Fresh Lemonade Recipe
This fresh lemonade recipe uses simple ingredients—lemons, sugar, and water—to create a bright, refreshing drink. Scale it for one glass or a gallon, and customize it with Splenda or fruit add-ins for a healthier or more creative twist.
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Servings: 6 glasses
Calories: 120kcal
Equipment
- Citrus juicer or reamer
- Pitcher
- Saucepan (for simple syrup)
- Wooden spoon or whisk
- Measuring cups
Ingredients
- 1 cup fresh lemon juice about 4–6 lemons
- 1 cup sugar or Splenda/honey as alternative
- 1 cup hot water for syrup
- 3 cups cold water
- 2 cups ice cubes
- Lemon slices for garnish
- Variations
- 1 Gallon Fresh Lemonade Recipe: 2 ½ cups lemon juice 2 ½ cups sugar, 16 cups water.
- Fresh Lemonade Recipe with Splenda: Replace sugar with ¾ cup Splenda.
- Fruit Twist: Add 1 cup strawberry or raspberry puree to the pitcher.
Instructions
- Juice lemons until you have one cup of lemon juice. Strain to remove seeds.
- In a saucepan, dissolve sugar in 1 cup hot water to make simple syrup. Let cool slightly.
- Pour lemon juice, syrup, and cold water into a pitcher. Stir well.
- Fill glasses with ice and pour lemonade over top.
- Garnish with lemon slices and serve immediately.
Notes
For a healthier fresh lemonade recipe, replace sugar with honey or Splenda.
Make ahead: Store in the fridge for up to 3 days. Stir before serving.
Add herbs like mint or basil for a refreshing twist.
Freeze lemonade in ice cube trays to chill future batches without dilution.
Nutrition
Calories: 120kcal | Carbohydrates: 31g | Sodium: 10mg | Potassium: 120mg | Sugar: 29g