Lemonade is one of those things we just take for granted. We know it tastes good – especially on a hot summer day – but how do you make sure it’s always delicious? Simple syrup is the answer.
You’ll find recipes online for making your own, but here’s a quick and easy way to make it without having to go to the store. This is the best lemonade recipe and will definitely ruin your taste buds for any type of grocery store bought lemonade. You won’t believe how much better homemade lemonade is!
INGREDIENTS:
2 1/2 quarts of water
3/4 cup of white sugar
1 cup of freshly squeezed lemon juice (approx. 7 lemons)
How to Make Lemonade
STEPS:
1. Combine sugar and water in saucepan over medium heat. Stir until sugar dissolves. Bring mixture to boil.
2. Remove pan from heat and stir in lemon juice. Let stand 5 minutes. Garnish with lemon wedge and serve chilled over ice or refrigerate up to 7 days.
3. To serve cold, pour into ice cube trays and freeze until solid. Transfer cubes to freezer bag; place bag in container filled with crushed ice.
Achieve Maximum Lemon Flavor
The perfect lemonade recipe is easy enough to make, but there are many ways to improve upon it.
To achieve maximum lemon flavor, we recommend grating the zest from one lemon over the simple syrup while it cools slightly. This way, the zest stays suspended in the liquid rather than sinking to the bottom.
Pro Tips for Delicious Lemonade
1. Buy lemons that feel heavy for their size. When picking lemons from the grocery store, look for lemons which are tender to the touch indicating that they are juicy.
*If you pick up two similar sized lemons, the heavier one will generally be juicier. If possible, buy unwaxed lemons; waxing makes the zest bitter.
2. To extract the maximum amount of juice from your lemons, it is best to store them at room temperature before using.
3. Wash lemons thoroughly under cold running water. Don’t use soap because it removes essential oils that make the lemonade tangy.
4. Grate the zest into a bowl. Use a grater to save time. Zesting gives the lemonade a wonderful flavor.
5. Juice the lemons. A standard juicer works well. Alternatively, you could use a hand blender.
Floral + Herb Ice Cubes
If you’re looking for an extra kick, add some of these flavored ice cubes to your lemonades. As your ice melts, the flavors and herbs will be infused into the drink.
Easy Homemade Lemonade Recipe
Ingredients
- 10 cups water
- 3/4 cup white sugar
- 1 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice approx. 7 lemons
- 1/3 cup lemon zest
Instructions
- Combine sugar and water in saucepan over medium heat. Stir until sugar dissolves. Bring mixture to boil.
- Remove pan from heat and stir in lemon juice. Let stand 5 minutes. Garnish with lemon wedge and serve chilled over ice or refrigerate up to 7 days.
- To serve cold, pour into ice cube trays and freeze until solid. Transfer cubes to freezer bag; place bag in container filled with crushed ice.
