Classic homemade lemonade

Classic homemade lemonade

Bright, refreshing homemade lemonade is the ultimate thirst quencher and completely different to most of the stuff in the shops. It also means you can tailor the sweetness and tang to your personal taste.

Classic homemade lemonade

Good lemonade is all about balance. Tartness, sweetness and effervescence are a potent combo when done right – and if you make a syrup that can be topped up with fizzy water, you have total control over carbonation and strength. You can amp up the sweetness with extra honey or sugar, or add a squeeze of lemon for tang. The syrup will happily sit in your fridge, so it’s on hand for an instant lemonade fix whenever you want.

Discover more of our favourite non-alcoholic drinks, from green juice to watermelon and strawberry refreshers – and read our full guide to making lemonade at home, with two new twists on the classic.

  • Serves icon Serves 6-8
  • Time icon Hands-on time 25 min, plus cooling

Bright, refreshing homemade lemonade is the ultimate thirst quencher and completely different to most of the stuff in the shops. It also means you can tailor the sweetness and tang to your personal taste.

Good lemonade is all about balance. Tartness, sweetness and effervescence are a potent combo when done right – and if you make a syrup that can be topped up with fizzy water, you have total control over carbonation and strength. You can amp up the sweetness with extra honey or sugar, or add a squeeze of lemon for tang. The syrup will happily sit in your fridge, so it’s on hand for an instant lemonade fix whenever you want.

Discover more of our favourite non-alcoholic drinks, from green juice to watermelon and strawberry refreshers – and read our full guide to making lemonade at home, with two new twists on the classic.

Nutrition: Per serving (for 8)

Calories
65kcals
Fat
0g
Protein
0g
Carbohydrates
15g (15g sugars)
Fibre
0g
Salt
Trace

Before you start

You can make the lemon syrup and keep it chilled for up to 1 week, ready to stir into soda water whenever you need a refreshing drink.

Before you start

You can make the lemon syrup and keep it chilled for up to 1 week, ready to stir into soda water whenever you need a refreshing drink.

Ingredients

  • 6 unwaxed lemons, plus extra slices to serve
  • 120g golden caster sugar
  • Ice to serve
  • Soda water or sparkling water to taste
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Method

  1. Use a vegetable peeler to peel wide strips of zest from the lemons into a pan, trying to avoid the bitter white pith underneath. Add the sugar and 400ml cold water.
  2. Put the pan over a low-medium heat and slowly bring to the boil, stirring now and then to dissolve the sugar. Meanwhile, juice the zested lemons. Once the sugar syrup comes to the boil, remove it from the heat and stir in the lemon juice. Leave the lemon syrup to cool completely.
  3. Strain through a fine sieve into a jug or bottle and chill until needed. When ready to serve, use it like squash – pour a splash into a glass or a larger amount into a jug, add plenty of ice, then top up with fizzy water until you’re happy with the taste. If you like it extra tangy, you can add more lemon slices or a squeeze of juice before drinking.

Nutrition

Nutrition: per serving
Calories
65kcals
Fat
0g
Protein
0g
Carbohydrates
15g (15g sugars)
Fibre
0g
Salt
Trace

Buy ingredients online

Recipe By:

Emily Gussin
Food producer and sustainability lead, delicious.

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