Lemonade Recipe
Make Lemonade Recipe in just 30m. Get the full recipe with step-by-step instructions at pekinthechef.com.
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Ingredients
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Simple Lemon Syrup
Lemonade
Method
Simple Lemon Syrup
Make the syrup
Combine 1 cup granulated sugar and 1 cup water in a small saucepan. Place over medium heat and stir until the sugar fully dissolves and the mixture is clear, about 3–5 minutes. Do not boil vigorously; gentle simmer is fine. Once dissolved, remove from heat and let cool to room temperature (about 15–20 minutes).
Optional infusion
If you want a more lemony syrup, add 1 teaspoon lemon zest to the hot syrup, steep for 10 minutes, then strain out solids before cooling.
Lemonade
Juice the lemons
Roll the lemons on the countertop firmly to loosen juices. Cut lemons in half and juice until you have 1 cup (about 4–6 lemons). Strain the juice through a fine-mesh sieve into a measuring cup to remove seeds and excess pulp if you prefer a clear lemonade.
Combine ingredients
In a pitcher, combine the cooled simple syrup and 1 cup fresh lemon juice. Add 3 cups cold water and stir well. Taste and adjust: for stronger lemonade add up to 1/2 cup more lemon juice; for sweeter, add up to 1/4 cup more cooled syrup or a tablespoon of sugar dissolved in a little warm water.
Chill and serve
Add 2 cups ice to the pitcher or place ice in individual glasses. Pour lemonade over ice. Garnish each glass with lemon slices and a sprig of mint if using. Serve immediately. The lemonade will keep covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days; stir before serving as separation may occur.