Tart, Fresh Squeezed Old Fashioned Lemonade

This old fashioned lemonade kicks butt as a front porch refresher, balancing tangy fresh lemon juice with a smooth, simple sugar syrup. It’s a classic recipe that beats the store-bought stuff by a mile, and you can whip up a large batch in just five minutes!

A Drink That Won’t Sour Your Day!

There’s nothing that ruins a porch swing moment faster than a mouthful of gritty sugar crystals at the bottom of your glass. We’ve all been there, stirring for dear life in a cold pitcher only to have the sugar just… sit there.

The best way to get that silky, “how did she make this?” texture is to go the old fashioned way and whip up a quick simple syrup. Melt your sugar into water over medium heat first, you’re making sure that the sweetness actually shakes hands with the water rather than just sinking to the bottom.

So, head on over to the nearest Piggly Wiggly (or your backyard if you’re lucky enough to have a lemon tree!) and let’s get to squeezing, shall we?

Thirsty for more Southern sips? Try this Southern Sweet Tea, Sugar-Free Peach Lemonade, and Strawberry Lemonade Concentrate!

Let’s Talk Ingredients

1 cup water
1 3/4 cups sugar
1 1/2 cups lemon juice

Tips for the Best Batch

Don’t walk away from the stove: Keep that sugar moving! You want to stir your syrup constantly until it’s clear. If you let it sit, it can scorch and give your lemonade a bitter, burnt taste that even a mountain of ice can’t fix.
Save your favorite pitcher: Pouring hot syrup into a cold glass pitcher is a recipe for heartbreak (and a mess). Always add a few inches of cold water to the pitcher first to act as a “buffer,” so you don’t crack your good glassware.
Get every last drop: If you’re using fresh lemons, give them a good, firm roll on the counter with the palm of your hand before you slice them open. It wakes up the juices and makes squeezing a whole lot easier on your joints.

Adding sliced lemon to a glass of old fashioned lemonade

How to Make Old Fashioned Lemonade

Step 1. Make the Simple Syrup

In a small saucepan, mix 1 cup of water and the sugar. Bring it just to a boil over medium heat, stirring constantly. Once the sugar dissolves and the mixture looks clear, take it off the heat. This is your simple sugar syrup.

Mixing sugar and water in a small saucepan

Step 2. Prep the Pitcher

Grab a large pitcher and fill it with about 2-3 inches of cold water. Pour in your fresh lemon juice and that warm sugar syrup you just made.

Pouring the lemon juice into a pitcher of water

Step 3. Mix and Chill

Combine lemon juice and syrup with a long spoon, then add enough water to fill the pitcher the rest of the way. Give it one last good stir!

A mixed pitcher of old fashioned lemonade

My Recommendation: Skip the bottled lemon juice if you can help it. The flavor difference is night and day. For best results, use a hand juicer to get every drop out of those fresh lemons, and if you have extra lemons, slice one up for a lemon slice garnish!

Step 4. Serve

Pour it into a glass over plenty of ice. If you’re feeling extra, a sprig of mint or a few berries on top never hurt anybody!

Pouring old fashioned lemonade into a glass

2 finished glasses of old fashioned lemonade

Storage

Store any remaining lemonade in the fridge. It’ll stay fresh and tasty for about 5 to 7 days. If the pulp settles at the bottom, just give it a quick stir before you pour your next glass!