There’s nothing quite like a glass of homemade lemonade on a hot summer day. Unfortunately, many store-bought versions are loaded with sugar and artificial flavors. That’s why making your own real lemonade is a great way to enjoy this classic drink without any of the added junk. In this article, we’ll walk you through the steps of making real lemonade from scratch.
Choosing the Right Lemons
The first step in making real lemonade is choosing the right lemons. Look for lemons that are firm, heavy for their size, and have bright yellow skin. Avoid lemons that are overly ripe or have soft spots as they may be too acidic or bitter.
Once you’ve chosen your lemons, rinse them thoroughly under cold water to remove any dirt or debris. Then roll them gently on a cutting board to help release their juices before slicing them in half.
Squeezing the Lemons
Now it’s time to squeeze those lemons. You can use a citrus juicer or simply squeeze them by hand. If you’re using a juicer, be sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions carefully.
If you’re squeezing by hand, place each lemon half cut-side down over a bowl and press down firmly while twisting back and forth. Keep squeezing until all of the juice has been extracted from each half.
Making the Lemon Syrup
To make your lemonade sweet but not overly sugary, we’ll create a simple syrup using equal parts sugar and water. Heat one cup of water in a saucepan over medium-high heat until it comes to a boil.
Add one cup of granulated sugar to the boiling water and stir until it dissolves completely. Reduce heat to low and let simmer for five minutes before removing from heat.
Combine your fresh lemon juice and the simple syrup in a pitcher, stirring well to combine. You can adjust the sweetness or tartness of your lemonade by adding more sugar or lemon juice as desired.
Serving and Enjoying Your Lemonade
Once your real lemonade is mixed, it’s time to serve and enjoy. Fill glasses with ice and pour in your freshly-made lemonade. You can garnish each glass with a slice of fresh lemon or a sprig of mint for an extra touch of flavor.
Real lemonade is perfect for sipping on a hot summer day or serving at backyard barbecues. And since you made it from scratch, you know exactly what’s in it – pure, refreshing goodness.
This text was generated using a large language model, and select text has been reviewed and moderated for purposes such as readability.
