Summer and lemonade go together like ram-a-lam-a-lam-a.... You know the song. Here's a delicious tart and refreshing homemade lemonade recipe; so much better than that powdered stuff!
It's really simple. The ratio is four cups of water to one cup fresh squeezed lemon juice plus 1/2 cup of sugar or simple syrup. That's it! If it is really hot and I expect ice to melt as soon as the lemonade hits it, I reduce the water so it isn't diluted.
BASIC LEMONADE RECIPE
To make enough for 4-5 servings
INGREDIENTS
2 cups fresh squeezed lemon juice, about 10 lemons
1 cup sugar (more to taste if you like it really sweet and you can substitute simple syrup if you prefer- I always use my LEMON SIMPLE SYRUP)
7 to 8 cups cold water
DIRECTIONS
In a pitcher, add the sugar and the lemon juice and stir well to dissolve the sugar. Add the water and chill. OR- mix the lemon juice and the water together, adding the simple syrup to taste. Chill. Serve over ice.
Serving Tips: On a hot day, I will use 1-2 cups less water because I know the lemonade will become diluted with the melting ice. Sometimes, I freeze lemonade into ice cubes or freeze large plastic containers of lemonade. I put the lemonade into a large plastic milk jug or other repurposed plastic jug or pitcher. Freeze solid. A few hours before the party, I remove them from the freezer and allow them to become slushy. Soooo good on a hot day!
