Enjoy a delicious glass of the best fresh lemonade anytime when you make this easy homemade concentrate. All you'll need is 4 ingredients and about 18 minutes. Lemonade is one of the most popular summer drink recipes to make.
The best lemonade is made with fresh lemons. If you're a fan of Starbucks lemonade you will be happy to know you can easily make it at home to sip on and enjoy all summer.
How to make lemonade concentrate
The secret ingredient is using fresh lemons and lemon oil from lemon zest to make a concentrate. It is so easy to make!
All you need are four ingredients, fresh squeezed lemon juice, sugar, filtered water and a small amount of lemon zest.
Fresh squeezed lemonade is the official summer cold drink. An ice cold pitcher is the perfect thirst quencher during barbecue season. A backyard BBQ isn't complete without one!
You can also use this recipe to make other infused lemonade drinks like strawberry lemonade or watermelon lemonade. Or add a splash to a glass of sweet iced tea.
Make this recipe early in the day when you plan to serve it. Or make it in advance and freeze it in serving size ice cubes to enjoy a glass any time you are craving a sweet and tart glass of fresh lemonade.
Ingredients
- 2 ¾ cup freshly squeezed lemon juice (12 medium lemons)
- 2 ¾ cup granulated sugar
- 2 cup filtered water
- ¼ cup lemon zest
Directions
Step 1: Mix the lemon juice, sugar, water and lemon zest in a large pot.
Heat on medium, stirring occasionally until the sugar dissolves.
Step 2: Bring to a boil for 5 minutes. Remove from heat.
Step 3: Carefully pour the hot lemon syrup through a fine mesh strainer into a large bowl or 8 cup spouted glass measuring cup to remove the lemon zest and any pulp.
Step 4: Cool to room temperature.
Once cool transfer to a container.
Step 5: Refrigerate or freeze the concentrate until ready to serve.
This recipe makes about 7 ½ cups of concentrate that will make about 30 eight ounce glasses.
How to make a glass of lemonade with concentrate
To make a glass of single serving fill a 8 oz. glass with ice. Pour ¼ cup of concentrate over the ice. Fill the glass with water and enjoy.
How to make a pitcher of lemonade with concentrate
Fill the pitcher half way with ice. Add 1 cup of concentrate to a 32 oz. pitcher. Fill with filtered water. Add some lemon slices and serve over ice.
How to freeze lemonade concentrate
Freezing the concentrate is pretty easy. You can use food grade plastic containers or ice cube trays. Simply pour the concentrate in and freeze.
Once frozen remove the cubes from the tray and place then in a freezer bag in the freezer.
I use an oversized ice cube tray to freeze the concentrate into ¼ cup ice cubes.
Each section freezes ¼ cup of the concentrate which is the perfect size to make an 8 oz. glass of lemonade.
Recipe FAQS
All you need are four ingredients to make homemade lemonade concentrate at home in 15 minutes.
If you have an abundance of lemons you can make lemonade concentrate. It can be frozen to enjoy a cold glass of lemonade anytime. It is easy to make and can be frozen for 3 months.
Making homemade lemonade concentrate is a delicious and cost effective way to enjoy the refreshing flavor of fresh-squeezed lemonade all summer long.
This easy recipe can be made quickly with only a few ingredients.
By following the simple recipe of lemons, lemon zest, sugar, and water, you can make a lemonade simple syrup that can be stored for up to three months and used to make a delicious glass or pitcher of lemonade in minutes.
Making homemade lemonade concentrate is an easy and tasty way to cool down and hydrate during the hot summer days.
Expert Recipe Tips
- To remove food grade wax from store bought lemons. Place the lemons in a large bowl. Pour enough boiling water over them to cover. Soak the lemons for 5 minutes. Rinse with cold water.
- Water: use filtered water for the best lemonade.
- Lemon zest: zest all of the lemons before squeezing the juice. Place the lemon zest in a airtight container or bag in the freezer. You will have lemon zest on hand for other recipes like lemon alfredo or to add to iced tea.
- Got lots of lemons: Make up enough concentrate to last the entire summer.
More summer beverages
Check out some more of my thirst quenching summer beverage recipes below.
Email questions or recipe requests to flouronmyface@gmail.com. Follow me on Pinterest, YouTube, Instagram and Facebook.
Lemonade Concentrate
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 ¾ cup freshly squeezed lemon juice (I used 12 medium lemons)
- 2 ¾ cup granulated sugar
- 2 cup filtered water
- ¼ cup lemon zest
Instructions
How To Make Lemonade Concentrate
- Mix the lemon juice, sugar, water and lemon zest in a large pot. Heat on medium, stirring occasionally until the sugar dissolves.
- Bring to a boil for 5 minutes. Remove the pot from heat.
- Carefully pour the hot lemonade syrup through a fine mesh strainer into a large bowl or 8 cup spouted glass measuring cup to remove the lemon zest and any pulp.
- Cool to room temperature. Once cool transfer to a container.
- Refrigerate or freeze the lemonade concentrate until ready to serve.
How to make a glass of lemonade from concentrate
- Fill a 8 oz. glass with ice and pour ¼ cup of concentrate over the ice. Fill the glass with water
- Garnish with sliced lemon and a mint sprig.
How to make a pitcher of lemonade from concentrate
- Fill the pitcher half way full of ice cubes.
- Add 1 cup of concentrate to a 32 oz. pitcher. Fill the pitcher with filtered water.
- Add some lemon slices to the pitcher and stir,
- Makes 4 to 6 servings.
- Serve over ice.
Video
Recipe Expert Tips
- To remove food grade wax from store bought lemons. Place the lemons in a large bowl. Pour enough boiling water over them to cover. Soak the lemons for 5 minutes. Rinse with cold water.
- Water: use filtered water for the best lemonade.
- Lemon zest: zest all of the lemons before squeezing the juice. Place the lemon zest in a airtight container or bag in the freezer. You will have lemon zest on hand for other recipes like lemon alfredo or to add to iced tea.
- Have an abundance of lemons: Make up enough concentrate to last the entire summer.
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