Mixpert editorial recipe

Classic Homemade Lemonade

Name: Classic Homemade Lemonade
Prep time: 10 min
Total time: 15 min
Yield: 4
Cuisine: International
Ingredients: 3/4 cup fresh lemon juice, from 4 to 6 lemons; 1/2 cup granulated sugar; 1/2 cup hot water; 3 cups cold water; 2 cups ice; 4 slices lemon, for serving

Dissolving the sugar first creates a smooth lemonade with no gritty crystals, while fresh lemon juice supplies the cleanest citrus flavor.

By Mixpert KitchenReviewed for clear measures, practical steps, and nutrition consistency.Our recipe standard

Ready in15 minMakes4 servingsCalories · estimated per serving107Total sugar · estimated per serving26g

A cold glass of homemade lemonade with fresh lemon slices and ice

Non-alcoholic

What you’ll need

Ingredients

3/4 cupfresh lemon juice, from 4 to 6 lemons · about 183 g counted for nutrition
1/2 cupgranulated sugar
1/2 cuphot water
3 cupscold water
2 cupsice
4 sliceslemon, for serving · about 28 g excluded from nutrition

Estimated nutrition per serving

107Calories0gProtein28gCarbs0gFat0gFiber26gTotal sugar25gAdded sugar

Nutrition values are calculated estimates for the listed ingredients, preparation, and serving size. Ingredient brands, substitutions, preparation, and serving size can change the result.

Calculation assumptions

Estimated per one-quarter batch with one-half cup granulated sugar in the full pitcher. Ice and garnish are excluded.

Serving basis: The calculated batch is divided into 4 equal servings.

Finished yield: roughly 4 1/2 cups before serving ice; dissolved sugar changes syrup volume, and the finished volume has not been measured

Method: Nutrition is estimated from listed mass quantities or the stated label-volume basis, preparation, and cited composition data. A label-volume equivalent is not a measured gram weight. Actual values vary by brand, produce size, preparation method, and serving yield.

Quality check: database or declared-label energy is checked against macro-derived energy. Variances above 8% are blocked for review unless a documented food-specific or rounding explanation has been approved.

USDA FoodData Central ↗

See modeled quantities and references

fresh lemon juice, from 4 to 6 lemons · 183 gLemon juice, raw · USDA FoodData Central · FDC 167747 · SR Legacy ↗ · FoodData Central SR Legacy April 2018 (verified 2026-09-15). Included in nutrition.
Calculation basis
Reference serving: 100 g. Recipe quantity is converted to grams using the canonical household-measure table before scaling the 100 g record.
granulated sugar · 100 gSugars, granulated · USDA FoodData Central · FDC 169655 · SR Legacy ↗ · FoodData Central SR Legacy April 2018 (verified 2026-09-15). Included in nutrition.
Calculation basis
Reference serving: 100 g. Recipe quantity is converted to grams using the canonical household-measure table before scaling the 100 g record.
hot water · 118.3 gWater, tap · USDA FoodData Central · FDC 173647 · SR Legacy ↗ · FoodData Central SR Legacy April 2018 (verified 2026-09-15). Included in nutrition.
Calculation basis
Reference serving: 100 g. Recipe quantity is converted to grams using the canonical household-measure table before scaling the 100 g record.
cold water · 709.8 gWater, tap · USDA FoodData Central · FDC 173647 · SR Legacy ↗ · FoodData Central SR Legacy April 2018 (verified 2026-09-15). Included in nutrition.
Calculation basis
Reference serving: 100 g. Recipe quantity is converted to grams using the canonical household-measure table before scaling the 100 g record.
ice · 473.2 gWater, tap · USDA FoodData Central · FDC 173647 · SR Legacy ↗ · FoodData Central SR Legacy April 2018 (verified 2026-09-15). Garnish or preparation ingredient is excluded because it is not expected to be consumed.
Calculation basis
Reference serving: 100 g. Recipe quantity is converted to grams using the canonical household-measure table before scaling the 100 g record. Preparation model: garnish not consumed; retained mass fraction 1.
lemon, for serving · 28 gLemons, raw · USDA FoodData Central · FDC 167746 · SR Legacy ↗ · FoodData Central SR Legacy April 2018 (verified 2026-09-15). Garnish or preparation ingredient is excluded because it is not expected to be consumed.
Calculation basis
Reference serving: 100 g. Recipe quantity is converted to grams using the canonical household-measure table before scaling the 100 g record. Preparation model: garnish not consumed; retained mass fraction 1.

Sugar checkClassic lemonade gets most of its sugar from simple syrup. The lower-sugar substitution cuts added sugar roughly in half.

Step by step

Make it like a pro.

01
Stir the sugar into the hot water until completely dissolved, then cool for five minutes.
02
Combine the lemon juice, simple syrup, and cold water in a pitcher.
03
Taste and add more cold water if needed. Serve over ice with lemon slices.

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Tools for This Recipe

Helpful equipment for making this recipe at home.

Citrus pressChef’n FreshForce Citrus JuicerChef’n

A handheld press for extracting fresh lemon, lime, and orange juice.

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Easy swaps

Use one quarter cup sugar plus a few drops of liquid stevia for a lower-sugar pitcher.
Replace one cup water with unsweetened sparkling water just before serving.
Add bruised mint, basil, or sliced cucumber while the lemonade chills.

Mixpert tips

Roll lemons firmly on the counter before juicing.
Add sparkling water only at serving time so it keeps its bubbles.

Good to know