Homemade Lemonade Recipe Easy Refreshing Drink Under 10 Cents
A simple, budget-friendly homemade lemonade recipe that is quick to make and perfect for any occasion. This refreshing drink balances tart lemon juice with sweet sugar syrup for a classic summer favorite.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Beverage
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 4–5 medium fresh lemons (about 1 cup or 240 ml fresh lemon juice)
- 1 cup (200 grams) granulated sugar
- 4 cups (1 liter) cold water
- Lemon zest from 1 lemon (optional)
- Ice cubes as needed for serving
Instructions
- Roll each lemon firmly on the counter to loosen the juice. Cut in half and juice using a citrus juicer or by hand to collect about 1 cup (240 ml) of fresh lemon juice.
- If using zest, grate the outer yellow layer of one lemon before juicing it, avoiding the bitter white pith.
- Pour 1 cup (200 g) granulated sugar and 1 cup (240 ml) water into a small saucepan. Heat gently over medium heat, stirring constantly until sugar dissolves completely to make a simple syrup. Do not boil.
- In a pitcher, combine the fresh lemon juice, lemon zest (if using), and cooled simple syrup. Stir well.
- Add the remaining 3 cups (720 ml) of cold water. Stir gently and taste. Adjust by adding more water if too strong or more sugar syrup if too tart.
- Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to chill and let flavors meld. Serve over plenty of ice cubes.
Notes
Use fresh lemons for best flavor; bottled lemon juice can be used but flavor will be less vibrant. Dissolve sugar into a simple syrup to avoid graininess. Chill lemonade before serving for best taste. For a fizzy version, replace 1-2 cups of water with sparkling water just before serving.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8 fl oz (240 ml)
- Calories: 60
- Sugar: 16
- Sodium: 2
- Carbohydrates: 16
- Fiber: 0.1
Keywords: lemonade, homemade lemonade, refreshing drink, summer drink, easy lemonade, budget-friendly drink