Lemonade Recipe with Lemon Juice is the quintessential summer drink, known for its crisp, tangy flavor that can instantly quench your thirst on a hot day. While you can easily grab a bottle of store-bought lemonade, there’s nothing quite like the taste of homemade lemonade made with freshly squeezed lemon juice. In this article, we’ll take you through a simple yet delicious Lemonade Recipe with Lemon Juice for making lemonade from scratch.
Ingredients for making Lemonade Recipe with Lemon Juice:
- 4-6 fresh lemons
- 1 cup of granulated sugar (adjust to taste)
- 6 cups of cold water
- Ice cubes
- Lemon slices and mint leaves for garnish (optional)
Instructions:
1. Prepare the Lemons:
- Start by washing the lemons thoroughly to remove any dirt or residue from the skin.
- Roll each lemon gently on a countertop while applying slight pressure. This will help loosen the juice inside the lemons and make them easier to juice.
2. Squeeze the Lemon Juice:
- Cut the lemons in half crosswise. Use a citrus juicer or a handheld reamer to extract the juice from the lemon halves. You can also use your hands to squeeze the juice, but be sure to remove any seeds that may fall into the juice.
3. Create the Lemonade Base:
- In a saucepan, combine one cup of granulated sugar with one cup of water. Heat the mixture over medium heat, stirring constantly until the sugar completely dissolves. This creates a simple syrup.
- Allow the simple syrup to cool for a few minutes.
4. Mix the Lemonade:
- In a large pitcher, combine the freshly squeezed lemon juice, the simple syrup, and the remaining 5 cups of cold water. Stir well to combine. Taste the lemonade and adjust the sweetness or tartness by adding more sugar or water, if necessary.
5. Chill and Serve:
- Add ice cubes to the pitcher or individual glasses to make the lemonade extra cold.
- You can garnish your lemonade with lemon slices and a sprig of mint for an added touch of freshness.
6. Enjoy:
- Pour the homemade lemonade into glasses and serve immediately.
Tips:
- If you want a more intense lemon flavor, you can add lemon zest to the simple syrup as it cools.
- For a sparkling version of lemonade, replace some of the water with sparkling water or soda.
- You can also experiment with flavored lemonades by adding ingredients like berries, ginger, or herbs to infuse different flavors into your homemade lemonade.
Homemade lemonade made with fresh lemon juice is a delightful treat that’s perfect for picnics, BBQs, or simply sipping on a lazy afternoon. It’s a classic drink that never goes out of style and is sure to please your taste buds with its bright, zesty flavor. So, the next time you have a surplus of lemons, give this homemade lemonade recipe a try and experience the pure, refreshing taste of summer in a glass.
