Iced Lemonade Recipe

Time20m

Serves1

16 oz

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Ingredients

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1
Combine sugar and water
In a small saucepan, combine 0.5 cups granulated sugar and 0.25 cups water (for syrup).
2
Heat until dissolved
Place the saucepan over medium-low heat and stir continuously until the sugar is fully dissolved and the mixture is clear, about 2–3 minutes. Do not boil. Remove from heat and let cool to room temperature (5–10 minutes).

3
Juice the lemons
If not using pre-squeezed juice, roll and halve fresh lemons and juice until you have 0.5 cups (about 2–3 medium lemons). Strain to remove seeds and excess pulp if desired.
4
Mix base
In a pitcher or large glass, combine the 0.5 cups fresh lemon juice with the cooled simple syrup. Stir to combine.
5
Dilute and chill
Add 1.5 cups cold water to the lemon-sugar mixture and stir. Taste and adjust: add more water if too strong or a splash more syrup if too tart. Chill in the refrigerator for 10–15 minutes if you want colder lemonade without immediately diluting with ice.

6
Prepare glass
Fill a 16 oz glass with about 1 cup ice cubes.
7
Pour and garnish
Pour the lemonade over the ice. Garnish with a lemon wheel or wedge and 1–2 fresh mint leaves if using. Stir gently and serve immediately.