Old Fashioned Lemonade

This Old Fashioned Lemonade is the ultimate summer refresher, crafted with a simple yet effective technique: boiling sugar water with fresh lemon rind to create a deeply aromatic syrup. Unlike store-bought versions, this recipe highlights the bright, zesty notes of real lemons, balanced by a smooth, sweet finish. The infusion process extracts essential oils from the zest, adding a layer of complexity that cold-brewed methods miss. Perfect for backyard barbecues, hot afternoons, or as a sophisticated accompaniment to light meals, this vegan-friendly beverage is incredibly easy to make. It keeps well in the fridge, allowing you to batch-prep for gatherings or enjoy a chilled glass throughout the week.

Cooking Method: Boiling

Cuisine: Global

Courses: Drinks

Difficulty: Intermediate

Servings: 12

Calories: 369.2

Dietary: Gluten-free, Vegan, Vegetarian

Description

This Old Fashioned Lemonade is the ultimate summer refresher, crafted with a simple yet effective technique: boiling sugar water with fresh lemon rind to create a deeply aromatic syrup. Unlike store-bought versions, this recipe highlights the bright, zesty notes of real lemons, balanced by a smooth, sweet finish. The infusion process extracts essential oils from the zest, adding a layer of complexity that cold-brewed methods miss. Perfect for backyard barbecues, hot afternoons, or as a sophisticated accompaniment to light meals, this vegan-friendly beverage is incredibly easy to make. It keeps well in the fridge, allowing you to batch-prep for gatherings or enjoy a chilled glass throughout the week.

Ingredients

1 1/2 cup Sugar, granulated
1 1/2 cup Water
1 tablespoon Lemon rind; finely grated
1 1/2 cup Lemon juice; 6-7 lemons
1 Lemon; sliced thinly

Directions

1
In a small saucepan, combine the sugar, water, and finely grated lemon rind.
2
Place over medium heat and bring to a boil, stirring constantly until the sugar is completely dissolved.
3
Once boiling, continue to stir and cook for 5 minutes to infuse the lemon flavor.
4
Remove the saucepan from heat and allow the syrup to cool to room temperature.
5
Stir the fresh lemon juice into the cooled syrup.
6
Transfer the mixture to a large jar or pitcher, cover, and refrigerate until needed.
7
To serve, place 2 ice cubes in each tall glass.
8
Add 1/4 cup (50ml) of the prepared lemon syrup and 3/4 cup (175ml) of cold water to each glass.
9
Stir well to combine, then garnish with a thin lemon slice and a sprig of mint.

Nutrition Facts

Servings 12

Amount Per Serving
Calories 369.2kcal

% Daily Value *
Total Fat 0.2g1%
Saturated Fat 0.1g1%
Cholesterol 0.0mg0%
Sodium 1.9mg1%
Total Carbohydrate 96.6g33%
Dietary Fiber 0.4g2%
Sugars 92.0g
Protein 0.4g1%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

Note

Storage: The concentrated lemon syrup can be stored in a covered jar in the refrigerator for up to 3 weeks.

Garnish: Thinly sliced lemon and fresh mint sprigs make a beautiful and aromatic garnish.

Yield: This recipe makes approximately 3 1/2 cups of syrup, which is enough for 12 servings when diluted with water.

Tip: For a stronger lemon flavor, you can let the syrup steep with the rind for an additional hour after cooling before straining (if desired) or mixing with juice.

Keywords: lemonade, homemade, summer drink, lemon syrup, refreshing, vegan, citrus, non-alcoholic, party drink, easy recipe, zest, juicy, tart, sweet, classic, chilled, beverage, lemon rind, simple syrup, summer

Read it online: https://www.chefs-mate.com/recipe/old-fashioned-lemonade-3/