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Old-Fashioned Lemonade

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This homemade lemonade is bright, tart, and naturally refreshing—just like Grandma used to make. A perfect balance of sweet and citrusy, it’s the ultimate drink for warm weather, celebrations, or a simple slow afternoon on the porch.

Ingredients

Units Scale
  • 1 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice (from about 5-6 lemons)
  • 3/4 to 1 cup granulated sugar or honey (adjust to taste)
  • 4 -5 cups cold water
  • Ice (for serving)
  • Lemon slices and fresh mint (optional for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Juice the lemons. Roll each lemon on the counter to loosen the juices, then cut and squeeze them until you get 1 full cup of juice. Strain to remove seeds if desired.
  2. Sweeten the juice. In a pitcher, stir the lemon juice with sugar or honey until it is fully dissolved. Alternatively, you can heat 1 cup of water on the stove to make a simple syrup if you prefer.
  3. Add water. Pour in the remaining 3–4 cups of cold water, stir, and taste. Adjust sugar or water to suit your taste preferences.
  4. Serve. Fill glasses with ice, then pour the lemonade over them, and garnish with lemon slices or mint.

Equipment

Notes

  • For a stronger lemon flavor, reduce the water slightly.

  • To make it a sparkling lemonade, replace 2 cups of cold water with carbonated water.

  • Store leftovers in the fridge up to 3 days.