Old-fashioned Homemade Lemonade with just the right amount of sweetness is the perfect, easy three-ingredient drink for your next gathering. Squeeze fresh lemons, take some help from bottled lemon juice, or do a combination of the two.
Wash then roll then squeeze the juice from lemons until you reach ¾ cup (this should be approximately 4-5 medium lemons). Alternatively, you can use bottled lemon juice to replace or supplement the fresh lemon juice. Set aside.
¾ cup lemon juice, 7 ¼ cups water
Slice the squeezed lemons and set aside.
To a large pot over medium heat, add the water and sliced lemons. Bring to a slight boil (about 8 minutes).
Add in the sugar and stir until dissolved.
1 ¼ cups sugar
Use a strainer to pour the sugar water into a pitcher to catch any lemon seeds and pulp.
Add in the fresh lemon juice and stir. Add in the ice.
3 cups ice
Let chill 2-4 hours in the fridge (or overnight) then enjoy!
Notes
If you are short on lemons, 1/4 cup bottled lemon juice may be used in addition to 1/2 cup of fresh lemon juice. Store covered in the fridge for up to a week.