This Fresh-Squeezed Homemade Lemonade has a secret ingredient that really kicks up the lemon flavor. It is the best ever lemonade recipe!
A LITTLE SWEET AND A LITTLE SOUR
We are a flip-flop and shorts kinda family. As soon as the warm weather hits, we are in our flip-flops faster than you can say Kool-Aid. And of course, the minute we get a warm snap, we are thinking about lemonade. We are starting to see some very nice lemons show up in our local grocery store. I could do without the bugs and humidity when summer eventually gets here but I do love the changing of the seasons. And good-looking lemons are one of those signals that warmer weather is headed this way.
FRESH-SQUEEZED
I make this lemonade a lot in the warmer months. I like my lemonade to taste very lemon-y. And sometimes lemons themselves just aren't lemon-y enough. Do you know what I mean? Sounds crazy, I know. How can a lemon not be lemon-y enough? But not every batch of lemons are created equal. So I give them just a little help, that's all. Give this batch a try and let me know what you think.
INGREDIENTS NEEDED: (FULL RECIPE AT THE BOTTOM OF THE POST)
- lemons
- sugar
- good quality lemon extract
- water
HOW TO MAKE HOMEMADE FRESH-SQUEEZED LEMONADE:
Put each lemon in the microwave for about 15 seconds before squeezing. This will help the lemon give up more juice. Slice each lemon in half and hand squeeze or use a lemon juicer to extract juice from each lemon half. You want to get about ¾ cups of juice in total from all your lemons.
Run the lemon juice through a strainer to get out all the seeds and biggerpieces of pulp.
Pour lemon juice into a 2 quart pitcher. Add 1 cup of sugar and lemon extract.
Fill pitcher with water until it reaches the spout lip. Stir until all the sugar is dissolved. At this point, do a taste test. Not all lemons are equal. Some are more sour than others so you'll want to make sure your lemonade is to your liking at this point. It may need a bit more sugar or perhaps you want it more sour and want to add a a bit more lemon juice.
Cook's Tip: Don't throw out all of those lemon rinds yet. Cut them up in chunks and throw a few into your food disposal. It will not only freshen your disposal but leave it smelling heavenly!
CRAVING MORE RECIPES? GIVE THESE A TRY!
THE BEST HOMEMADE LEMONADE
Ingredients
- 4-5 lemons (enough to get about ¾ cups lemon juice)
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 teaspoon lemon extract
- 2 quarts water
Instructions
- Put each lemon in the microwave for about 15 seconds before squeezing. This will help the lemon give up more juice.
- Roll the lemon in your hands or on a counter.
- Slice each lemon in half and hand squeeze or use a lemon juicer to extract juice from each lemon half.
- You want to get about ¾ cups of juice in total from all the lemons.
- Run the lemon juice through a strainer to get out all the seeds and bigger pieces of pulp.
- Pour lemon juice into a 2 quart pitcher.
- Add 1 cup of sugar and lemon extract.
- Fill pitcher with water until it reaches the spout lip.
- Stir until all the sugar is dissolved.
- At this point, do a taste test. Not all lemons are equal. Some are more sour than others so you'll want to make sure your lemonade is to your liking at this point.
- It may need a bit more sugar or perhaps you want it more sour and want to add a a bit more lemon juice. You may even want to add a bit more lemon extract.
Video
Nutrition
Originally published: May 2011
Updated and republished: June 2021
Hey Brandie,
What if I don’t have a microwave (we have all sort of appliances in our home, but we don’t have a microwave)?
Just let them come to room temperature then.
Hey, where's the ice? Surely this wasn't lukewarm lemonade. Icy cold is the way to go. I will try the lemon extract the next time I make lemonade. Can't be too lemony for me.
Lol the ice is in there
I thought my Grandmama's homemade lemonade was the best. How do I tell her I found a new favorite?? I should probably just keep that to myself, huh? LOL She is 95 years old!
You would think lemonade would just be one of those things you don't need recipe for. Well I was wrong! I could never get the combination of juice and sugar correct and you are SO right on about not having enough lemon flavor. I was embarrassed to tell folks I got the recipe online when they all raved over how good it was! But I did end up telling them I got it from you - so thank you!!
Thank you so so so so so so much! I have been wanting em some frsh lemonade for a while now and it is just so perfect for summer time. My hubby thanks you for this one!
I am a lemonade junkie so this is right up my ally. I've never tried the lemon extract but it truly made ALL THE DIFFERENCE!!
What's even more refreshing than drinking this is that it doesn't rely on a powder mix! I just made it with an adult twist...adding some Jack Daniels for a Lynchburg lemonade 🙂 Perfection!
This is really the easiest and most delicious lemonade I have ever made! Simple but absolutely delicious!
I would wear flip flops year round and on every occasion if I could. No bashing from me on the lemon extract in your lemonade! I put onion powder on my onions while I'm sauteing them. I think your lemonade looks delicious!
That lemonade sure does look refreshing! 🙂
Love that fresh squeezed lemonade, but never tried the the lemon extract though. Great pic!
My husband had had kidney stones, so a preventative, my husband's Dr. told him to drink a glass of fresh squeezed lemonade every day. Somehow it keep the stones from forming! We bout a juicer to make the process easier.
I found this at a link party and This sounds refreshing and AMAZING! I feel like I need to make this asap!
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Ooooh, the husband just LOVES lemonade. Actually, it's one of my memories of him on our first date - getting a big ol' lemonade at the Fourth of July fair. I'm sure he'd love it if I made this for him!
This sounds delicious. I have never made lemonade from scratch before. Please stop by http://www.laughloveandcraft.com and link up to my Share the Wealth Wednesday Link Party! I'm your newest follower!
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Alyssa
Brandie, I just adore the look of your lemonade. I've never made it before and will have to change this! I also love your comment about the rubbish. Funny you should mention it, since we had melon and so I should add the lemons with it! Great advice!
MMM made me thirsty! I had to add lemons and the extract to my shopping list 🙂
Thanks for the recipe!
Love freshly squeezed lemons for homemade lemonade. I never would have thought about using lemon extract to add, but it must really give it an intense lemony flavor.
Great idea!
I myself just like a hint of lemon but my son and husband would be all over this! Also I like the tip for nuking the lemons a little before juicing.
Sounds very refreshing and delish!
Your lemonade looks refreshing! Perfect on those 90 degree days!
Hoping for some lemonade drinking weather here! May not be able to wait that long before making up a batch of this lemonade!
Sounds like a perfect drink to spend a lazy afternoon with. I for one live in flip-flops come summertime. Hurry up an get here already, please.
-Gina-
Brings back memories of the homemade lemonade I made a few times when we lived in Melbourne, FL and I was able to use lemons from peoples' backyards! It was so delightful and the home-grown lemons put forth about 25-35% more juice EACH, so you had to add more sugar/water to keep your lips from puckering off!
I might have to make some of this when I get back to Navarre!
Great minds must think alike because I just posted a lemonade recipe today too! LOL!
I can't wait till it actually feels like spring around here! Then I'll make a batch of your lemony lemonade! It sounds fabulous, Brandie~
You're a girl after my own heart! Love lemonade and this sounds soooo good.
XoXoXo
Joy
My guy likes his lemonade so tart it makes his lips pucker. He would love this. Need to make this for him to take to work with his lunches. Yummy!
You can't beat fresh home made lemonade - so refreshing.
🙂 Mandy
There's nothing like a pitcher of ice cold lemonade on a hot day! I would never have thought of adding lemon extract to help out the flavor of those lemons that just don't make it, but it makes perfect sense. Thanks for the tip! 🙂
oooh, yum! Perfect for this weekend when it's supposed to finally get warm here in Chicago. Sounds perfect!
Finally the warm weather is here and we can enjoy some of this delightful refreshment! Lemonade has to be enjoyed in the heat and then there's nothing better! Nice trick with the microwave, I've always rolled lemons and limes to release the juices, but never heard of doing it this way.
OK... Don't laugh (though I know you're going to...) Yes your lemonade looks great... But my favorite part of your post it the garbage disposal tip... HAHA!!! What a GREAT idea! Trying it right now!!! hehe!
How refreshing! This sounds perfect for summer!
There's nothin' like fresh squeezed homemade lemonade...YUM!
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Oh, I've never seen the microwaving trick for lemons. This looks so cool and refreshing!
Oh yea baby, fresh lemonade at this hot weather is the best, especially if you sit on your porch and watch your husband cut the grass:)))
Thanks for sharing!!!
What a nice picture. It made my mouth water to look at it. I cannot wait for summer either. I have been wearing flip flops for a couple of weeks now. We have had a great spring so far in the Carolinas!
Fresh squeezed is the best!
So far no one's bashing you about the lemon extract. 🙂 It's pure so it's just about the same thing, right?
I usually zest my lemons before squeezing it so I can freeze it and have it available for times when I need the zest but don't have a lemon around (yeah, like that happens).
Mmmmm Fresh Lemonade is thee best! Perfect for summer on those hot summer days : ) We are all about flip flops and shorts here at the Lofthouse household too!! ; )
Sounds SO refreshing!
I have been making "magic water" (a kind of lemonade water) by the gallon around here lately...but nothing beats fresh squeezed lemonade!