- Egg free
- Dairy free
- Gluten free
- Lactose free
- Nut free
- Peanut free
- Soy free
- Sesame free
- Shellfish free
- Seafood free
- Vegan
- Vegetarian
- Wheat free
- Low fat per serve
Have an abundance of lemons in your kitchen? This simple 4-ingredient lemonade recipe is so versatile and will keep your family and friends refreshed.
- Makes4, Makes approx 4 cups (1L), undiluted
- Cook time5 minutes
- Prep time5 minutes, + 3 hours steeping time
Ingredients
- 4 lemons
- 3 1/2 cups (770g) caster sugar
- 2 cups (500ml) cold water
- Mint leaves and lemon slices, to serve
Nutritional information
Check ingredient labels to make sure they meet your specific dietary requirements and always consult a health professional before changing your diet. View dietary information here.
Percentage Daily Intake information on our recipes is calculated using the nutrition reference values for an average Australian adult.
Method
Step 1
Use a vegetable peeler to thinly peel rind from lemons. Juice the lemons and place the juice in a small bowl.
Step 2
Place the sugar, water and lemon rind in a small saucepan over low heat. Cook, stirring, for 5 mins or until sugar dissolves. Bring to a simmer. Remove from heat and stir in the lemon juice. Set aside for 3 hours or overnight to develop the flavours.
Step 3
Strain into a sterilised bottle. Store in the fridge for up to 1 month.
Step 4
To serve, dilute with chilled water to taste. Serve with mint leaves and lemon slices.
Recipe tip
Make some floral or fruity ice cubes by freezing mint leaves or strawberries with the lemonade in ice cube trays. Add them to your drink for a pretty summer vibe. For pink lemonade, add a dash of pink food colouring or a splash of grenadine.
COOK. STORE. SAVE.
Smart swap: Any type of citrus fruit would work with this recipe. Grapefruit is more tart, but perfect for a breakfast drink, while lime or orange is sweeter and might be more popular with the kids. You can even use a mix of citrus – 2 lemons and 2 limes, for example – for a fun combination.
Homemade lemonade recipe
There’s nothing quite like homemade lemonade – it’s a traditional favourite for both kids and adults alike, and a fun activity for young ones hosting a lemonade stall in their local neighbourhood during school holidays or on the weekend. This easy lemonade recipe will keep you, family and friends refreshed and hydrated all year round.
What are the best lemons to make homemade lemonade with?
The main lemon varieties in Australia are Eureka, Lisbon and Meyer. Most lemons sold in supermarkets are the Eureka variety. This slightly tart fruit is large in size, grown throughout the country and thrives in almost all areas, while Meyer and Lisbon are slightly sweeter. You can use any of these lemon varieties in homemade lemonade, but if you choose a sweeter variety, you may need to adjust the sugar level.
How to choose and prepare lemons
When preparing lemons for our recipe for lemonade, select fresh, aromatic lemons that are heavy for their size. One tip is to pop them in the microwave for about 20 seconds, which helps to release their juice. This tip also maximises the amount of juice you get from each fruit.
How to serve lemonade
Lemonade is such a refreshing drink, and the soft colours look pretty when serving. Try pouring into highball glasses, and garnish with lemon slices or mint sprigs for a refreshing look when hosting guests. You can even add some alcohol to your homemade lemonade if you have an adults-only event. Our suggestions would be a splash of gin or vodka, either of which would complement the lemon flavours without overpowering them.
How to make lemonade for a crowd
Lemonade is perfect for big groups – you can multiply the quantities to suit. Try serving in a large punch bowl along with some floating pieces of fresh fruit, perhaps topped with mint leaves. Another serving option is to use a glass drink dispenser with a tap (filled with ice to keep cool), placed on a sideboard or kitchen benchtop with glasses for guests to serve themselves.
How to store lemonade to keep it fresh
Our best lemonade recipe can be made the night before and kept in the fridge prior to serving. If you’re really squeezed for time, you could make it up to 5 days before serving, keeping it chilled until needed. You can also freeze the lemonade syrup for up to 3 months (ice cube trays are ideal) and dilute with chilled water about half an hour before serving.
Love this recipe?
Looking for more lemonade recipes? How about one with a bubbly addition? Try this sparkling strawberry and lemon fizz, which can be adjusted to suit children’s or adult occasions, depending on whether you add wine or go alcohol-free with sparkling water. Another delicious drink idea is our cucumber, lemon and lime cooler, perfect for hot summer days. And, if you want a standby summer drink, you could also try this lemon cordial, which can be stored in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.
