Lemonade is one of those beverages that have the ability to transform your mood almost instantly. 103 degrees outside? Make lemonade. It’ll still be 103 degrees outside but I promise that, for a few minutes, you’ll no longer care.

Homemade lemonade is such a simple drink to make. Our favorite lemonade packs a lemony punch – it’s tart and not overly watered down. It has just enough sugar to help balance the lemon but not kill the tartness.

You need just three ingredients: lemon juice, water, and sugar. And if you want to turn it up just a wee bit, use half sparkling water and a sprig of mint or basil. Or rosemary. Or thyme. Every one of those herbs can subtly transform a pitcher of lemonade into an extraordinary drink.

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Homemade Lemonade

Refreshing homemade lemonade lightly flavored with fresh mint.

Ingredients

• 1 cup lemon juice
• 3 cups water, divided
• 1/2 cup sugar
• Fresh herbs, for serving (optional)

Instructions

1. Pour lemon juice into a small pitcher or carafe.
2. Add 2 1/2 cups water to the lemon juice.
3. Heat 1/2 cup sugar and 1/2 cup water over medium heat just until the sugar has completely dissolved.
4. Pour the simple syrup into the pitcher and stir.
5. Taste for sweeteness/tartness and add additional sugar or water, if desired.
6. Add ice and fresh herbs to individual glasses and serve.

Notes

Yields: 4 Servings

Source: Confections of a Foodie Bride

Estimated time: 10 minutes

Here are some fun variations on lemonade:
Watermelon Lemonade – with or without vodka or tequila, this is always the hit at our summer parties.
Fresh Herbed Lemonade (What’s Cookin’, Chicago)
Sparkling Strawberry lemonade (Pink Parsley)
Raspberry Lemonade Punch (Sing for Your Supper)