• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Cooking with Nana Ling
menu icon
go to homepage
  • About
  • Recipes
  • Resources
  • Contact
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • TikTok
    • Twitter
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • About
    • Recipes
    • Resources
    • Contact
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • TikTok
    • Twitter
  • ×
    Home » Recipes » Drinks

    Homemade Lemonade

    Published: Jul 11, 2023 · Modified: Mar 30, 2025 by Libby Hakim · 2 Comments

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    There's nothing more welcome on a warm day than a tall and refreshing glass of icy homemade lemonade. Whether you're planning a lemonade stand or just want some old-fashioned lemonade with lunch, this recipe is the one you're after.

    homemade lemonade in jug and glass served with ice and mint.
    Jump to:
    • Lemonade made the old-fashioned way
    • Holding a lemonade stall?
    • Ingredient notes
    • How to make Homemade Lemonade
    • Variation ideas
    • Recipe FAQs
    • More lemon recipes
    • Homemade Lemonade

    Lemonade made the old-fashioned way

    There are several methods that can be used to make your own homemade lemonade from fresh lemons. Some recipes involve squeezing, some soaking. Some involve removing the pith and seeds, some slicing whole lemons.

    All of the older recipes, however, involve using boiling water rather than cold water in the lemonade-making process.

    Here's a couple of ways to make lemonade as published in Tasmania's The Daily Telegraph in 1908. I've borrowed from the second method, though have clarified quantities and added a shortcut – so please keep scrolling to the recipe card at the end of this post for this homemade lemonade recipe.

    homemade lemonade recipe.

    Holding a lemonade stall?

    If you are making lemonade to sell, just increase the quantities according to how much demand you expect. This recipe calls for 3 lemons and makes about 8 medium glasses of lemonade.

    Lemonade stands are, of course, a symbol of the entrepreneurial spirit of young children. For years, they've been set up on roadsides and fetes as a way to make a little money and create something that the whole community can enjoy.

    lemonade stand.

    Movies featuring Lemonade Stalls

    • Stand by Me (1986) – some young boys set up a lemonade stand as part of their adventures during a summer vacation.
    • Little Giants (1994) – a group of young kids sell lemonade to raise funds for their football team.
    • Problem Child (1990) - a mischievous young boy named Junior sets up a lemonade stand to raise money for charity (but causes chaos in the process).
    • Grown Ups (2010) - a group of childhood friends reunite after many years and one of the characters, played by Adam Sandler, sets up a lemonade stand with his son.

    Ingredient notes

    To make lemonade you'll need lemons, sugar (caster/superfine sugar is ideal) and boiling water. That's it!

    The best type of lemons to use are the ones you get growing in your own backyard that are free from sprays and cost you nothing!

    Meyer Lemons and Eureka Lemons are two commonly available types of lemons. Both make great homemade lemonade, but keep in mind their differences when deciding which might work best for you:

    • Eureka Lemons have a traditional lemony taste that is commonly associated with lemonade and other citrus-based recipes. Meyer Lemons, on the other hand, have a sweeter and less acidic taste compared and a fragrant, slightly floral aroma.
    • Meyer Lemons are a cross between a regular lemon and a mandarin orange and have a thin, smooth, and deep yellow to orange skin. Whereas Eureka Lemons are a true lemon with a thick, textured, and bright yellow skin.
    ingredients for homemade lemonade.

    How to make Homemade Lemonade

    This is the easiest and most effective way to make lemonade.

    You'll need the ingredients along with a bowl or jug. Wash the lemons and wipe them with a clean cloth.

    Next, slice the lemons (as pictured below) and place into the bowl or jug.

    Sprinkle the sugar over the lemons and then pour over boiling water. Stir to ensure the sugar dissolves.

    making homemade lemonade.

    Allow to stand for 20-30 minutes.

    You can stand longer, however this risks adding too much bitterness to your lemonade.

    You'll notice that most of the recipes that have a longer standing time also require removal of the pith and seeds.

    I like this recipe because it's maximum sweet lemonade flavour in minimum time with less fuss.

    Pour into a serving jug. Use a strainer to remove lemon slices or a muslin cloth to strain if you also want to remove the pulp – that's a personal preference.

    Keep some of the lemon slices to garnish.

    glass of homemade lemonade.

    Place your lemonade into the fridge to chill.

    Serve with ice cubes and garnish with lemon slices and some sprigs of mint.

    Variation ideas

    This homemade lemonade recipe is easily adapted to suit your tastes. You could add less sugar for a less sweet lemonade or more sugar for a sweeter lemonade.Rosewater or orange blossom water added to the mix gives a lovely floral twist. You could also mix up the flavour with mint or basil leaves, sliced strawberries, honey or some extra lemon zest to jug for a more intense lemon flavour.

    Recipe FAQs

    Q. How long will fresh homemade lemonade last?

    It should keep up to a week in the fridge.

    Q. Can you freeze homemade lemonade?

    Yes, freeze for up to six months.

    More lemon recipes

    • lemon jam
      Lemon Jam
    • Old fashioned lemon slice.
      Old Fashioned Lemon Slice
    • lemon delicious
      Lemon Delicious
    • lemon cake recipe
      Lemon Cake

    Made this recipe and love it? Please take a moment to rate the recipe and leave a comment below. It’s such a help to others who want to try the recipe. (And it really makes my day to hear how Nana Ling's recipes are being made, shared and loved all around the world! - Libby x)

    For more fun and deliciousness in the kitchen, follow along on Facebook, TikTok and Pinterest, and subscribe for new posts via email.

    homemade lemonade in jug.

    Homemade Lemonade

    Libby Hakim
    Simple and refreshing, this is the best way to make old fashioned lemonade.
    5 from 2 votes
    Prevent your screen from going dark
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Save Saved!
    Prep Time 5 minutes mins
    Resting time 1 hour hr 20 minutes mins
    Total Time 1 hour hr 25 minutes mins
    Course Drinks
    Cuisine American, Australian, British, Western
    Servings 8 servings
    Calories 29 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    • 3 lemons
    • 3 tablespoons sugar
    • 5 cups boiling water
    • sprigs of mint to garnish (optional)

    Instructions
     

    • Wash lemons and wipe with a clean cloth.
    • Slice lemons and place into a bowl or jug.
    • Sprinkle sugar over lemons and then pour over boiling water. Stir to ensure sugar dissolves.
    • Allow to stand for 20-30 minutes.
    • Strain off the lemon slices and pour into serving jug. Use a muslin cloth to also strain and remove pulp if desired. Retain some of the lemon slices to garnish. Place into the fridge to chill.
    • Serve with ice cubes and garnish with lemon slices and some sprigs of mint.

    Notes

    Storing: It should keep up to a week in the fridge.
    Freezing: Freeze for up to six months.
    Nutrition: The nutrition information is an automatically generated estimate and is not guaranteed to be accurate.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 29kcalCarbohydrates: 8gProtein: 0.4gFat: 0.1gSaturated Fat: 0.02gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.04gMonounsaturated Fat: 0.01gSodium: 8mgPotassium: 56mgFiber: 1gSugar: 6gVitamin A: 9IUVitamin C: 21mgCalcium: 15mgIron: 0.2mg
    Tried this recipe?If you love it, let me know!

    More Drinks Recipes

    • Fruit Punch in a punch bowl.
      Fruit Punch
    • pomegranate cordial in bottle with drink using cordial.
      Pomegranate Cordial
    • elderflower cordial
      Elderflower Cordial
    • lemon lime bitters
      Lemon Lime and Bitters
    163 shares
    • Share
    • Mix

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Carolyn

      December 19, 2024 at 8:09 am

      5 stars
      Merry Christmas Libby.
      I made your lemonade yesterday and tried it today and it's beautiful. Although I used 4 lemons as they were average sized ones and strained it and it was sooo nice so thank you for the recipe and you and your family enjoy the festive season

      Reply
      • Libby Hakim

        December 20, 2024 at 4:56 pm

        Lovely! So pleased you enjoyed the recipe. Merry Christmas to you Carolyn!

        Reply
    5 from 2 votes (1 rating without comment)

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    Hi, I'm Libby, a recipe collector and writer. I love everything about home cooking and share modern classics and recipes that have been passed down for generations – I hope you find a few that bring back treasured memories.

    More about me →

    Aussie Collection

    • Tuna Patties piled on plate.
      Tuna Patties
    • Savoury Mince served with toast.
      Savoury Mince
    • YoYo Biscuits recipe.
      YoYo Biscuits
    • Chang's Noodle Salad.
      Chang's Noodle Salad
    • Honey Snaps Biscuits stacked on plate.
      Honey Snaps
    • Cabbage Mince Chow Mein in frypan.
      Cabbage Mince Chow Mein

    Most Popular

    • Tomato Relish in dish with jars in abckground.
      Tomato Relish Recipe
    • Apricot Chicken on plate with rice.
      Apricot Chicken
    • cob loaf recipe with bread dipping into cob loaf.
      Cob Loaf Recipe
    • classic trifle recipe
      Traditional Trifle Recipe
    • choko pickles
      Choko Pickles
    • Cabbage Mince Chow Mein in frypan.
      Cabbage Mince Chow Mein

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • Privacy Policy
    • Disclaimer
    • Terms & Conditions
    • Accessibility Policy

    Newsletter

    • JOIN ME IN THE KITCHEN and receive the latest recipes delivered fresh to your inbox.

    Useful

    • Using Aussie Recipes
    • All Recipes
    • Contact

    I acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the land where I work and live, the Wonnarua people, and pay my respects to Elders past and present.

    Copyright © Cooking with Nana Ling 2025. All rights reserved.

    Rate This Recipe

    Your vote:




    A rating is required
    A name is required
    An email is required

    Recipe Ratings without Comment

    Something went wrong. Please try again.