Barley Free Classic Ginger Lemonade
Few drinks hit as hard as a cold glass of lemonade spiked with real ginger heat, and this homemade version delivers exactly that. The secret is a simple ginger syrup made by simmering fresh sliced ginger with sugar and water until fragrant and slightly thickened — it infuses every sip with a warm, spicy depth that bottled versions just can't match. Freshly squeezed lemon juice keeps things bright and tangy, and you can dial the intensity up or down with a splash more water to suit your taste. Every ingredient here is naturally straightforward — fresh ginger, lemons, sugar, and water — so there's nothing hidden to worry about, making it an easy, confident pour for anyone navigating grain sensitivities. It's endlessly refreshing over ice, and the optional lemon slices and mint sprigs make it look like something you'd pay too much for at a fancy café. Make a big pitcher and keep it in the fridge — it disappears fast.
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Learn more →Ingredients
4 servings
For the ginger syrup
- 1 cup water
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 3 oz fresh ginger, peeled and thinly sliced
For the lemonade
- 1 cup fresh lemon juice (from about 6–8 lemons)
- 3 cups cold water
For serving
- ice, for serving
- lemon slices, for serving (optional)
- fresh mint sprigs, for serving (optional)
Instructions
- 1
Combine 1 cup water, the sugar, and the sliced ginger in a small saucepan over medium heat, stirring until the sugar is fully dissolved, about 3–4 minutes.
- 2
Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer and cook for 5 minutes, until the syrup is slightly thickened and fragrant with ginger.
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