Introduction

Old Fashioned Lemonade is a timeless, refreshing drink perfect for warm days. Made from fresh lemons and simple ingredients, it balances sweetness and tartness beautifully. This easy recipe will guide you to homemade lemonade with a bright, natural flavor.

Old Fashioned Lemonade Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients

Peel from about 3-4 lemons (avoid the white pith)
1 cup lemon juice (about 4-6 lemons, freshly squeezed)
3/4 cup granulated sugar (adjust to taste)
5-6 cups cold water (adjust to taste)
Ice cubes
Lemon slices and fresh mint leaves for garnish (optional)

Instructions

Step 1: Peel 3 to 4 lemons carefully, removing only the yellow zest and avoiding the bitter white pith. Set the peels aside for infusion.
Step 2: In a saucepan, combine the fresh lemon juice, granulated sugar, and lemon peels. Heat over medium heat, stirring occasionally until the sugar dissolves completely and the mixture is hot but not boiling.
Step 3: Remove the saucepan from heat and let the mixture cool to room temperature, allowing the lemon peels to infuse their flavor.
Step 4: Strain the mixture into a large pitcher to remove the lemon peels. Add cold water and ice cubes, then stir well. Taste and adjust the sweetness or tartness by adding more sugar or water if desired.
Step 5: Serve immediately over ice or chill in the refrigerator. Garnish with lemon slices and fresh mint leaves if desired.

Tips & Variations

Use sparkling water instead of still water for a fizzy lemonade twist.
Adjust sugar to your preference or substitute with honey or agave syrup for a different sweetness profile.
For extra depth, add a small sprig of rosemary or a few crushed berries during the infusion step.

Storage

Store lemonade in a sealed pitcher or bottle in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Stir well before serving. If the lemonade has concentrated after sitting, add a splash of water to dilute. Serve chilled over fresh ice for the best experience.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make lemonade without fresh lemons?

Fresh lemon juice is best for optimal flavor, but in a pinch, bottled lemon juice can be used. However, the taste may be less vibrant and fresh.

How do I make lemonade less sweet or more tart?

Simply adjust the amount of sugar or water to your taste. Adding more water will dilute the sweetness and tartness, while adding extra lemon juice increases the tartness.

Old Fashioned Lemonade Recipe

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4.4 from 138 reviews

This classic Old Fashioned Lemonade recipe combines freshly squeezed lemon juice with a simple homemade lemon syrup infused with lemon zest. It’s a refreshing, tangy drink perfect for hot days, effortlessly made on the stovetop and customizable to your preferred sweetness level. Garnish with lemon slices and fresh mint for an extra touch.

Author: Lena
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 7 minutes
Total Time: 17 minutes
Yield: 6–8 servings 1x
Category: Beverage
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale

Lemon Syrup

Peel from 3–4 lemons (yellow zest only, avoid white pith)
1 cup fresh lemon juice (about 4–6 lemons)
3/4 cup granulated sugar (adjust to taste)

To Serve

5–6 cups cold water (adjust to taste)
Ice cubes
Lemon slices (optional)
Fresh mint leaves (optional)

Instructions

Prepare the lemon zest: Carefully peel the yellow zest from 3 to 4 lemons, avoiding the white pith to prevent bitterness. Set these peels aside to infuse flavor into the syrup.
Make the lemon syrup: In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine the fresh lemon juice, granulated sugar, and lemon peels. Stir occasionally as the sugar dissolves. Heat the mixture until it’s hot but not boiling, allowing the lemon peels to infuse their flavor fully. Once sugar is dissolved, remove from heat and let the syrup cool to room temperature.
Strain and assemble: Strain the syrup into a large pitcher to remove the lemon peels. Add 5 to 6 cups of cold water and plenty of ice cubes to the pitcher. Stir well and taste to adjust the sweetness or dilution as preferred.
Serve and garnish: Serve the lemonade immediately over ice or chill in the refrigerator until ready to serve. Garnish with fresh lemon slices and mint leaves if desired for a refreshing presentation.

Notes

You can adjust the sugar amount to your taste — for a less sweet lemonade, reduce the sugar.
Using freshly squeezed lemon juice is key to a bright, authentic flavor.
Do not boil the syrup, as boiling can alter the flavor of the lemon juice.
Store leftover lemonade in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
Adding sparkling water instead of still water can create a refreshing sparkling lemonade variation.

Keywords: old fashioned lemonade, classic lemonade recipe, homemade lemonade, fresh lemon juice drink, summer beverage