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–+ servings
Close-up of fresh lemonade recipe with lemon slices and mint
Sophie Lane

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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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 5 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Servings: 6 glasses
Course: Drinks
Cuisine: American
Calories: 120
Ingredients Equipment Method Nutrition Notes

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.

Equipment

  • Citrus juicer or reamer
  • Pitcher
  • Saucepan (for simple syrup)
  • Wooden spoon or whisk
  • Measuring cups

Method
 

  1. Juice lemons until you have one cup of lemon juice. Strain to remove seeds.
  2. In a saucepan, dissolve sugar in 1 cup hot water to make simple syrup. Let cool slightly.
  3. Pour lemon juice, syrup, and cold water into a pitcher. Stir well.
  4. Fill glasses with ice and pour lemonade over top.
  5. Garnish with lemon slices and serve immediately.

Nutrition

Calories: 120kcalCarbohydrates: 31gSodium: 10mgPotassium: 120mgSugar: 29g

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.

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