I am sharing, how to make homemade lemonade with lemon juice and simple syrup using Instant Pot and Stovetop. There is something so refreshing about fresh squeezed lemonade that makes it irresistible! Today I’m sharing my classic lemonade recipe that is our family favorite and on repeat every summer.
Once you try it, you won’t buy the store-bought ones, it’s that good and easy too! This homemade lemonade recipe stays fresh for days in the refrigerator so make a big batch, sit back and enjoy every sip of this lemonade drink! If you love lemonade, try these other delicious lemonade recipes - Strawberry Lemonade and Basil Ginger Lemonade.
About The Recipe
Lemonade is also known as Nimbu pani in India and is one of the most famous summer drinks all over the world. It is lemon-flavored water sweetened with sugar. A super basic and easy drink recipe yet the most refreshing. It is perfect to revive parched throats during the hot summer and really during any time of the year. There are many lemonade variations available now but this basic lemonade version is still my favorite. All you need to make lemonade is lemons, water, and sugar. I like adding a bit of salt too to balance all flavors. My family loves lemonade so we go through tons of it, especially during the summer. To be efficient and not spend too much time making it, I usually make a batch of lemonade concentrate in the Instant Pot and store it refrigerated. This way I can make a glass or pitcher of lemonade when the cravings hit!! Making lemonade at home is not only cost-effective it is also relatively healthier than store-bought one since it’s made without any additives, preservatives, artificial coloring, or sweetener. This fresh squeezed lemonade recipe is the perfect balance of sweet and tart, ease, convenience, and deliciousness making it the best lemonade ever. Promise you won’t buy the store-bought lemonade once you try this recipe!!
Recipe Ingredients
Lemons - Use fresh juicy lemons for this recipe. Go for the bright yellow ones with thin skin. Depending on the size of your lemons, you will need 4-5 lemons to get half a cup of fresh squeezed lemon juice. Sugar -the white granulated sugar works best to create a simple syrup. Honey, maple syrup, and agave syrup can be used as substitutes but will change the flavor and color of lemonade. Water - to make simple syrup and more to dilute the lemonade concentrate and make a lemonade drink In addition, I also like to add salt to balance all the flavors and lemon zest for a strong lemon flavor. But these two are optional and can be added to your preference. Please refer to the recipe card for exact measurements of ingredients.
How To Make Fresh Squeezed Lemonade (Step by Step Method)
Prep the Lemons
Wash the lemons and use one of the 3 methods to warm them up to get the most juice out of them. 3 Ways To Get More Juice Out of a Lemon 1 - Method 1 - Soak your washed lemons in a bowl of hot water for 30 mins. Replace the water if needed when it gets cold. 2 - Method 2 - Put the whole lemon in the microwave on a plate or paper towel and heat for 10-30 seconds until it is warm. This is probably the fastest way and best one in my opinion. 3 - Method 3 - Place the lemon on the countertop or cutting board and your palm on top of it. With gentle pressure roll it for a few seconds (30-40 seconds). 4 - Cut each lemon into half and juice the lemons. I just use my lemon squeezer to do this. You can also use a lemon juicer for the same.
Making Lemonade Concentrate
To make the Lemonade concentrate, start by making the simple syrup. You can make simple syrup in a pot on the stovetop or in the Instant Pot( my favorite way).
I like making simple syrup in the Instant pot since it requires no babysitting and sugar syrup doesn’t get burnt in the Instant pot. I can just dump water and sugar and let Instant Pot take care of the rest.
5 - In the Instant Pot stainless steel insert, add 1 cup of water, 1 cup of sugar, and the zest of 1-2 lemons (optional). Mix well.
6 - Close the lid with a vent in the sealing position. Press Manual (or pressure cook) and cook for 1 minute at high pressure.
Once the cooking completes, allow the steam to release naturally, i.e. the vent to drop. Or do a quick release (manual release of steam) after 5 mins.
Let the lemon simple syrup cool completely before adding lemon juice to it.
Note: You can also add lemon juice to the Instant Pot and then pressure cook it. I find that makes the lemonade bitter and tastes not so lemonade type so I prefer cooking the lemonade syrup first and then adding the lemon juice.
To make simple syrup on the stovetop just cook the syrup on medium heat until the sugar is completely dissolved, stirring intermittently.
7 - Add fresh lemon juice and salt to the cooled simple syrup. Mix well.
8 - Using a mesh sieve, strain it into a clean glass jar. This is your lemonade concentrate or lemon syrup. Store it refrigerated and either make a single serving or a full pitcher out of it.
Making Pitcher of Fresh Squeezed Lemonade
9 to 11 - In a Pitcher, add ice, lemonade concentrate, lemon slices, and cold water. Mix until well combined. Fresh Squeezed Lemonade is ready to serve!! 12 - Serve it chilled garnished with some lemon slices and mint leaves. Add some ice cubes for that extra chill. Enjoy!!
To Make a Single Serving Glass of Lemonade
In a glass, add ice, and lemonade concentrate (2-4 tablespoons, adjust to taste), and top it with cold water or sparkling water. Mix to combine. Taste and adjust lemonade concentrate accordingly. Serve chilled garnished with lemon slices and mint leaves.
Recipe Variations
Here are a few fun variations to mix up this lemonade recipe:
Sparkling lemonade - Replace water with soda or sparkling water. Spiked lemonade - I recommend doing this as per individual serving. Add vodka or gin to your glass of lemonade concentrate. Arnold Palmer - Mix an equal quantity of lemonade with iced tea. Cardamom lemonade - Add a ¼ to ½ teaspoon of cardamom powder to the lemonade concentrate. Little goes a long way. It adds a nice warmth and aroma to the lemonade Ginger lemonade - Add 1-2 tablespoons of grated ginger along with water and sugar while making simple syrup. Strain and use this ginger simple syrup to make ginger lemonade. Mint lemonade - Add 5-6 mint leaves, ice, and 2-4 tablespoons lemonade concentrate in each glass and muddle for a few seconds. Top it with water or sparkling water and serve immediately. Fruity lemonade - Add 1 cup of desired fruit or berries along with water and sugar while making simple syrup. Strain and use this fruity simple syrup to make lemonade.
Storage Instructions
Lemon Simple Syrup and Lemonade concentrate both can be stored in the fridge air-tight for up to a couple of weeks. Fresh squeezed lemonade can be stored in the fridge air-tight for a week (but I promise it won’t last that long!). Stir up the lemonade before serving.
Serving Suggestions
Serve this freshly squeezed lemonade, chilled on a hot summer day on its own or with your favorite meal. It is the perfect thirst quencher and so refreshing. Fresh Lemonade is a classic drink to serve at pool parties and potlucks and is loved by all.
Recipe Tips
Pick fresh juicy lemons preferably bright yellow ones with thin skin. Pick the heavier ones as they are more succulent. Use freshly squeezed lemon juice and juice it just before making the lemonade. Don’t buy bottled lemon juice, it doesn’t give the lemonade the same taste as freshly squeezed lemon juice. To get more juice out of a lemon, warm it before juicing it either using the microwave or soaking it in hot water, or rolling it on the countertop. Warm lemon is key to getting more juice. The tartness of lemons can vary so adjust the sweetness and water content to your taste. The above ratio of lemon to sugar and water works perfectly for us. If you prefer tart lemonade, reduce sugar to ½ cup. You can make the simple syrup on the stovetop or in the Instant Pot (my preferred way). You can add the lemon juice to the Instant pot and then pressure cook it to make the lemonade syrup. I don’t like pressure cooking the lemon juice as it gives the lemonade a different sort of bitter taste so I prefer cooking the simple syrup first and then adding the lemon juice. Lemonade tastes best when served chilled so keep it refrigerated. This recipe can be easily doubled or tripled.
More Summer Drink Recipes
Hope you enjoy this Homemade Fresh Squeezed Lemonade !! If you give this recipe a try, please rate by clicking stars ⭐️ on the recipe card. Thank you ❤️! You can also follow me on Facebook and Instagram to see what’s cooking in my kitchen!!
Recipe Card
Update Notes: This post was originally published on Jun 11, 2014, but was republished with, step-by-step instructions, new photos, tips, and a video in Sep of 2022.
