Nitrate & Nitrite 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. Many packaged beverages and flavored drinks sneak in preservatives like sodium benzoate or citric acid blends that can contain hidden additives — so making your own is the cleanest way to know exactly what's in your glass. Here, it's just fresh-squeezed lemon juice, a simple homemade syrup, and cold water — nothing more, nothing less. The quick stovetop syrup dissolves the sugar perfectly so you never get that gritty sweetness at the bottom of the glass. You can easily dial the sweetness up or down to suit your taste, which makes this a crowd-pleaser for all ages. Served over ice with a few lemon slices and fresh mint, it looks as good as it tastes.
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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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