Old Fashioned Lemonade Recipe
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.
- 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
Find it online: https://cheflenacooks.com/old-fashioned-lemonade-recipe/
