Old-Fashioned Lemonade

Refreshing Old-Fashioned Lemonade made with fresh lemons, sugar, and water. A classic, no-fuss recipe that tastes like summer in a glass.

Course Drinks

Cuisine American

Keyword 4th of july, lemonade, summer

Prep Time 10

Total Time 10

Servings cups

Calories 235kcal

6 large lemons fresh, juicy, and well-washed
1 ½ cups white granulated sugar adjust to taste
6 cups cold water or sparkling water for a fizzy twist
2 cups Ice
Optional add-ins: a few sprigs of fresh mint or a handful of sliced strawberries

Give all the lemons a good wash! The peel is part of the magic here, so make sure they’re clean. Slice the lemons into either quarters or thin slices.
Place the cut lemons into a large, sturdy bowl or directly into a strong pitcher. Sprinkle the sugar over the top. Use a muddler, potato masher, or wooden spoon to press and twist the lemons firmly for 3–5 minutes. Focus on really crushing the lemons to release both the juice and the natural oils from the peel...that’s what gives old-fashioned lemonade flavour :) You’ll know it’s ready when the mixture looks juicy and syrupy, with most of the sugar dissolved and the lemons looking well-squashed.
Pour the mixture through a fine mesh sieve into another jug or bowl, pressing on the lemon pieces to extract all the juice. Discard the solids. Pour the syrup and 6 cups of cold water into a pitcher. Stir everything well until any remaining sugar is fully dissolved.
Add plenty of ice to your pitcher or directly into glasses. Slice your reserved lemons into rounds and float them on top for garnish. If you want to dress it up, add a few sprigs of fresh mint or a handful of sliced strawberries for a summery touch. Serve straight away while cold and refreshing.

Quartering the lemons makes the process faster and easier on prep time, but you’ll need to use a bit more muscle when muddling. Slicing the lemons, on the other hand, takes longer upfront but releases the juice and oils more easily…much less of an arm workout later.
If the sugar isn’t dissolving easily, let the mixture sit for a few minutes. The natural acidity from the lemons will help melt it down.
Try a mix of 4 cups cold water and 2 cups sparkling water if you like a bit of fizz, like I do!