Traditional Lemonade Recipe
Make Traditional Lemonade Recipe in just 45m. Get the full recipe with step-by-step instructions at pekinthechef.com.
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Ingredients
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Simple Syrup
Lemonade
Method
Simple Syrup
- 1
Combine sugar and water
In a small saucepan, combine 1 cup granulated sugar and 1 cup water.
- 2
Heat until dissolved
Place over medium heat and stir gently until the sugar is fully dissolved and the mixture is clear (do not boil vigorously). This takes about 3–5 minutes.
- 3
Cool
Remove from heat and let the simple syrup cool to room temperature, about 20–30 minutes. Transfer to a clean jar and refrigerate if not using immediately. Yields 1 cup syrup.
Lemonade
- 4
Juice lemons
Roll the lemons on the counter to loosen juices. Cut in half and juice until you have 1 cup of fresh lemon juice (about 6–8 medium lemons). Strain through a fine mesh sieve into a measuring cup to remove seeds and pulp if you prefer a clear lemonade.
- 5
Mix base
In a large pitcher (at least 2 quart), combine 1 cup fresh lemon juice and 1 cup prepared simple syrup. Stir to combine.
- 6
Dilute
Add 3 cups cold water to the lemon-syrup mixture. Taste and adjust: if too sweet, add up to 1/2 cup more lemon juice; if too tart, add up to 1/2 cup more simple syrup or additional water to taste.
- 7
- 8
Storage
Store leftover lemonade in a covered pitcher or bottle in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days. Stir before serving as separation may occur.