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Jump to recipeI make this easy homemade lemonade all summer long. It’s so simple, but I get asked for the recipe frequently. Tart. Sweet. Summer in a glass.
Let’s clear one thing up right at the start: When I say homemade lemonade, I do not mean squeezing your own lemons.
I mean, theoretically you could. But you really don’t need to, and in my book, this falls in the same arena as making my own pizza dough and pie crusts. I could, but when it’s so convenient to buy Trader Joe’s handy and delicious versions, why would I?
I’ve shared this recipe before, in a post about things I love getting at Costco. But I thought it deserved its own post, it’s that good.
The Italian Volcano 100% organic lemon juice from Costco comes in two big bottles for just under $8. Each bottle makes at least 4 pitchers of lemonade, so that’s about a dollar per pitcher.
I actually usually make a double batch in my super huge summer pitcher (or drink dispenser). It saves time and even if I’m not serving a crowd, it lasts longer!
Simple Homemade Lemonade
You can make this easy lemonade with any brand of lemon juice you’d like. I’ve made it with the regular store brand in a pinch and it’s fine. Maybe slightly more bitter, but still really tasty.
But since I really only make this for a few months of the year, I try to keep the best supplies on hand.
The sugar, in my opinion, also makes a big difference. Any granulated sugar will work, but I love stirring up a pitcher with cane sugar.
I also frequently get this at Costco, but honestly I get it more often at Aldi. Great deal!
The slight caramel of the cane sugar adds a depth that I don’t notice when I’ve used white granulated sugar.
And that’s it for ingredients.
Lemon juice.
Sugar.
Water.
Done.
Simple, but amazing. I’m telling you, I’ve had so many people ask me for this lemonade recipe, and it’s not much of a recipe. I really think the best ingredients are what make it so tasty.
It’s funny, because when I make sweet tea, dissolving the sugar in hot water is a key to getting true Southern sweet tea. But with this lemonade, there’s none of that. It tastes perfect just stirred together.
Nothing tastes better with our favorite summer recipes or on a hot day. It’s perfectly refreshing!
Easy Homemade Lemonade
Ingredients
- 1 cup cane sugar
- 1 cup lemon juice
- 2 quarts water
Instructions
- Stir ingredients together and serve over ice.
- Recipe is easily doubled
My kids would love this. Thanks for sharing!
I read that you sub 1/2 the sugar for honey. so do you do use,
1/2 cup sugar and 1/2 cup honey? Is there a particular brand of honey you prefer?
Yes, I use half sugar and half honey. I don’t have a particular brand I prefer, but I do like to find local brands to try.