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Ingredients
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Batch (makes 6 bottles, 12 fl oz / 355 ml each)
Method
Batch (makes 6 bottles, 12 fl oz / 355 ml each)
- 1
Prepare simple syrup (if not pre-made)
Combine 1 cup granulated sugar and 1 cup water in a small saucepan. Bring to a gentle simmer, stirring until the sugar fully dissolves. Remove from heat and cool to room temperature. (If you already have simple syrup, use 1 cup cold.)
- 2
Juice and zest lemons
Roll lemons on the counter to loosen juices. Zest one lemon to get about 1 teaspoon of zest, then cut and juice enough lemons to yield 1 cup (about 4–6 medium lemons). Strain seeds and pulp if you want clearer drink.
- 3
Combine lemonade base
In a large pitcher (at least 2 quarts / 2 liters), combine the 1 cup fresh lemon juice, 1 cup cooled simple syrup, and 1 cup cold water. Whisk or stir until homogenous. Taste and adjust: add up to 1/4 cup more simple syrup if you prefer sweeter, or up to 1/4 cup more lemon juice for tarter.
- 4
Add malt beverage
Open the 6 bottles of malt beverage and pour them slowly into the pitcher containing the lemonade base. Pour gently to preserve carbonation. Stir once gently to integrate — avoid vigorous stirring to keep bubbles.
- 5
Optional boost
If you want a stronger drink, stir in 3 tablespoons vodka (about 45 ml) evenly through the pitcher. This will increase ABV and make the flavor slightly drier.
- 6
Chill and carbonate retention
Place the assembled pitcher in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes to chill. Serve soon after chilling to retain carbonation — the beverage will slowly lose fizz over time.
- 7
Serve
Fill each glass with ice (if using). Pour the hard lemonade into glasses, or return to cleaned bottles using a funnel if you prefer bottled presentation. Garnish each serving with a lemon slice and a pinch of lemon zest over the top for aroma. Serve cold.
- 8
Notes and scaling
This recipe is easy to scale: maintain a 1:1 ratio of lemon juice to simple syrup and add malt beverage at roughly equal volume to the combined lemonade base. For a single bottle serving, mix ~2 fl oz lemon juice + 2 fl oz simple syrup + 2 fl oz water, then add one 12 fl oz malt beverage.