Grandmas Summer Porch Lemonade Recipe Easy 5-Step Refreshing Drink
A fuss-free, classic lemonade recipe that balances tart and sweet flavors perfectly, infused with lemon zest for a refreshing summer drink.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Beverage
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 6 medium fresh lemons (about 1 cup or 240 ml fresh lemon juice)
- 1 cup (200 g) granulated sugar
- 5 cups (1.2 liters) cold water
- Lemon zest from 1 lemon
- Ice cubes (optional, for serving)
- Fresh mint leaves (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Make the lemon syrup: In a small saucepan, combine 1 cup granulated sugar, 1 cup water, and lemon zest from one lemon. Heat over medium heat, stirring occasionally until sugar dissolves completely (about 5 minutes). Remove from heat and let cool to room temperature.
- Juice the lemons: Roll lemons on the counter, cut in half, and juice until you have 1 cup fresh lemon juice. Strain to remove seeds and pulp if desired.
- Combine ingredients: In a large pitcher, pour cooled lemon syrup and fresh lemon juice. Add 4 cups cold water and stir well. Adjust water or lemon juice to taste.
- Chill: Refrigerate lemonade for at least 30 minutes to meld flavors and chill thoroughly. Add ice cubes if in a hurry.
- Serve and garnish: Pour into glasses filled with ice, garnish with fresh mint leaves or lemon slices if desired. Enjoy.
Notes
Roll lemons before juicing to maximize juice yield. Avoid zesting the white pith to prevent bitterness. Cool the syrup before mixing to preserve fresh lemon flavor. For sparkling lemonade, substitute half the water with chilled sparkling water before serving.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8 ounces (240 ml)
- Calories: 100
- Sugar: 25
- Sodium: 2
- Carbohydrates: 27
- Fiber: 0.3
Keywords: lemonade, summer drink, refreshing beverage, homemade lemonade, classic lemonade, easy lemonade recipe