A few notes on ingredients–when you only have a handful of simple ingredients, they all need to be top-notch or you’ll taste something weird. I only use cane sugar (it will say on the bag, but I buy Imperial, C&H, or Domino) because the more inexpensive sugars are made with sugar beets instead of sugar cane and have a mildew-y smell and taste. If you have heavily chlorinated water, make sure you either filter it or consider buying bottled water.
how to make it
To make the lemonade, you’ll start with making a simple syrup by whisking together some sugar and water in a medium saucepan until the sugar dissolves. Bring to a boil over medium heat and boil for 5 minutes and then remove from heat.
While the simple syrup mixture is cooling, juice the lemons or limes. Add the simple syrup mixture to the fruit juice. This step can be done up to 2 days in advance–just store the lemonade/limeade mix in the refrigerator.
A lemonade bar is always fun–set out these syrups, fresh fruit, and herbs and let guests (or your fancy lemonade stand kids) mix up custom lemonades!
When ready to serve, add the lemonade/limeade mix to up to 8 cups of cold, filtered water (or chilled club soda) and serve over ice. If using syrups, add in desired amount of syrup (start with about 2 tablespoons and go from there) and fresh lemon or lime slices or wedges.
Fresh-Squeezed Lemonade and Limeade
Ingredients
- 1 ¾ cups cane sugar see notes
- 2 cups cold filtered water
- 1 ½ cups lemon juice for lemonade or lime juice for limeade or a mix of both if you're wild
- 8 additional cups water for sparkling lemonade, substitute 2 liters of sparkling water/club soda
Instructions
- To make the simple syrup, whisk together sugar and 2 cups water in a medium saucepan until the sugar dissolves. Bring to a boil over medium heat and boil for 5 minutes and then remove from heat.
- While the simple syrup mixture is cooling, juice the lemons or limes. Add the simple syrup mixture to the fruit juice. This step can be done up to 2 days in advance--just store the lemonade/limeade mix in the refrigerator.
- When ready to serve, add the lemonade/limeade mix to up to 8 cups of cold, filtered water (or chilled club soda; adjust water according to taste) and serve over ice.
Questions & Reviews
I know this post was written three years ago, but in looking for a recipe for my daughter’s “Lemonade Day” I found this one (I’m already a big fan. Big fan.). Well, we made 5 gallons of lemonade (got a little carried away buying lemons) and my daughter earned $60! (She’s almost 5, by the way.) It was FA-HAH-HABULOUS lemonade and I’m so excited to freeze the leftover stuff (and keep a little out to have tonight-boozed up a bit. Thanks for ANOTHER great recipe-you two never fail to come through!
AMAZING lemonade!! I live all the way out in Sunny South Africa, so this is appropriate all year round, and boy am I thrilled about that!!
I doubled up the recipe and made it for a family lunch, there wasn’t a dry glass in the house!! Of course, it’s easier now I bought myself a citrus juicer. Juicing a dozen (or more) lemons the old-fashioned way is exhausting!
Huge fan of this blog, thanks for the amazing recipes!!!
There aren’t very many comments here….there need to be more. This is THE BEST lemonade I’ve ever had! It’s delicious!! And with the warmer weather here I am CRAVING it! Sooooo GOOD!! (also good with a little vodka splashed in ;o)
Well I have to say I am sort of a skeptic when it comes to recipes. They always sound so good and are just ok once I make them. I decided to try and make your lemonade and was pleasantly surprised. I love it! I mean love love love it! My husband did too and he is super picky. Thank you so much for this recipe. It will definantly become a regular at our house 🙂
Hi! Where have you been all my life? or more appropriately….where have I been? This is the BEST blog!!! I am making this strawberry lemonade for my family today for mother’s day and wondering if you have ever frozen the sugar syrup and strawberry puree? I bought TONS of lemons and TONS of strawberries and thinking I would make a bunch and freeze. Just thought I would ask the experts.
Thanks!
Hey Jaisey- The strawberry sauce freezes great, and I’ve never frozen simple syrup, but I’m sure that freezes just fine too. Glad you found us!
Hummmmm I have 5 different types of mint. Are you talking peppermint?
YUM!!! Made this this weekend for a BBQ get together. This was the first time I had ever tasted fresh squeezed lemonade (well except for hot dog on a stick, but that doesn’t count because it was not made with love). I must say, you set the bar pretty high. The kids LOVED it and the adults too, I even caught my husband mixing it with vodka (shame, shame!) Thanks for the great recipe ladies!
Delicious! Easy and Refreshing!
After my 5 yr old saw Special Agent Oso making lemonade, he has been asking for some lemons. We finally brought some home with our Bountiful Basket and I put him to work with the lemons. Squeeze, Twist and Push…his fun lemon song. We LOVE your recipe. I am savoring a glass now, nothing wrong with lemonade in December. Just wanted to say thanks for another awesome recipe!
Roosevelt, Utah
I made this for a family reunion this weekend and I cannot get over how INCREDIBLE it was! I am a huge lemonade fan and this was probably the best I've ever had! And I made it – which was more exciting. My husband even requested it on more occasion if lemons are a good price at the market! Thanks!