A Refreshing Classic Made with Simple Ingredients

Few things capture the essence of summer like a glass of old-fashioned lemonade. This timeless beverage is the perfect balance of sweet and tart, made with fresh lemons, pure sugar, and cold water. Whether you’re cooling off on a hot day, hosting a backyard barbecue, or just craving a nostalgic taste, this lemonade hits all the right notes.

Homemade lemonade not only tastes better than store-bought varieties but also lets you control the sweetness and flavor. With just a few ingredients and a couple of minutes, you’ll have a pitcher of sunshine ready to pour.

Why You’ll Love This Old-Fashioned Lemonade Recipe

This lemonade recipe is simple, natural, and bursting with fresh citrus flavor. It’s made with real lemons and cane sugar—no artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives. It’s perfect for all occasions: summer picnics, family gatherings, or even as a mixer for cocktails.

Plus, it’s super customizable—make it sweeter, tangier, or infuse it with herbs like mint or basil. Kids and adults alike love it, and it can be doubled or tripled for parties. Once you try this homemade version, you’ll never go back to powdered mixes again.

Ingredients (Detailed)

Fresh Lemons – You’ll need about 6–8 medium lemons to get 1 cup of fresh lemon juice. Choose lemons that feel heavy for their size and have thin skin for maximum juice.
Granulated Sugar – Use 1 cup of white sugar. If you prefer natural sweeteners, you can substitute with honey or agave syrup, but this will slightly alter the taste.
Water – You’ll need 5 cups of cold water: 1 cup hot water to dissolve the sugar into a simple syrup, and 4 cups cold water to dilute the lemon juice.
Ice & Lemon Slices (optional) – For serving and presentation, adding ice and a few lemon wheels or wedges enhances both the flavor and the look.

Nutrition Information (Per Serving – approx. 1 cup)

Calories: 120
Carbohydrates: 31g
Sugar: 30g
Vitamin C: 25% DV
Fat: 0g
Protein: 0g
Fiber: 0g
Sodium: 5mg

Make-Ahead Tips

This old-fashioned lemonade recipe is perfect for prepping in advance. In fact, making it ahead allows the flavors to meld and deepen, creating an even more refreshing drink.

You can make the lemon simple syrup (lemon juice + sugar dissolved in hot water) up to 3 days ahead and store it in an airtight container in the fridge. When ready to serve, just add the cold water and ice.

For parties or events, prepare a large batch and chill it in the refrigerator. Add fresh lemon slices, mint, or fruit right before serving for a pretty presentation.

Avoid adding ice until serving time to prevent dilution. If you’re really planning ahead, you can freeze the lemonade in ice cube trays and use those cubes to chill your drink without watering it down. This method keeps every sip bright and bold, just as lemonade should be.

Tips for Making the Best Lemonade

Use freshly squeezed lemon juice rather than bottled juice for the best flavor. Bottled lemon juice tends to taste flat or overly acidic, while fresh lemons offer a vibrant citrus punch and a natural balance of sweetness and tang.

Adjust the sweetness to taste. Everyone’s preference is different, so start with ¾ cup of sugar if you’re unsure. You can always add more later. If you’re making a flavored lemonade (like strawberry or lavender), you may want to reduce the sugar slightly since fruits or syrups may already add sweetness.

Chill your lemonade properly before serving. Letting it sit in the fridge for at least 1–2 hours not only makes it more refreshing but also allows the flavors to mellow and blend together. Serve with plenty of ice, fresh mint, or lemon wheels for a restaurant-quality presentation.

Perfect Old-Fashioned Lemonade Recipe

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