Fresh Squeezed Lemonade

This is our Old Fashioned fresh squeezed lemonade recipe with 3 ingredients. Made with fresh lemon juice, sugar and water, it is the easiest way to make this summertime drink with no boiling required. It is so simple we make it year round.

Ok so we have a lemon tree in our backyard. It’s been there since we’ve lived here. I never did anything with them, until now!! I have always wanted to make an easy fresh squeezed lemonade recipe. Somehow I thought there was a lot involved until I tried it myself.

Seriously, I should’ve been making this fresh squeezed lemonade recipe years ago…it’s amazing! I was just so tired of throwing away all the lemons that fell off of our tree and went unused. I figured there had to be a way of using them to make our favorite summertime drink. I fooled around with this to find the right amounts of lemon juice to water to sweetness ratio, and this came out just perfect! Now we make it all the time!

If you have only bought powdered mixes, cans, half gallons at the supermarket and never tried to make this popular lemon drink yourself you’re in for a treat!! When it is hot outside we are all about citrus drinks. Between this and our lime drink I can’t keep up with it in the fridge. Many times it’s made day to day because it just doesn’t last.

Ingredient Notes

For this you really do want some fesh lemons, there’s no substitute for fresh squeezed lemon juice (but can be used in a pinch if necessary).

You will need white granulated sugar or you could use 1/2 cups liquid sweetener, they have sugar-free options with those too. You can boil water and sugar to make a simple syrup to ensure the sugar is dissolved so juice has a smooth consistency but we don’t always do this (depending on how “in a hurry” we are).

And for this amount you will want 5 cups of water are needed. You can add more water if it is too sweet or tart for you

How to Make Simple Sugar for Lemonade

1. In a small saucepan add you water and sugar
2. Once it begins to boil stir it slowly
3. Allow it to bubble and dissolve the sugar until no more graduals are seen
4. Then remove from heat and allow to cool 
5. Add your lemon juice and stir
6. Refrigerate and serve when cold

Like I said, we’ve done it both ways. Many times we just want it right then so we don’t bother with the boiling and just add the sugar in with room temperature water. Stirring for 1-2 minutes will dissolve some of it and stirring between servings will mix it up enough. 

You are going to need a measuring cup and a pitcher to add everything to. You will also need a good lemon juicer or fine mesh sieve if you are using your hand to squeeze (catches seeds)

Tips for Success

This makes one batch, about 7 c. of liquid. If you want more just double the cups of lemon juice as well as all other ingredients. It can be doubled, tripled, or made just half of it if you just want a few glasses for that day.

It saves quite well though so make extra and enjoy throughout the week! Our batch has never lasted beyond everyone having a glass and the pitcher immediately becoming empty though. When storing leftovers keep in a sealed pitcher in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Be sure to cover it tightly to prevent it from absorbing other flavors.

How to Make Fresh Squeezed Lemonade Ahead of Time

Make it as directed here but don’t add ice if you are going to make it ahead of time and serve it the next day. Just seal it in a jar or pitcher with a lid and store in the fridge. When you are ready to serve add ice cubes, stir well to incorporate sugar back into the mixture, serve and enjoy.

How do you avoid diluting lemonade?

I have the best tip of all times for this!! Make ice cubes with your homemade drink instead of water, that way when they dissolve it just adds more of the same liquid to your glass and doesn’t water it down!

Can you add other fruits to homemade lemonade?

Try our homemade raspberry lemonade with 1/4 cups of fresh fruit inside each cup for this option. You follow the same instructions to squeeze that other juice into the mix. Strain if you don’t want any pulp or leave in if you choose.

This is super easy to make and ready to serve in just about 15 minutes. Chill for best results but can be served room temperature with a bucket of ice beside it too.

This is a really fun baby shower drink to serve because everyone is sure to love it. Add a few fresh flowers on the top of each glass for added flare. Serving it up inside mason jars with a bit of twine tied around it makes a pretty and inexpensive impression.

Is Fresh Squeezed Lemonade Healthy?

Um yes!! Citrus fruits have plenty of vitamin c in them which boost your immunity and has lots of antioxidants keep you well. A bonus is that those things keep your skin looking fabulous too. I don’t know about you but after 40 I can use all the help I can get. 😉 If you want to make a simple syrup to dissolve your sugar this is how you do it:

Is Chick Fil A lemonade fresh squeezed?

Wondering if your favorite fast food joint has a homemade lemonade recipe too? Yes!! That one too is a great source of vitamin c, and tastes amazing but not nearly as cheap as if you made it yourself for sure. You might think store bought bottled lemon juice would be the same but it just isn’t. Squeezing it fresh at home is just such a difference and it never lasts in our house. Seriously, it’s gone that day

Other lemon recipes you’ll love

We often will make a batch of Duncan Hines Lemon Bundt Cake Recipe with this if we want a sweeter afternoon. You will love our lemon crinkle cookie recipe too as far as that is concerned.