Nutmeg Free Sweet Classic Lemonade

Total time30 min

Prep time10 min

Cook time5 min

4.9

(16)

Bright, tangy, and refreshingly simple, this classic lemonade is the kind of drink that instantly makes any afternoon feel like a occasion. It starts with a quick homemade simple syrup — just sugar and water stirred together over heat — which gives the finished drink a smooth, well-rounded sweetness that granulated sugar stirred directly into cold water can never quite match. From there, freshly squeezed and strained lemon juice does all the heavy lifting, delivering that clean citrus punch you just can't get from a powder or concentrate. The whole thing comes together in a single pitcher, and the final taste-and-adjust step means you can dial it exactly to your preference, whether you like it puckery or a little more mellow. Served over ice with lemon slices and a sprig of fresh mint, it looks like something from a restaurant patio without any of the effort. For anyone avoiding warm spices like nutmeg, this recipe is a completely safe and satisfying choice — every ingredient is straightforward, with zero hidden seasonings to worry about.

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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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