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Classic Lemonade

Sour and sweet, this lemonade is complete! Break out your sunglasses and a floppy sunhat to enjoy this classic lemonade.

Lemonade is the quintessential summer drink. Fresh, quenching, and above all, so sweet and tart.

Today we are making a Classic lemonade fit for a crowd. Serve this with some small appetizers at a pool party or even shared with friends at a concert. Sip, dance and enjoy!

tall glass filled with lemonade and a blue and white stripped straw. There is a slice of lemon on the edge of the glass. In the background is a pitcher of lemonade and some whole lemons and one half of a lemon.

How To Make A Classic Lemonade

Lemonade is like music, everyone has their personal tastes. This recipe is a symphony of sweet and sour but can be adjusted to your personal taste. I personally prefer it on the sweeter side but my sister loves when it’s so sour her lips instantly pucker. If you’d like to let everyone customize their glass, you should set out Citron Presse.

One of the tricks I use to make sure my lemonade is super sweet is to make a simple syrup. This syrup is an equal mixture of sugar and water heated until the sugar is fully dissolved. This allows the sugar to mix into the entirety of the drink rather than leaving you with crunchy bits of sugar at the bottom of your glass.

Add Ins And Other Options

Simple and classic lemonade is great, but if you like to switch it up, you can. Add in strawberries, other fresh fruit or herbs, or any of the great Mix-In Ideas For Lemonade.

You could also go with a Key Limeade Drink or even make Lemonade with the Whole Lemon. Enjoy!

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A pitcher of classic lemonade

Classic Lemonade Recipe

Contributor: Lyndsay Burginger

Sour and sweet, this lemonade is complete! Break out your sunglasses and a floppy sunhat to enjoy this classic lemonade.

  • Author: Lyndsay Burginger
  • Prep Time: 5 minutes
  • Cook Time: 5 minutes
  • Total Time: 10 minutes
  • Yield: 2 quarts 1x
  • Category: Drink
  • Method: Mix
  • Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Units Scale
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 5 cups water, divided
  • 1 cup lemon juice
  • 1 cup ice

Instructions

  1. In a medium sauce pan mix together sugar and 1 cup of water and heat over medium until sugar is dissolved and simmers, about 4 minutes. Remove from heat.
  2. In large 2-quart pitcher combine remaining water and lemon juice. Stir in syrup and add ice. Serve cold.

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This post originally appeared in August 2016 and was revised and republished in October 2023.