Just the word “lemonade” brings back  childhood memories of  lazy, country summer days in Elberton, Ga. We went there every summer to visit family and if you asked for something to drink, you’d better believe it was gonna be well water, sweet iced tea or a chilled mason jar full of old fashioned , homemade lemonade!

My great grandfather would down sweating glasses of lemonade back to back while sitting on the porch, swatting flies and spittin’ tobacco. That was one of his favorite ways to past time.

easy homemade old fashioned lemonade recipe

A pitcher of good old fashioned, homemade lemonade was one of the first drinks I learned how to make as a child. I pretty much taught myself. I mean how hard is lemons, sugar and water, ya know. The hardest part is getting that perfect balance of sweetness and tartness.

Simmering the zest creates a really pretty yellow color without having to use a powdered mix or food coloring and it also add a nice tang to the lemonade.

This homemade lemonade recipe is such a classic. It creates one amazing pitcher of sweet, tart, and refreshing lemonade!

And while you’re at it don’t forget to check out my recipe for old fashioned strawberry lemonade!

Watch me make this easy homemade lemonade from start to finish!

homemade old fashioned lemonade recipe

 

The Recipe

Easy Homemade Lemonade- My FAVORITE!

By Divas Can Cook
This easy, homemade old fashioned lemonade recipe is one of the best I've tasted. It's as southern and classic as it gets using only lemons, water and sugar.
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4.9 from 20 reviews

Ingredients

  • 8 lemons, plus more for garnishing if desired
  • 1½ - 2 cups sugar
  • 6 cups water, divided

Instructions

  1. Wash lemons thoroughly.
  2. Roll lemons firmly on a hard surface until they become soft. This will make them easier to juice.
  3. Zest 2-3 lemons. Set aside
  4. In a pot over medium heat, add sugar, lemon zest and 2 cups of water.
  5. Simmer lightly for about 5 minutes or until sugar has dissolves and the mixture has a light yellow color. Do not boil.
  6. Remove from heat.
  7. Juice the lemons.
  8. Strain the lemon juice into a large pitcher.
  9. Strain the sugar mixture into the large pitcher.
  10. Add in 4 cups of cold water.
  11. Taste to make sure it's not too sweet for ya, if so add more water.
  12. Fill chilled glasses with ice and pour in the lemonade!
  13. Garnish each glass with sliced lemons.
  14. Store in the refrigerator.

Notes

~TIPS~ Serve in glasses filled with ice! Garnish the individual glasses with slices of lemons as opposed to floating the sliced lemons in the entire pitcher since this can give the lemonade a bitter, peel taste if left too long. Lemonade ice cubes are a great way to keep the lemonade from getting watered down, although I've never had lemonade to last that long in a glass.