A Mason jar filled with lemonade with lemons floating in it on a yellow place mat in an outdoor dining setting

Homemade Lemonade and summer belong together just like grilling and summer. But let’s face it, when there are multiple steps involved in a recipe, we tend to procrastinate those recipes. That’s why my fresh squeezed homemade lemonade uses a recipe cheat.

It’s ahhh-mazingly delicious y’all. I promise. Once you learn to make it this way, you’ll never go back to making simple syrup.

Ingredients for Homemade Lemonade

5 or 6 Fresh ripe lemons
Water
Sugar

You can’t beat a recipe which only requires a few simple ingredients. I expect you probably already have the water and sugar so the only thing you need to add to your grocery list is a few fresh lemons.

Equipment Needed for Making Homemade Lemonade

Fruit juicer like this one I use shown in the picture
2 quart pitcher
Cutting Board
Knife
Mesh strainer
Tall Stirring Spoon

See my product recommendations under the recipe

Lemons on a wood cutting board next to a lemon juicer and an empty glass pitcher

Juicing the Lemons

My fruit juicer is vintage and been in my family longer than I even know. It was my Mom’s and I love using it. Juicing lemons requires a little elbow grease but it isn’t hard to do. You squeeze the lemon while pressing down and watch the juice ooze out, seeds and all.

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A mesh strainer over a pitcher with lemon juice being poured through it

Strain Out The Seeds and Pulp

A mesh strainer is such a handy tool to have in the kitchen. I love that mine rest perfectly on top of my vintage glass pitcher which was a fun estate sale find. It reminds me of my Grandma’s house which is why I couldn’t pass it up when I saw it that day. My mesh strainer is also vintage with an almond green handle from the 70’s.

When your juicer bowl is getting full, just pour the contents through the strainer which catches all of the pulp and seeds saving you the struggle of fishing out seeds.

Lemons on a cutting board and a glass of homemade lemonade

Adding Sugar and Water

Although my recipe calls for 1 1/2 cups of sugar, I’m going to teach you how to measure for your own personal taste.

Once you are finished squeezing the lemons for your homemade lemonade it’s time to add sugar and water.

I add to my 2 quart pitcher with the lemon juice already in the bottom, one cup of granulated sugar then fill the pitcher about 2/3 of the way full with warm tap water, stirring while adding. The warm water helps the sugar to dissolve.

Time for a taste test. I’m expecting you to want more sweet right now. Add the other 1/2 Cup of sugar and continue to stir while filling with more warm tap water.

Do Not Fill The Pitcher Up To The Top With Water Just Yet!

How To Stir and Taste To Create Your Own Personal Homemade Lemonade Recipe

Do not fill your pitcher too full with water just yet! Give yourself another taste test. If you are a fan of really sweet lemonade, you need a little more room for the lemonade to rise in the pitcher if you want to add more sugar. At this point, I’d only add more sugar in 1/4 cup increments, taste testing after stirring well.

Just keep stirring and adding sugar followed by a taste test until you have reached the perfect level of sweetness you know your crew will love.

Write it down y’all. If you squeezed 5 medium lemons and wound up using 2 cups of sugar, make a note of that. Chances are excellent, this will be your personal taste every time you make Homemade Lemonade for your family.

Fresh ripe lemons cut and whole on a cutting board next to a juicer

Add lemons to your grocery list and surprise your crew with a big cold pitcher of sweet homemade lemonade.

Keep scrolling down to print or download recipe

Love a good Sweet Summer Treat? We do too! Try these ideas too:

Take a southern summer favorite, Sweet Iced Tea and add a southern crop, peaches. You get this Southern Brewed Ginger Peach Sweet Iced Tea Recipe which is a nice treat for summer porch sitting in the evenings or even serving your guests for your summer soiree.

Another summer fruity beverage we love is this Watermelon Mint Lemonade which is made with a simple syrup and a great way to get more lemons in your diet too. Did you know lemons have fiber?

Lemonade and Sweet Iced Tea take a back burner to this scrumptious fun loving summer treat, Homemade Chocolate Filled Ice Cream Soda! It isn’t possible to let summer slip by without making these at least once.

Do you make homemade ice cream in the summer too? Here is another lazy cook recipe we love, No-Churn Ice Cream Chocolate Toffee Flavor. Be creative and switch up the flavors.

Is Milkshake on your list of Best Ever Summer Desserts? If you said yes, make this one at home and add sprinkles to the rim of the glasses like we do for an extra special treat.

2 quarts

Easy Homemade Lemonade Recipe

Name: Easy Homemade Lemonade Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Total time: 10 min
Yield: 2
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 5-6 Ripe lemons; Water; About 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 10 minutes

A fresh squeezed sweet homemade lemonade recipe without making a simple syrup first. Our recipe cheat is one you will save for creating your own personal homemade lemonade recipe.

Ingredients

5-6 Ripe lemons
Water
About 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar

Instructions

Slice and juice the lemons
Pour the juice into a 2 quart pitcher through a mesh strainer to exclude the pulp and seeds
Add 1 Cup sugar to the lemon juice
Fill with warm tap water to about 2/3 of the way up the pitcher, stirring while filling to dissolve the sugar. Do not completely fill with water just yet
Taste test for your desired sweetness
Add the other 1/2 Cup of sugar and stir to dissolve and continue to fill the pitcher with warm tap water leaving about an inch away from full. Taste test again
If you still want more sweetness, add sugar 1/4 cup at a time stirring while adding and taste testing after stirring.
Chill in the refrigerator for several hours and serve over ice filled glasses.

Notes

Chill your glasses in the freezer for several hours before serving

Thin sliced lemons can be added to each glass for looks and a flavor boost

Lemonade is fun to drink through a straw

Recommended Products

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Have you seen the popular pub game called Ring and Hook? We played it at someone’s home and had to make our own. It’s addictive and an easy way to play outside for people of all ages.

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