dissolving into the juice.
  • Garnish and serve. Serve the lemonade with fresh lemon slices and mint leaves for garnish.
    Close-up of a glass of homemade lemonade with ice, garnished with a lemon slice and mint leaf, showing the refreshing texture and cool condensation on the glass.

Notes

You must use fresh lemons! There are no substitutes.
Adjust the sweetness by adding more or less sugar according to your taste.
If you need to chill it fast: fill a larger bowl with ice and cold water. Place your container of lemonade in it. Stir to help it cool down faster.
 
Calories: 137kcal | Carbohydrates: 36g | Protein: 0.1g | Fat: 0.2g | Saturated Fat: 0.02g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.01g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.002g | Sodium: 1mg | Potassium: 43mg | Fiber: 0.1g | Sugar: 34g | Vitamin A: 2IU | Vitamin C: 16mg | Calcium: 3mg | Iron: 0.1mg

This easy, refreshing recipe is the classic lemonade you’ve always wanted. So many recipes are too sweet or just don’t taste like lemon. Not this one! It’s just right.

Close-up of a glass of lemonade on a coaster, topped with ice, a fresh mint leaf, and a lemon slice, with more lemon slices and a bowl of lemons in soft focus in the background.

You can try adding other fruits and substituting things. But I love it best just the way it is.

What You’ll Need

Just the basics here, folks.

Fresh Squeezed Lemon Juice. Fresh lemons are absolutely vital.

Granulated Sugar. You can use honey or agave syrup as a healthier alternative. It will slightly alter the flavor.

Overhead view of lemonade ingredients laid out on a countertop, including sliced lemons, sugar, a bowl of juice, and mint leaves, with a patterned yellow lemon cloth alongside.

Mint Leaves (optional). Fresh mint leaves are available in the produce or herb section. But honestly they’re just about the easiest thing to grow!

Lemon Slices for Garnish. Just to make it beautiful!

Citrus Juicer. A citrus juicer is essential for squeezing the most of the juice from lemons.

Potato Masher. A potato masher meant for mashing lemon slices with sugar. It helps release the oils and essence from the lemon rind.

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Fine Mesh Strainer. A fine mesh strainer is crucial for removing the lemon seeds and pulp.

Large Pitcher. It should be big enough to hold the entire batch.

Lemonade Tips

Lemon Selection: Choose lemons that are firm, heavy for their size, and have a bright yellow color.

Room Temperature Lemons. Before juicing, bring your lemons to room temperature. Or, roll them on the countertop.

Taste as You Go: Lemon sizes and flavors vary, so it’s important to taste your lemonade as you mix it. Adjust the sugar and water according to your taste preferences.

Serving Options: For a pretty touch, serve the lemonade in chilled glasses. You can also rim the glasses with sugar or salt if you’re super fancy.

Storage and Make Ahead Instructions

  • Refrigeration: Pour the lemonade into a clean container or pitcher. Store it in the refrigerator. It will stay fresh for about 5-7 days.
  • You can freeze lemonade. Pour it into a freezer-safe container. Leave some space at the top because the liquid will expand when frozen. You can also freeze it in ice cube trays for easy, portion-sized servings. Frozen lemonade can last for up to 4 months. When you’re ready to drink it, thaw the lemonade in the refrigerator overnight.

Homemade Drinks You’ll Love

Homemade lemonades and teas are easy to make and always worth the effort. Here are some more recipes you’ll love.

This classic recipe is perfect for parties, having a few friends over, or just tucking into the fridge for your family. I hope you love it and it becomes your new go-to lemonade recipe ❤️.

A close-up of a glass of ice-cold lemonade garnished with a lemon slice and a sprig of mint, with two other glasses and a pitcher of lemonade blurred in the background.
picture of smiling female

By Katie Shaw

Katie lives in Virginia with her husband, three daughters, a chocolate lab, and over thirty chickens. She loves creating simple tutorials for sourdough, bread, and soap. Her recipes, articles, and YouTube videos reach millions of people per year.

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Recipe Rating




3 Comments

  1. 5 stars
    I love lemonade 🍋 and I can’t wait to make this. what I like is all the fresh ingredients and the fact you can alter the sugar x