Citric Acid Free Sweet Classic Lemonade
Fresh-squeezed lemonade hits differently when you make it from scratch, and this version is as bright and refreshing as the classic gets. For anyone avoiding added citric acid — that ubiquitous preservative hiding in bottled juices, drink mixes, and store-bought lemonade — this recipe is a genuine find. The only "acid" here comes naturally from real lemons, which means you control exactly what goes into the pitcher. A quick homemade simple syrup brings everything into balance, dissolving cleanly into the juice so every sip is smooth rather than grainy or overly sharp. Straining the juice through a fine-mesh sieve keeps the texture clean and the flavor pure. Garnished with ice, lemon slices, and a sprig of fresh mint, it looks as good as it tastes — perfect for a backyard afternoon or whenever you need something genuinely thirst-quenching without the ingredient list anxiety.
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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 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.
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