3-Ingredient Homemade Lemonade Recipe

This homemade lemonade recipe is easy to make with just 3 simple ingredients and tastes better than anything from the store!

glass of homemade lemonade with fresh lemons.

Easy Homemade Lemonade

It doesn’t get any more refreshing than an icy glass of lemonade on a hot summer day! But store-bought lemonade is often loaded with sugar and artificial flavors.

Instead of heading to the store, why not make your own?

Hands-down, the BEST lemonade is the homemade kind, and it’s surprisingly easy to make! Plus, you’ll be making a pitcher’s worth that you can keep in the fridge so you’ll have it ready anytime.

If you’ve been wanting to try making your own lemonade, this is a great recipe to start with. We’re going back to theย basics with a DIY lemonade recipe so easy it requires just 3 ingredients: fresh-squeezed lemon juice, sugar, and water!

The simple, real food ingredients in this recipe allow the bright lemon flavor to shine. There is the perfect blend of sweet and tartness, for a balanced and delicious drink that’s both budget-friendly and better for you!

Plus, with minimal prep time, you can whip up a pitcher in less than 30 minutes, so you’ll be ready in no time to quench your thirst on a hot day or share with friends and family. So ditch the processed stuff and get ready to experience the pure refreshment of homemade lemonade!

close-up of a glass of homemade lemonade.

Ingredients

  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1 cup fresh squeezed lemon juice (about 4-6 lemons)
  • 5 cups water (1 cup is used to make the simple syrup)

Helpful Kitchen Tools

For your convenience Iโ€™ve included shop-able ad links to some of the products used to make this recipe; disclosure policy availableย here.

Homemade lemonade ingredients: sugar, lemons, water.

Instructions

  1. Make the simple syrup –ย The simple syrup is how we will sweeten our lemonade. Simple syrup is just sugar and water that are reduced to create a syrup to sweeten drinks. Regular sugar can leave grainy residue, but simple syrup mixes easily in a drink. In a small saucepan, combine sugar and 1 cup of water. Bring the mixture to a boil and stir until the sugar dissolves completely. Remove pan from heat and allow to cool to room temperature.
  2. Juice the lemons – While the syrup is cooling, juice the lemons until you have 1 cup of fresh lemon juice. Strain the juice to remove any seeds and excess pulp.
  3. Mix – In a large pitcher, add the cooled simple syrup, fresh-squeezed lemon juice, and 4 cups of cold water. Stir well until combined.
  4. Serve –ย  If enjoying right away, pour lemonade into ice-filled glasses. If you want to keep for later, I recommend waiting to add ice cubes so you don’t water it down. Keep refrigerated until ready to serve.

4 step photo collage showing how to make homemade lemonade.

Prep Tips

  • Sweetness – This recipe is easy to adjust to your taste preferences. If you prefer a slightly sweeter lemonade, you can add more sugar, a Tablespoon at a time and stir well until it dissolves. A little bit goes a long way! If you prefer a tarter lemonade, you can add more lemon juice or water to dilute.
  • Garnish – Fresh lemon wedges or a sprig of fresh mint make a pretty and flavorful garnish. You can also add a bit of aromatics with fresh basil, rosemary, or lavender.
  • Yield – This recipe as written will yield about glasses of lemonade. If you want to increase the output, you can double or triple all of the ingredient amounts. When making the simple syrup, you can make as much as you like, simply keeping the 1:1 ratio of sugar to water.
  • Storage – Your homemade lemonade can stay good in the refrigerator for up to 3-5 days. A little separation is normal; simply stir to mix before serving. However, if it looks like it has completely separated into 2 distinct layers or if anything smells “off” it is best to make a new batch.

fresh-squeezed lemonade in glasses.

More Lemonade Recipes To Try

Easy Homemade Lemonade Recipe (Printable Recipe Card)

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glass of homemade lemonade with fresh lemons.
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3-Ingredient Homemade Lemonade Recipe

This homemade lemonade recipe is easy to make with just 3 simple ingredients and tastes better than anything from the store!
Prep Time20 minutes
Cook Time10 minutes
Total Time30 minutes
Course: Drinks
Cuisine: American
Keyword: lemonade
Servings: 6
Calories: 137kcal
Author: Stacey aka the Soccer Mom
Cost: $5

Equipment

  • Medium Saucepan
  • Citrus Juicer
  • Wire Mesh Strainer

Ingredients

  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1 cup fresh squeezed lemon juice about 4-6 lemons
  • 5 cups water 1 cup is used to make the simple syrup

Instructions

  • Make the simple syrup -ย The simple syrup is how we will sweeten our lemonade. In a small saucepan, combine 1 cup of sugar and 1 cup of water. Bring the mixture to a boil and stir until the sugar dissolves completely. Remove pan from heat and allow to cool to room temperature.
  • Juice the lemons - While the syrup is cooling, juice the lemons until you have 1 cup of fresh lemon juice. Strain the juice to remove any seeds and excess pulp.
  • Mix - In a large pitcher, add the cooled simple syrup, fresh-squeezed lemon juice, and 4 cups of cold water. Stir well until combined.
  • Serve -ย  If enjoying right away, pour lemonade into ice-filled glasses. If you want to keep for later, I recommend waiting to add ice cubes so you don't water it down. Keep refrigerated until ready to serve.

Notes

Nutrition information is an estimate only.

Nutrition

Calories: 137kcal | Carbohydrates: 36g | Protein: 0.1g | Fat: 0.2g | Saturated Fat: 0.02g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.01g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.002g | Sodium: 11mg | Potassium: 43mg | Fiber: 0.1g | Sugar: 34g | Vitamin A: 2IU | Vitamin C: 16mg | Calcium: 9mg | Iron: 0.1mg

Pin our simple lemonade recipe on Pinterest:

homemade lemonade Pinterest image.

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Stacey aka the Soccer Mom
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