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A glass of freshly squeezed lemonade with lemon slices and ice cubes

Lemonade

Learn how to make refreshing lemonade with this proven recipe, featuring three essential tips for the perfect balance of sweet and tart.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Total Time 10 minutes
Servings: 4 people
Calories: 150
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Main Ingredients
  • 1 cup fresh lemons
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 4 cups cold water
  • ice for serving
Optional garnishes
  • lemon slices
  • mint sprigs

Equipment

  • citrus juicer
  • large pitcher
  • spoon

Method
 

Instructions
  1. Juice the fresh lemons to get one cup of lemon juice; set aside.
  2. In a large pitcher, combine the granulated sugar and one cup of hot water, stirring until the sugar completely dissolves.
  3. Add the fresh lemon juice and remaining three cups of cold water to the pitcher, then stir well.
  4. Taste the lemonade and adjust the sweetness or tartness to your preference by adding more sugar or lemon juice.
  5. Chill the lemonade in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes, or until thoroughly cold.
  6. Serve the lemonade over ice, garnished with lemon slices or mint sprigs if desired.

Notes

For extra flavor, infuse the sugar syrup with herbs like basil or rosemary. Always use fresh lemons for the best taste. You can also make this ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.