Homemade lemonade is a simple and refreshing drink made of lemon juice, water, and sugar. Lemonade has come a long way, adapting to different cultures while keeping its core simplicity and refreshing nature.
In this post, we’ll take you on a journey through lemonade’s history, from its beginnings to its presence today. We’ll also include a classic homemade lemonade recipe that you can customize in many ways.
A Brief History of Lemonade
Lemons made their way to Italy around 200 AD and to Egypt by 700 AD. Lemonade dates back to ancient Egypt, with a lemon juice and sugar drink called “qatarmizat” mentioned around AD 1000. This aligns with historical suggestions that lemons originated from Asia and were brought to the Mediterranean region, including Egypt.
By the 17th century, lemonade was known in Paris, France, having debuted on August 20, 1630. This early version of lemonade was made with sparkling water, lemon juice, and honey and sold by vendors from tanks on the streets.
By the late 18th century, the British Navy had begun using lemons to prevent scurvy, a practice that underscores the value placed on lemons for their health benefits as well as their refreshing taste.
The first published American recipe for lemonade appeared in 1824’s “The Virginia House-wife,” which interestingly involved egg whites and freezing, showing an early example of experimentation with lemonade recipes in the United States.
Pink lemonade’s history is a fun mix of folklore. One story from the mid-19th century involves a circus vendor who accidentally dropped red candies into lemonade, creating the pink drink. Another tale credits a circus worker who used pink water from washing tights to make lemonade in a hurry.
Homemade Lemonade Ingredients:
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup water (for the syrup)
- 1 cup fresh lemon juice (about 4-6 lemons, depending on size)
- 4 cups cold water
- Ice cubes
- Lemon slices and mint leaves for garnish (optional)
Homemade Lemonade Instructions:
- Combine 1 cup of sugar and 1 cup of water in a small saucepan. Heat over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the sugar completely dissolves. Let it cool to room temperature.
- While the syrup is cooling, roll the lemons on the counter to loosen the juice. Juice the lemons until you have 1 cup of lemon juice. Using fresh lemons makes a big difference in flavor.
- In a large pitcher, combine the cooled simple syrup and lemon juice. Add 4 cups of cold water.
- Refrigerate until thoroughly chilled. Let it chill for at least 2-3 hours or overnight for best results.
- Serve the lemonade over ice cubes. Garnish with lemon slices and mint leaves if desired.
Flavor Variations
These variations can be adjusted according to personal taste by adding more or less sugar, lemon juice, or other ingredients.
Sparkling Lemonade
Mix lemon juice with sugar until dissolved, then gently stir in sparkling water for a fizzy twist.
Lavender Lemonade
Create a lavender-infused simple syrup by simmering water, sugar, and lavender together. Strain and cool, then mix with lemon juice and additional water.
Ginger Lemonade
Simmer water, sugar, and finely chopped ginger to make a ginger-infused syrup. Strain, cool, and mix with lemon juice and additional water.
Mint Lemonade
Mix lemon juice with sugar and water. Muddle mint leaves and mix into the lemonade for a refreshing flavor.
Iced Tea Lemonade (Arnold Palmer)
Prepare a strong black tea and cool it. Mix with lemon juice, water, and sugar for a refreshing half-and-half drink.
Raspberry Lemonade (my personal favorite)
Blend raspberries with a little water and strain to remove seeds. Mix raspberry puree with lemon juice, water, and sugar.
Cucumber Lemonade
Puree cucumber slices with a bit of water and strain. Mix cucumber juice with lemon juice, water, and sugar for a cool, refreshing drink. Garnish with cucumber slices, if desired.
Honey-Sweetened Lemonade
Warm a small amount of water and mix with honey to dissolve. Combine with lemon juice and additional water, adjust sweetness to your liking.
Watermelon Lemonade
Puree watermelon and strain to remove solids. Mix watermelon juice with lemon juice, water, and sugar.
Pink Lemonade
Mix cranberry juice with lemon juice, water, and sugar.
Final Thoughts
Lemonade has a rich and fascinating history that has evolved into the sweet and refreshing beverage we know today. With this simple yet delicious homemade lemonade recipe, it is sure to become a favorite, especially during hot summer days.
However, don’t limit yourself to just one flavor! Try out some of the delicious variations mentioned above. And when you do, don’t forget to share your creations with others! Cheers to good times and great lemonade!
Have you tried different variations of lemonade? If so, drop your favorites in the comments below.
Coquillon, N. (2021, July 21). Cooking up history: Lemonade. The Library of Congress. https://blogs.loc.gov/families/2021/07/cooking-up-history-lemonade/
English, C. (2022, July 19). How trying to find a cure for scurvy led to the gimlet. Literary Hub. https://lithub.com/how-trying-to-find-a-cure-for-scurvy-led-to-the-gimlet/
Kiniry, L. (2016, August 16). The unusual origins of pink lemonade. Smithsonian Magazine. https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/unusual-origins-pink-lemonade-180960145/
Lemonade: A sweet and sour drink with a history | Worlds garden. (n.d.). Worlds Garden. https://worldsgarden.eu/news-lemonade-a-sweet-and-sour-drink-with-a-history/
The Project Gutenberg eBook of the Virginia housewife, by Mary Randolph. (n.d.). Free eBooks | Project Gutenberg. https://www.gutenberg.org/files/12519/12519-h/12519-h.htm#LEMONADE_ICED
Tatro, C. (2018, May). The fascinating history of lemonade. HowStuffWorks.com. https://recipes.howstuffworks.com/what-is-history-lemonade.htm
(1912, September 19). TimesMachine: NYTimes.com. https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1912/09/18/104907620.pdf