Nitrate & Nitrite Free Classic Ginger Lemonade
Bright, zippy, and deeply refreshing, this ginger lemonade is the kind of drink that makes you wonder why you ever bought the bottled stuff. The homemade ginger syrup is the real star — fresh ginger slices are simmered with sugar and water until the syrup turns fragrant and slightly thickened, then steeped a little longer so every drop is packed with warm, spicy depth. Combined with freshly squeezed lemon juice and cold water, the result is a perfectly balanced drink that's tart, sweet, and just a little fiery in the best way. Every single ingredient here is clean and straightforward, which means you can sip without a second thought about hidden additives or preservatives that sneak into so many commercial beverages. Fresh mint and lemon slices make it feel like something you'd order at a nice café, but it comes together in your own kitchen with almost no effort. It's equally at home at a backyard cookout, a dinner party, or just a quiet afternoon when you need something better than plain water.
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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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