How to Make Fresh Lemonade from Real Lemons

Learn to make delicious homemade lemonade using fresh lemons with this simple family recipe.

1. What You'll Need. For one pitcher of lemonade, gather 6-8 fresh lemons, 1 cup of sugar, 6 cups of cold water, ice cubes, and a pitcher. You'll also need a knife, cutting board, juicer or fork, fine mesh strainer, and a large spoon for stirring. Choose lemons that feel heavy for their size and have bright yellow skin - these will be the juiciest.
2. Prepare the Lemons. Roll each lemon on the counter while pressing down gently - this breaks down the membranes inside and makes juicing easier. Cut each lemon in half crosswise. If you have a citrus juicer, use it to extract the juice. If not, stick a fork into the center of each lemon half and twist while squeezing to get the most juice out. You'll need about 1 cup of fresh lemon juice total.
3. Make Simple Syrup. In a small saucepan, combine 1 cup of sugar with 1 cup of water. Heat over medium heat, stirring constantly, until the sugar completely dissolves and the mixture is clear. This takes about 3-5 minutes. Let this simple syrup cool completely before using - hot syrup will make your lemonade warm and flat.
4. Mix Your Lemonade. Strain your fresh lemon juice through a fine mesh strainer to remove pulp and seeds. In your pitcher, combine the strained lemon juice with the cooled simple syrup. Add 5 cups of cold water and stir well. Taste and adjust - add more water if it's too strong, more lemon juice if it's too sweet, or more simple syrup if it's too tart.
5. Serve and Store. Fill glasses with ice and pour the lemonade over top. Garnish with lemon slices if desired. Fresh lemonade tastes best when served immediately but can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Stir before serving as ingredients may separate. The flavor actually improves after a few hours as everything melds together.