A big pitcher of homemade lemonade isn’t only quick to make, it’s really easy to customize. Whether you want a spiked lemonade for the adults, a fruit-infused beverage for the kids, or just a clever twist on an old classic, these homemade lemonade recipes are sure to please a crowd! Summer cookouts and picnics and laid-back afternoon socials are the perfect time to treat your guests (and yourself) to a homemade classic. With a bag of lemons, you’re already well on you way to making the season’s perfect refreshment. But for a really fresh take on lemonade, we recommend using fresh, filtered water. Whenever water is a main ingredient in your recipes, it’s best to add to high quality drinking water instead of plain tap water. That’s what will really set your lemonade apart!

Classic Country Lemonade

Serves 8 (makes 8 cups) Total Time: 1 hr 15 min Active Time: 15 min

Ingredients

• 10 lemons (for about 2 cups of fresh lemon juice)
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 6 cups filtered water

Directions

1. Make a simple syrup by combining sugar and 1 cup of water in a saucepan. Bring mixture to a boil and stir until all the sugar is dissolved. Let cool, then put the syrup in your lemonade pitcher. Refrigerate for 1 hour, or until chilled. 2. Juice your lemons! Add 2 cups of fresh lemon juice to the simple syrup in your pitcher. 3. Pour in the filtered water by the cup—adding more or less than the 6 cups to fit your taste preference. Stir to combine. Serve over ice and enjoy!

We prefer using water filtered by reverse osmosis in our lemonade because it really helps the other flavors shine. Even though tap water is treated by the city, a lot of unpleasant contaminants can be left behind. RO filtration systems not only polish your drinking water for a better taste—they help keep your family’s drinking water safe. Check out our other two recipes for some fun variations on traditional lemonade. They both start with the same lemonade base, but the extra ingredients give you a whole new experience!

Pink Polka Dot Lemonade

Serves 8-10 Active Time: 5 min (with pre-made lemonade)

Ingredients

• 8 cups homemade lemonade (see recipe above)
• 1 cup superfine sugar
• 2 cups cranberry juice
• Blueberries and Raspberries, for serving

Directions

1. Grab a fresh batch of your classic homemade lemonade. 2. Add superfine sugar and cranberry juice to your lemonade pitcher. Stir until all the sugar is dissolved—adding more or less sugar than the 1 cup to fit your taste preference. 3. Serve over ice and garnish with berries. Yum!

Thyme for Lime Lemonade

Serves 8-10 Active Time: 5 min (with pre-made lemonade)

Ingredients

• 8 cups homemade lemonade (see recipe above)
• 5 limes (for about 2/3 cup of fresh lime juice)
• 20 sprigs fresh thyme, plus extra for serving

Directions

1. Grab a fresh batch of your classic homemade lemonade. 2. Juice your limes in a separate bowl, then use a wooden spoon to muddle the thyme with the fresh lime juice. Strain mixture and add to your lemonade pitcher. Stir to combine. 3. Serve over ice and garnish with thyme sprigs. Cheers!

Still want another way to spruce up your glass? Try adding a splash of grenadine to your lemonade. It’ll go great with any of these recipes and is a really easy way to add new flavor to a family favorite. Isn’t making lemonade easier than you thought? Filtered water, lemons, sugar, and a little imagination—that’s really all you need to get a great homemade taste!