
There is something undeniably refreshing about a tall glass of homemade lemonade, and this classic version delivers that bright, sunny flavor in the most satisfying way. The secret is the simple syrup — dissolving the sugar in hot water first means every sip is perfectly smooth with no gritty sweetness at the bottom of the glass. Fresh-squeezed lemon juice strained through a fine-mesh sieve keeps things clean and vibrant, miles ahead of anything from a bottle or powder. Because this recipe is built entirely from sugar, water, and lemons, it's naturally free from grains and grain-derived additives without any substitutions required — just pure, honest ingredients. The final taste-and-adjust step is a small but brilliant touch, letting you dial in the balance between tart and sweet to suit exactly what you're craving. Served over ice with lemon slices and a sprig of fresh mint, it looks as good as it tastes. Whether you're making a pitcher for a backyard gathering or just treating yourself on a warm afternoon, this is the kind of simple recipe you'll come back to all season long.
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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 until it reaches room temperature.
Juice the lemons through a fine-mesh strainer set over a measuring cup until you have 1 cup of strained juice, discarding any seeds and pulp.
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