Old-Fashioned Lemonade

Total Time

Prep: 10 min. Cook: 5 min. + chilling

Makes

7 servings

Updated: Jun. 30, 2023
A sweet-tart lemonade is a traditional part of my Memorial Day and Fourth of July menus. Folks can't get enough of the fresh-squeezed flavor in this recipe. —Tammi Simpson, Greensburg, Kentucky

Ingredients

  • 1-1/3 cups sugar
  • 5 cups water, divided
  • 1 tablespoon grated lemon zest
  • 1-3/4 cups lemon juice (about 10 large lemons)

Directions

  1. In a large saucepan, combine sugar, 1 cup water and lemon zest. Cook and stir over medium heat until sugar is dissolved, about 4 minutes. Remove from heat. Stir in lemon juice and remaining water; refrigerate until cold. Serve over ice.
Test Kitchen Tips:
  • To make limeade, substitute lime zest for lemon zest and limes for lemons.
  • To make lavender lemonade, add 2 tablespoons dried lavender to the sugar and lemon zest mixture before simmering. If desired, strain before serving.
  • To make ginger-mint lemonade, add 1-2 tablespoons grated fresh gingerroot and 1-2 mint sprigs to the sugar and lemon zest mixture before simmering. If desired, strain before serving.
  • Nutrition Facts

    1 cup: 142 calories, 0 fat (0 saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 1mg sodium, 37g carbohydrate (35g sugars, 0 fiber), 0 protein.