Homemade Lemonade (The Ratio That Always Works)
One part lemon juice, one part simple syrup, four parts water. Scale it for a single glass or a whole gallon.
- Prep
- 15 min
- Cook
- 5 min
- Total
- 20 min
- Makes
- 6 cups (six 8-ounce glasses)
Great lemonade is a ratio, not a recipe: 1 part lemon juice : 1 part simple syrup : about 4 parts cold water. Dissolving the sugar first means no gritty sugar at the bottom of the pitcher.
Scale it
| Batch | Lemon juice | Simple syrup | Cold water |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 glass | 2 tablespoons | 2 tablespoons | 1/2 cup |
| 1 pitcher (6 cups) | 1 cup | 1 cup | 4 cups |
| 1 gallon | 2 2/3 cups | 2 2/3 cups | 10 2/3 cups |
Simple syrup is equal parts sugar and water, stirred until the sugar dissolves.
Homemade Lemonade (The Ratio That Always Works)
- Prep
- 15 min
- Cook
- 5 min
- Total
- 20 min
- Makes
- About 6 cups (six 8-ounce glasses)
Ingredients
Method
Make the simple syrup: heat the sugar and 1 cup water in a small saucepan, stirring, until the sugar dissolves, about 3 minutes. Let it cool slightly.
Roll the lemons firmly on the counter before cutting; they give more juice. Juice them and strain out the seeds.
In a pitcher, combine the lemon juice, syrup and cold water. Taste and adjust with more water or syrup.
Add ice and lemon slices and serve.
A new recipe from our editors: times are estimates and have not yet been confirmed in our own test kitchen. Use the doneness cues and temperatures above.
Questions, answered
What is the ratio for homemade lemonade?
1 part fresh lemon juice, 1 part simple syrup and about 4 parts cold water. Adjust the water to taste.
Can I make lemonade with bottled lemon juice?
Yes. Use the same amount; the flavor is a little flatter, so add some fresh lemon zest if you have it.
How many lemons do I need for 1 cup of juice?
About 6 medium lemons, depending on their size and juiciness.
