Lemonade Recipe
Make 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
In a small saucepan, combine 1 cup granulated sugar and 1 cup water. If using lemon zest for extra brightness, add 1 tablespoon zest to the pan.
- 2
- 3
Infuse & Cool
Once the sugar is dissolved and the mixture is clear (about 3–5 minutes), remove from heat. If you added zest, let it steep in the hot syrup for 10 minutes for more lemon flavor, then strain out the zest. Allow the simple syrup to cool to room temperature (about 20–30 minutes) or refrigerate to speed cooling.
Lemonade
- 4
Juice lemons
Roll the lemons on the counter to soften, then cut 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.
- 5
Mix
In a large pitcher, combine the 1 cup fresh lemon juice, 1 cup cooled simple syrup, and 4 cups cold water. Stir thoroughly and taste.
- 6
Adjust sweetness and acidity
If the lemonade is too sweet, add up to 1/2 cup additional lemon juice (in small increments). If too tart, add additional simple syrup 1–2 tablespoons at a time. Optionally stir in 1/4 teaspoon salt to enhance flavors. Taste again and adjust until balanced.
- 7