Simple Classic Lemonade Recipe

Making lemonade at home is about as easy as it gets. Plus, it's much more affordable than purchasing one of those fancy Starbucks drinks. Recipe developer Catherine Brookes of Blue Sky Eating came up with this simple and enjoyable lemonade recipe that's drinkable during any season. "All you need are lemons, sugar, and water to make this delicious refreshing drink! It's super simple, and perfect for a summer's day," raves Brookes. 

 This thirst-quenching lemonade is excellent on its own, but is versatile enough to be mixed with other drinks, such as sweet tea. At the end of the day, no matter how you serve it, it hits the spot on a hot or cold day. As with any homemade recipe, it's always nice knowing what ingredients go into what you make. "Homemade lemonade tastes much fresher, and contains no artificial flavors or preservatives," she shares. With a punch of sour, and a hint of sweet, this drink is what lemonade dreams are made of.

Keep reading to find out how to make this refreshing, classic lemonade.

It's safe to say that this recipe is on the simpler side, and you probably have most of these ingredients at home already. It requires just three ingredients –– water, lemons, and white sugar. 

Once you have gathered them, you can make this classic lemonade recipe.

First, grab your lemons, cut them in half, and squeeze the juice out. There are a few different ways to do this. "Using a lemon press/juicer is really helpful and speeds the process up a little. But of course you can just use your hands too," Brookes shares. 

Now, to make the simple syrup, add the sugar and 1 cup of water to a pan, and turn the heat to medium-high. Stir the mixture for about 5 minutes, until the sugar dissolves. Once the liquid starts to boil, you can remove it from the heat. 

Grab a pitcher for the lemonade, and add the lemon juice, simple syrup, and 6 cups of water. If you plan on using a smaller pitcher, you may need to make two separate batches. Stir everything well to combine, and feel free to add a few lemon slices for both flavor and aesthetics.

Mix everything together one last time, and then put the pitcher into the fridge to chill. Brookes also provides a few pairing options: "It's great to use as a mixer with other alcoholic drinks, or to drink at a picnic alongside snacky foods."

This is also great to make ahead of time. "It will keep well in the fridge up to 5 days. Just stir well before each use," Brookes shares.