Homemade Lemonade with Sugar (Printable)

Classic refreshing lemonade featuring fresh lemon juice and balanced natural sweetness for cooling enjoyment.

# What You'll Need:

→ Fruit

01 - 1 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice (from approximately 4 to 6 lemons)

→ Sweetener

02 - 3/4 cup granulated sugar (150 grams)

→ Water

03 - 4 cups cold water

→ Ice & Garnish

04 - Ice cubes as needed
05 - Lemon slices for garnish (optional)
06 - Fresh mint leaves for garnish (optional)

# How to Make It:

01 - Combine the granulated sugar and 1 cup of warm water in a small pitcher. Stir until the sugar is fully dissolved.
02 - Add the freshly squeezed lemon juice and the remaining 3 cups of cold water to the dissolved sugar mixture. Stir thoroughly to blend.
03 - Taste the lemonade and modify sweetness or tartness by adding more sugar or lemon juice as preferred.
04 - Refrigerate the lemonade for at least 30 minutes or serve immediately over ice cubes.
05 - Optionally garnish with lemon slices and fresh mint leaves before serving.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • It tastes like summer in a glass, with that perfect balance of tart and sweet that store-bought versions always miss.
  • You control exactly how much sugar goes in, so it can be as refreshing or as sweet as you want it that day.
  • It comes together in minutes, making it ideal for unexpected guests or those moments when you crave something cold and real.
02 -
  • Dissolving the sugar in warm water first prevents grittiness at the bottom of your pitcher—I learned this the hard way after serving a friend a glass with undissolved sugar crystals settling at the bottom.
  • The ratio of juice to water matters more than exact measurements; taste as you go because lemons vary wildly in their juiciness and tartness depending on the season.
  • Using cold water from the start instead of cooling hot lemonade later keeps the flavor brighter and prevents that slightly cooked taste some recipes develop.
03 -
  • If your lemons feel hard or room temperature, microwave them for 20 seconds and roll them gently on the counter—they'll yield significantly more juice with less effort.
  • The water temperature matters more than people realize; starting with already-cold water means your first glass tastes as good as your last, without waiting for the pitcher to chill.

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