Homemade Old Fashioned Lemonade Recipe

You will love this classic homemade old fashioned lemonade recipe! The taste is so much better than any commercially made lemonade, with bright, true citrus flavor from fresh lemons.

On a hot summer day or whenever you’re thirsty, a glass of old-fashioned homemade lemonade is a wonderfully refreshing way to stay hydrated. It’s the perfect beverage to serve at cookouts, picnics and barbecues, along with favorites like naturally sweet iced tea, currant iced tea with honey, and iced coffee.

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I picked up a can of name-brand frozen lemonade concentrate recently, and noticed that the first ingredient listed was high fructose corn syrup. Lemonade is the classic summertime drink, but the product made from the the can is mostly empty calories.

Lemons are an excellent source of Vitamin C, but cooking the lemon juice (the process used to make concentrate) destroys about 25% of the Vitamin C.

Making your own lemonade with raw lemon juice gives you complete control over the ingredients, and the end result is not only far more delicious, it’s healthier, too!

You’ll notice that this recipe calls for a pinch of sea salt. That may seem weird, but the salt actually enhances the sweet-sour flavor profile and makes the lemonade taste even better.

If you’re curious, try tasting the lemonade before and after you add the salt and see what you think.

Ingredients Notes

This fresh lemonade is made from simple ingredients:

Organic cane sugar – Sugar is what is commonly used in old fashioned lemonade. Feel free to substitute agave nectar, honey, stevia, or your favorite sweetener to taste.

Fresh-squeezed organic lemon juice – you’ll need a cup of fresh lemon juice for this recipe. The average lemon yields about 3 tablespoons of juice, so you’ll need about 6 large lemons for this recipe plus an extra or two if you want to garnish the glasses with lemon slices.

You can also use Meyer lemons in this old-fashioned lemonade recipe. Since they are slightly sweeter and less tart, you may need to use less sugar to suit your taste.

A pinch of sea salt – just a tiny pinch (about 1/8 teaspoon for the whole pitcher) heightens the flavors of this drink. You won’t taste the salt at all.

Ice water and ice – Use the best quality water and ice for the purest flavor.

Lemon slices – for garnish. You can also use a vegetable peeler to cut thin strips of lemon peel to garnish the drink.

Fresh mint sprigs – for garnish and aroma. You can also substitute sprigs of fresh basil or fresh lavender.

Equipment Needed

Here’s what you’ll need to make this refreshing lemonade drink:

• Large glass pitcher
• Measuring cups
• Citrus juicer
• A large spoon

Step by Step Instructions

Making the lemonade couldn’t be easier.

STEP ONE | Combine the sugar and hot water in a large pitcher, and stir with a spoon to dissolve the sugar.

STEP TWO | Add the cup of lemon juice, ice water and salt, and stir until blended.

STEP THREE | Serve the lemonade over ice garnished with lemon slices and fresh mint leaves.

Storing

To preserve its fresh, citrusy flavor, store the lemonade in a tightly sealed container in the refrigerator. The flavor is best if you drink it with 3 to 5 days.

Recipe Variations

Sparkling Lemonade – Substitute club soda or sparkling water for the still water in this recipe.

Homemade Limeade – Substitute fresh lime juice for the lemon juice in this recipe.

Basil Lemonade – Crush a few fresh basil leaves and stir with the ice in a glass before adding the lemonade for a refreshing change of flavors.

Raspberry Lemonade – Add a drizzle of raspberry syrup to a cold glass of lemonade and garnish with fresh raspberries.

Arnold Palmer – Combine the lemonade with iced tea, either half and half or to a ratio of you liking, for the classic citrus sweet tea.

What to Serve With Fresh Lemonade

Lemonade tastes great with everything, and one of our favorite accompaniment is cookies!

• Coconut Almond Macaroons
• Oatmeal Butterscotch Chocolate Chip Cookies
• Molasses Crinkle Cookies
• Butterscotch Sea Salt Brownies
• Sweet and Salty Chocolate Chip Cookies
• Toffee Brownies

Can You Freeze Lemonade?

Absolutely! Freezing lemonade for later use is a convenient way to have a refreshing and chilled drink on hand whenever you need it. Just pour the chilled lemonade into a freezer-safe container, leaving a bit of space at the top to allow for expansion.

Seal the container tightly and place it in the freezer. When you’re ready to enjoy your frozen lemonade, simply let it thaw overnight in the refrigerator. Give it a stir and enjoy!

How Long Does Fresh Lemonade Last?

Freshly made lemonade typically has a relatively short lifespan due to its natural ingredients and lack of preservatives. When stored in the refrigerator in an airtight container, homemade lemonade can usually stay fresh for about 3 to 5 days.

Is Homemade Lemonade Healthy?

Good question. Lemons are packed with vitamin C and antioxidants, which are beneficial for boosting the immune system and fighting free radicals. By making your own lemonade, you can control the amount of sugar you add and reduce the overall sugar content if you like.

Also, homemade lemonade doesn’t contain any artificial flavors or preservatives often found in store-bought varieties. Since this old fashioned recipe contains sugar, we always follow the adage “Everything in moderation!”

Save for Later

If you use Pinterest to save and share recipes, here’s a handy pin:

Enjoy and stay cool!