Carrageenan Free Classic Lemonade
Bright, tangy, and endlessly refreshing, this from-scratch lemonade is the kind of drink that makes a hot afternoon feel like a celebration. Carrageenan — a thickener and stabilizer derived from seaweed — sneaks into a surprising number of bottled and canned beverages, making store-bought lemonade a frustrating gamble for anyone avoiding it. This recipe sidesteps that entirely by using nothing but fresh lemons, sugar, and water, so you know exactly what's going into every glass. The homemade simple syrup is the secret to a smooth, evenly sweetened drink without any grittiness, and it comes together in just a few minutes on the stovetop. Straining the lemon juice through a fine-mesh sieve keeps things clean and bright, with none of the bitterness that seeds and pulp can bring. Serve it over a big pile of ice with a few lemon slices and a sprig of fresh mint for a glass that looks as good as it tastes. It's the kind of simple, honest recipe you'll come back to all summer long.
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Learn more →Ingredients
4 servings
For the simple syrup
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup water
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 the sugar and 1 cup water in a small saucepan over medium heat, stirring until the sugar is fully dissolved, about 3–4 minutes. Remove from heat and let the syrup cool for 15 minutes.
- 2
While the syrup cools, juice the lemons and strain the juice through a fine-mesh strainer into a pitcher to remove seeds and pulp.
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