Is there anything that screams summertime more than Fresh SQUEEZED Lemonade? My parents often make this lemonade for family dinners and it is a hit. The best news? There are only THREE ingredients and it’s super simple to make.

Fresh squeezed lemonade in a pitcher and mason jar with a yellow gingham lid.

INGREDIENTS FOR OUR FRESH SQUEEZED LEMONADE:

1 cup fresh squeezed lemon juice, approximately 4 large or 6 small lemons
2 cups sugar
8 cups cold water

I think we can handle this recipe! Start by juicing your lemons. To release the juice, roll your lemons on the counter first and then slice in half. You can use an electric juicer, a manual citrus squeezer or just your hand.

At our house we use a manual citrus squeezer and the kids love to help. At Grandma’s house we use an electric juicer and it is fun and effective too!

TIPS ON JUICING LEMONS:

Choose lemons with a smoother skin because they usually have a thinner rind. Bumpier lemons have a thicker rind which results in less lemon flesh and juice.
Lemons that are a little soft, but not squishy, will already be juicy.
Lemons that are heavier have more juice.
Rolling your lemons on the counter with your palm before juicing helps to break down the membranes so you will get more juice from the fruit. This works with any citrus fruit you are juicing.
Warming lemons or other citrus fruits for about 15-20 seconds in the microwave before juicing will also help you to get more juice.
When using a manual citrus juicer, place the lemon cut side down so the juice can go through the holes, even though it looks backwards.

Slices of lemons and lemon halves after being juiced.

I’ve seen many recipes that insist that you need to dissolve the sugar in hot water, but we have no time or patience for that around here and like our results with cold water just fine. No waiting for it to chill, just mix and enjoy!

Time to quench that thirst:

We like our lemonade with just a little pulp, but if you don’t, go ahead and run it through a mesh strainer. Make sure there are no seeds and add the lemon juice to your pitcher, then add the sugar and mix well. Add cold water and stir again. Top with a cup or two of ice and place in the fridge until ready to serve.

HELPFUL HINT:

If you are making this ahead of time for a party or something, make some lemonade ice cubes to add when serving to prevent the lemonade from being diluted.

One gallon pitcher of fresh squeezed lemonade with a lemon slice garnish. Mason jar of lemonade with a yellow gingham lid and striped straw.

This recipe is very adjustable. Feel free to customize it to your tastes. Less sugar? More lemon? Go for it!

We hope our Fresh Squeezed Lemonade makes you as happy as it makes Luke.

Little boy smiling and drinking a mason jar of fresh squeezed lemonade.

If you love all things lemon, make sure to check out our Sunshine Lemon Bars.

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