Black Pepper Free Sweet Classic Lemonade
Bright, tangy, and refreshingly simple, this classic lemonade is the kind of drink that instantly makes any afternoon feel like a celebration. A homemade simple syrup is the secret here — dissolving the sugar in warm water first means every sip is perfectly smooth with no gritty sweetness at the bottom of the glass. Fresh-squeezed lemon juice, strained clean of seeds and pulp, gives it that vivid citrus punch you just can't get from a powder or concentrate. For anyone navigating spice sensitivities, this recipe is naturally free of any seasoning concerns — it's pure fruit, sugar, and water, full stop. The built-in taste-and-adjust step makes it easy to dial in exactly the right balance between tart and sweet, so it works for everyone at the table. Serve it over a tall glass of ice with a few lemon slices and a sprig of fresh mint for a presentation that looks far fancier than the effort involved.
About FigFig is a food discovery app that helps you find foods and recipes that fit your dietary needs. Whether you have food allergies, intolerances, or follow a specific diet, Fig makes it easy to eat with confidence.
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 until it reaches room temperature.
- 2
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.
Want the full recipe?
Create a Fig account for step-by-step instructions, access to our full recipe library, and more!