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Quench your thirst with these refreshing lemonade recipes! From classic homemade lemonade to unique fruit and herb flavor combinations, these recipes make the perfect signature drink for any occasion.
Sure, you can buy a jug of lemonade or a can of concentrate. But here’s a secret. The absolute best ever lemonade is homemade…using real lemons! It’s easy to whip up and the flavor is unreal. Each sip is a burst of pure, sweet tart sunny citrus.
Here’s our best lemonade recipe: quick and easy to whip up a pitcher! Then we’ve got the top lemonade recipe variations: pink lemonade, sparkling, raspberry, and more. (Oh, and some spiked variations…because we couldn’t resist!)
And now, our top lemonade recipes!
The classic lemonade recipe! Here’s how to make the absolute best lemonade recipe from freshly squeezed lemons! Using real citrus makes extraordinary sweet tart flavor.
The best variation on a lemonade recipe? Pink lemonade! No, it's not the concentrate variety…you can make it with real lemons! What’s makes it pink? This lemonade recipe has the secrets to the bright color and fresh flavor.
Got fresh strawberries? Here’s one of the best ways to use them…a pitcher of homemade Strawberry Lemonade! This drink is bright and beautiful, citrusy with a hit of berry on the finish. It tastes infinitely better made at home: the flavors are brilliantly fresh.
This sparkling lemonade recipe is easy to make at home and so refreshing! Adding bubbles to your lemonade to makes it even tastier. Make this summer drink with real lemon and soda water.
What’s more refreshing than a glass of sweet tart homemade lemonade? Here’s a fun variation on the theme: Blueberry Lemonade! Adding the popular berry to this sweet tart drink balances it with a berry nuance and gives it a brilliant purple color.
This frozen lemonade is the ultimate tangy and refreshing drink! The burst of icy, citrusy flavor will make you melt. Even better, you don’t have to wait hours for anything to freeze: just whip it up with 3 ingredients on demand in a blender!
Here’s summery lemonade recipe that takes it up a notch: Watermelon Lemonade! Grab a ripe, juicy melon and it’s absolute perfection paired with citrus. It’s one of our top watermelon drink ideas for the season.
Here’s a lemonade recipe that's absolutely perfect for summer: Cucumber Lemonade! The vegetable adds a cooling, vegetal finish to any drink that’s reminiscent of spa water. Combine that with the zing of the lemon, and it’s the ideal drink for sipping on the patio for a summer barbecue.
This raspberry lemonade recipe is easy to make and bursting with fresh flavor! It’s loads better than anything you can buy from the store.
This easy peach lemonade is a fun, unique drink that everyone will love! The simple recipe combines the sweetness of fresh peaches with zingy lemons for a delicious and refreshing drink.
This lavender lemonade has a tangy sweet flavor and is a lovely shade of light purple! It’s got just the right floral finish. Mix up this easy homemade lavender syrup.
Here’s a lemonade recipe that’s ideal for summer sipping: Mint Lemonade! This recipe is ideal for when you have loads of this fresh herb on hand. The cooling, herbaceous notes of the mint are a perfect pair with the acidic pop of the lemon.
Got a load of ginger on hand? Let’s make Ginger Lemonade! Adding fresh ginger root to this popular beverage makes it even more irresistible: the spicy ginger is just the right pair with the acidic pop of the lemon!
Here’s a fun way to use this fresh herb: basil lemonade! It has a sweet tart, refreshing flavor with a pungent finish of basil to each sip. It’s simple to whip up at home with a quick infused basil syrup that brings that signature herbaceous pop.
Bourbon lemonade is a perfect summer drink! Make fresh squeezed lemonade and swirl it with whiskey for a spicy finish.
Homemade vodka lemonade is sweet tart and ultra refreshing! It’s a tasty summer cocktail that works any time of year.
Spiked lemonade is the best sweet tart summer drink! Beat the heat with this fresh and boozy homemade lemonade.
Whiskey Lemonade is a zippy cocktail is perfect for any season, and it’s as easy as two ingredients: whiskey and lemonade! Make it with homemade lemonade for best citrusy zing.
Try this Gin and Lemonade! Gin and lemon are a natural cocktail pairing featured in many classic drinks. Stir them together for a zingy, zippy easy cocktail.
Try Rum and Lemonade! It makes a deliciously refreshing cocktail you can make in just 2 minutes. It tastes much greater than the sum of its parts! The citrusy lemonade is the perfect foil for fruity rum.
Tequila and lemonade are the perfect pairing: the zippy citrus goes hand in hand with the zing of the spirit’s finish It comes together in a flash and even better: it makes a stellar easy version of a margarita!
Best citrus juicer for lemonade
The only hard part about making lemonade? Juicing those lemons! Promise us: don’t use your hands for this one. You’ll end up with a hand cramp!
The best choice is a press citrus juicer! This type is efficient and gets out even more juice than other types. Here’s the press juicer we recommend. It’s held up the best of any method, even after making 300+ cocktails.
Frequently asked questions
Homemade lemonade is best enjoyed fresh, but it can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. The flavor may change slightly over time, and the lemonade may become less vibrant. To keep it as fresh as possible, store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
Absolutely! While traditional lemonade is made with lemons, you can experiment by adding other citrus fruits like limes, oranges, or grapefruits to create unique and flavorful lemonade variations. Combine different citrus fruits for a more complex flavor profile.
Fresh lemon juice is always preferred for the best flavor and aroma. Do not substitute bottled juice.
Homemade Lemonade (& More Recipes!)
Here’s how to make the best lemonade recipe you’ll taste from real lemons! Using real citrus gives the best flavor. See above for variations like pink lemonade, sparkling, and more!
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 8 1x
- Category: Drink
- Method: Squeezed
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegan
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups fresh squeezed lemon juice (7 to 8 large lemons)*
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 7 cups water, divided
- Ice
- Fresh mint, for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Juice the lemons.
- Add the sugar and 1 cup warm water to a large pitcher and stir until it is dissolved.
- Add 6 cups cold water and lemon juice. Add ice and serve.
Notes
*To make it by the glass: Squeeze 3 tablespoons lemon juice into a glass (1 large lemon, or two small). Add 2 tablespoons sugar and 2 tablespoons warm water and stir until it dissolves. Add 1 cup cold water and a handful of ice.
Let us know if you have any questions!