Recipe at a glance
Fresh lemon juice is mixed with a cooled simple syrup; orange juice can add another citrus note. Dilute the concentrate with water to taste.
Learn how to make easy homemade lemonade using real lemons and oranges in just a few simple steps!
This recipe teaches you how to make your own plain lemonade with an orange twist. You can use the same recipe to experiment with the variety of flavors; by adding other ingredients you will not only add to the taste but will also throw in some bright summer colors in your jug or glass. It’s so easy to mix different fruits and berries, and find the flavors that work the best for your summer mood. Your homemade lemonade will never be the same again!
In this recipe we used simple syrup as a sweetener. It is generally easier to blend a simple syrup with cold drinks that to blend in straight sugar. However, it is up to you how to add the sweet taste to your refreshing summer drink. You can substitute sugar with honey to make it even healthier. In this case don’t dilute honey in hot water, as honey may lose its nutritional value in high temperatures, simply mix it with cold or warm water and then add it to your lemon concentrate.
The secret of making homemade lemonade is that you can make a whole lot of it and freeze some for later. A wonderful idea for making lemonade in individual glasses is to freeze lemon juice mixed with simple syrup in ice cube trays. When you are ready to enjoy your homemade lemonade, and quench your thirst, simply take a few juice cubes out of a freezer and put them in a jug or a glass of water, and mix well. As the ice cubes melt they will fill your cup with fresh lemony flavor and taste. Suggestion for an individual glass of homemade lemonade: 2-3 cubes of frozen concentrate, water. If you are freezing pure lemon juice instead of lemonade concentrate, add ½-1 tsp sugar or honey to your glass and stir well. So simple and so easy to enjoy!
This recipe teaches you how to make your own plain lemonade with an orange twist. You can use the same recipe to experiment with the variety of flavors; by adding other ingredients you will not only add to the taste but will also throw in some bright summer colors in your jug or glass. It’s so easy to mix different fruits and berries, and find the flavors that work the best for your summer mood. Your homemade lemonade will never be the same again!
In this recipe we used simple syrup as a sweetener. It is generally easier to blend a simple syrup with cold drinks that to blend in straight sugar. However, it is up to you how to add the sweet taste to your refreshing summer drink. You can substitute sugar with honey to make it even healthier. In this case don’t dilute honey in hot water, as honey may lose its nutritional value in high temperatures, simply mix it with cold or warm water and then add it to your lemon concentrate.
The secret of making homemade lemonade is that you can make a whole lot of it and freeze some for later. A wonderful idea for making lemonade in individual glasses is to freeze lemon juice mixed with simple syrup in ice cube trays. When you are ready to enjoy your homemade lemonade, and quench your thirst, simply take a few juice cubes out of a freezer and put them in a jug or a glass of water, and mix well. As the ice cubes melt they will fill your cup with fresh lemony flavor and taste. Suggestion for an individual glass of homemade lemonade: 2-3 cubes of frozen concentrate, water. If you are freezing pure lemon juice instead of lemonade concentrate, add ½-1 tsp sugar or honey to your glass and stir well. So simple and so easy to enjoy!
Recipe authorVictor ArzutovHow to make it
- 1
Step 1
Wash and firmly roll the lemons between your hand and the countertop. This will make the juicing process easier. Cut the lemons in half for juicing.
- 2
Step 2
Juice the lemons. Keep juicing until you have 2 cups of lemon juice. You can run the juice through a strainer if you want to make the texture of your lemonade a bit lighter.
- 3
Step 3
You can juice the oranges to add vibrant color and even richer citrus flavor to your homemade lemonade.
- 4
Step 4
To make a simple syrup pour water into a medium-size saucepan over medium heat. Add sugar, and bring to boil over low heat. Continue cooking until sugar is dissolved and liquid looks clear again. Set aside to cool.
- 5
Step 5
Make a lemonade concentrate by combining simple syrup with lemon and/or orange juice. When ready to serve, add water to taste. Lemonade concentrate can be frozen for later use. Just pour it into ice cube trays or a ziploc bag and lay flat in the freezer. When ready to serve, make homemade lemonade by adding 2-3 cubes into the glass of water, or thaw the ziploc bag and mix with water if serving in a jug.
- 6
Step 6
Ready homemade lemonade is best served chilled with some ice and fresh mint leaves.
Chef’s tips:
● You can use honey in place of sugar in your homemade lemonade, simply replace the sugar with 2 cups of honey.
● You can also make sugar-free lemonade by replacing the sugar with ¼ cup stevia powder.
- 7
Step 7
Share if you like it!
Cooking tips
Roll the lemons on the counter before cutting them, as the first step suggests, to make juicing easier.
Ingredient substitutions
Leave out the optional orange juice for a more direct lemon flavor; add water to taste when serving.
Questions about this recipe
Why make a simple syrup?
The recipe dissolves sugar in heated water before mixing it with citrus juice so the sweetener blends evenly.
Is orange juice required?
No. The steps describe orange juice as an optional way to add color and more citrus flavor.
