Classic Lemonade Recipe

Ingredients

Ingredients:

1 cup fresh-squeezed lemon juice (about 4–6 lemons)

1 cup granulated sugar (or to taste)

5 cups cold water

Ice

Optional: lemon slices, mint leaves, or a pinch of salt for balance

🧊 Instructions:

Make the Simple Syrup:

In a small saucepan, combine 1 cup sugar and 1 cup water.

Heat over medium, stirring until sugar is fully dissolved.

Let it cool (this avoids grainy lemonade).

Juice the Lemons:

Roll lemons on the counter to loosen juice.

Cut and squeeze until you have 1 cup of juice. Strain out seeds and pulp if you prefer.

Mix the Lemonade:

In a large pitcher, combine the lemon juice, simple syrup, and remaining 4 cups of cold water.

Stir well. Taste and adjust: add more lemon for tartness, or more syrup for sweetness.

Chill & Serve:

Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, or serve immediately over ice.

Garnish with lemon slices or mint.

🍓 Variations:

Strawberry Lemonade: Blend 1 cup strawberries with a bit of water, strain, and mix in.

Sparkling Lemonade: Use half sparkling water for a fizzy version.

Herbal Twist: Add fresh basil or rosemary during chilling for a subtle infusion.