Recipe: Freshly Squeezed Lemonade

Homemade lemonade is perfect any time of the year, but I especially love it on a hot summer day. And though there are some great mixes out there, there’s nothing quite like homemade, freshly squeezed lemonade. 

Squeezing that many lemons isn’t exactly quick and easy, but it’s a labor of love and totally worth it … and it really doesn’t take that long. 

When Jack was little, he couldn’t say lemonade; he said “lemon-lade.” I used to love to give him reasons to say that word. So sweet and cute. I never wanted him to figure out how to say it correctly. But he did. 

Were there funny things your little ones said incorrectly that you never wanted them to learn to pronounce correctly? Apparently, I said bus-ketti for spaghetti. 

Recipe FAQ 

How many lemons do I need? The exact number of lemons you’ll need for the 1½ cups of juice depends mainly on the size of your lemons. And even then, you’ll find that some lemons, despite being larger, have a much thicker rind. In my testing, eight lemons typically give you what you’ll need, but it’s not a bad idea to have a few extras on hand, just in case. 

Can I use bottled lemon juice instead of fresh lemons? The short answer is yes. In fact, you can use bottled or frozen lemon juice. The thing is the taste will be much different. I much prefer fresh lemon juice with this homemade lemonade recipe. 

Can I use honey or other sweeteners? Sure. Since honey is sweeter than sugar and a liquid, you’ll probably need less. I’d start with ¾ to 1 cup and then add more to get it to the sweetness you desire. As for other sweeteners, things like agave nectar, stevia and even artificial sweeteners will work. Just keep in mind that you’ll need enough to equal 1½ cups of sugar. There most likely is a conversion chart on the packaging. 

How long does it last in the fridge? Typically, fresh lemonade will last about five to seven days in the refrigerator if stored properly. Just keep it covered and give it a good stir before serving. 

Can I add other flavors? Absolutely. I have another recipe for a Basil Lemonade that I really love. If you want to infuse some other flavors without a bunch of extra work, things like fresh herbs, strawberries, raspberries, pineapple, jalapeño and even other citrus fruit all work great to add an additional kick of flavor. Using frozen berries and fruits works great, too. 

How do I make it sparkling? To add a little fizz to your lemonade, you can replace about half of the water in the recipe with sparkling water or club soda. Just keep in mind the fizz will dissipate as it sits, so make the lemonade with half of the water required, then chill. Then add the chilled sparkling water when serving. 

Freshly Squeezed Lemonade