This homemade lemonade recipe is just the thing for a hot summer day. Made with 3 simple ingredients, it’s sweet, refreshing, and deliciously tart.

This homemade lemonade recipe is so refreshing on a hot day! Made with 3 simple ingredients—water, lemon juice, and simple syrup—it’s sweet, citrusy, and deliciously tart. In the summer, I’d happily drink an ice-cold glass every day. (Not surprising given that you’re on Love & Lemons, right?)

This lemonade recipe makes a big batch, so it’d be a great refreshment for your next cookout or BBQ. However, you can easily scale it down if you’re serving a smaller group. Garnish glasses with fresh mint leaves or basil for an aromatic, summery twist, or keep things classic and top each one with a fresh lemon slice. Enjoy!

Homemade Lemonade Ingredients

You only need a few simple ingredients to make this homemade lemonade recipe:

• Fresh lemons, of course! When you’re making homemade lemonade, fresh-squeezed lemon juice is a must. Skip the bottled lemon juice, please! You’ll need about 12 lemons to make a full recipe.
• Simple syrup – For sweetness. Make a traditional simple syrup with equal parts granulated sugar and water, or infuse it with fresh basil or mint for an unexpected twist. Check out my simple syrup recipe to learn how to make a flavored syrup.
• Cold water – It dilutes the lemon juice and simple syrup, balancing the tart and sweet flavors.
• And ice – For a cold, refreshing drink.

Find the complete recipe with measurements below.

How to Make Lemonade

My method for how to make freshly squeezed lemonade is super simple!

• First, you’ll make the simple syrup. Try the basil variation for a more complex flavor.
• Next, juice the lemons. Halve and squeeze lemons until you have 3 cups of lemon juice, or less if you’re making a scaled-down batch. Tip: A good juicer will serve you well here!
• Then, stir it all together. Pour the cooled simple syrup, lemon juice, and water into a pitcher. If you’re serving the lemonade right away, stir in a couple handfuls of ice.
• Finally, taste and adjust. The best part of making homemade lemonade is that you get to adjust the balance of flavors to your liking! If you prefer a sweeter drink, add more simple syrup. If you like yours nice and tart, add more lemon.

Serve over ice with your desired garnishes. We like lemon wheels and/or sprigs of fresh basil or mint.

Enjoy the lemonade on its own, or serve it as part of a summer meal with classic cookout fare like veggie burgers, pasta salad, fruit salad, and corn on the cob.

More Favorite Summer Drinks

If you love this fresh lemonade recipe, try one of these summer drinks next:

This Tom Collins recipe is easy to make with gin, lemon juice, simple syrup, and club soda. Served over ice, this classic cocktail is bright and refreshing.

It’s probably not surprising that I love a Tom Collins cocktail. This sparkling gin drink is only one step removed from homemade lemonade, after all.

Made with gin, fresh lemon juice, simple syrup, and club soda, it’s bright, fizzy, and super refreshing. Plus, because it’s a long drink, meaning that the alcohol is mixed with a good amount of soda water, it’s not as strong as some other cocktails. This makes it perfect for sipping on a hot summer day.

If you’re new to making cocktails at home, I think this Tom Collins recipe is a great place to start. You don’t need any special equipment like a cocktail shaker or strainer, because this drink is traditionally stirred, not shaken. Plus, once you have gin and simple syrup on hand, you’ll be well on your way to making other gin cocktails too. Make this recipe first, and then add a gimlet or French 75 to your list to try next!

Tom Collins Ingredients

A classic Tom Collins cocktail has 4 basic ingredients:

• Gin – According to Difford’s Guide, the Tom Collins cocktail likely originated in London in the 1800s, and it was first made with Old Tom gin (hence the “Tom” part of its name—the “Collins” part comes from the name of the man who popularized it, John Collins). These days, London Dry gin is the common choice for this drink, but I think you can use any type with a flavor profile you love. My go-to brands are Hendrick’s, St. George Botanivore, and Koval Dry Gin.
• Fresh lemon juice – Freshly squeezed, please! Fresh juice will give this cocktail the best, brightest flavor. Bonus: If you have fresh lemons on hand, you can garnish your glass with a lemon slice.
• Simple syrup – For sweetness. No need to buy this—homemade simple syrup is easy to make with equal parts sugar and water.
• Club soda or sparkling water – It adds fizz to the cocktail and dilutes it into a lower-ABV, sip-able drink.

You’ll also need ice for serving, and—if you like—a maraschino cherry (or Luxardo cherry) for garnish. Optional, but fun!

Find the complete recipe with measurements below.

How to Make a Tom Collins Cocktail

I think a Tom Collins is one of the easiest cocktails to make.

• Just stir together the gin, lemon juice, and simple syrup in a collins glass, highball glass, or other tall glass.
• Fill the glass with ice.
• And top with sparkling water!

Stir gently, then taste and adjust before you add your garnishes. If you want a tangier cocktail, squeeze in some extra lemon juice. For a stronger, more herbal drink, add a little extra gin. Want it sweeter? Pour in some more simple syrup.

When you love the flavor, garnish with a lemon slice and/or cocktail cherry, and enjoy!

Find the complete recipe with measurements below.

More Cocktail Recipes to Try

If you love this Tom Collins recipe, try one of these refreshing cocktails next: