Homemade Lemonade

This homemade boardwalk lemonade recipe is a true taste of New Jersey. It's a simple lemonade recipe that's tart, sweet, and the perfect way to beat the heat.

Homemade Boardwalk Lemonade

I could easily fry eggs on my sidewalk this week.  The thermometer has been over 90 almost every day, and this weekend was no different. I like all the sunshine but I could do without the extreme heat and humidity.

While I'm not a fan of the oppressive heat, it does give me an excuse to make my famous - at least at our house - homemade boardwalk lemonade. It's a Jersey classic, and I can't wait for you to try it.

Why You'll Love This Recipe

• It only takes a handful of simple ingredients to make.
• It's an easy recipe that's ready in minutes.
• Lemonade is a classic summer staple to beat the heat.
• It's perfect for keeping on hand for sipping or making in large batches for parties.

How to Choose the Best Lemons

Not all lemons are created equal, and in a recipe like this boardwalk lemonade, where the juice is the star of the show, it's important to choose the best lemons possible.

These tips will help you choose the best lemons for lemonade.

• Look for bright yellow lemons that have no signs of green on their rinds and are a vibrant color rather than pale.
• Perfectly ripe lemons should feel firm and a bit heavy for their size, indicating juiciness.
• Lemons with smooth skin are the best for juicing.

Ingredients

When I say this recipe only uses a few ingredients, I mean it. It only takes five ingredients to make, and of those two are water and ice. The ingredients are here, but you'll find the exact quantities in the recipe card at the end of the post.

• Sugar
• Water
• Fresh lemon juice
• Sliced lemon
• Crushed ice

How to Make Homemade Boardwalk Lemonade

Making this delicious lemonade is as easy as one-two-three. Well, it's actually as easy as one. It only takes one step!

Step 1: Combine all the Ingredients

Combine the sugar and 1 cup of water in a small saucepan and heat on medium heat until the sugar dissolves. Then, combine all the ingredients in a large pitcher. Add ice and enjoy.

Variations

• Try adding fresh strawberries or blueberries directly to the pitcher. Or make this Fresh Strawberry Lemonade.
• Add vodka to taste for an adult version of this lemonade.
• Adding basil or mint to the pitcher adds a wonderful flavor.
• Use limes instead to make limeade.

Equipment

• Measuring cups
• Knife
• Saucepan
• Pitcher
• Large spoon

Storage

Refrigerate this lemonade for up to 5 days in a pitcher. For longer storage, freeze it in an air-tight, freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. Then, simply defrost it and enjoy!

Tips

• To get the most juice out of your lemons, microwave them for 10 seconds, then roll them firmly on the counter.
• Use superfine sugar so it dissolves easily into the lemonade.
• Be sure to juice your lemons through a strainer to keep out those pesky seeds.
• If you have leftover lemonade, remove any ice before storing it so it doesn't get watered down.

What to Serve with Homemade Boardwalk Lemonade

This delicious lemonade is a summer favorite, and it's perfect with your other summer favorites. There's nothing like a cold drink and delicious eats, so try any of these with your lemonade.

1. Avocado, Tomato, and Arugula Salad
2. Strawberry Feta Skewers with Basil
3. Black Bean Burgers from Sally's Baking Addiction
4. Grilled Scallops from Hey Grill, Hey
5. Elote (Mexican Grilled Corn) from The Noshery
6. Super Easy Guacamole (with chips of course!)
7. Caramel Nectarine Tart

FAQ

What is boardwalk lemonade?

Boardwalk lemonade is a simple summer staple of New Jersey. It's a relatively uninvolved lemonade recipe that only uses sugar, water, and lemons.

Why is my lemonade bitter?

The most common culprit of bitter homemade lemonade is pith. It's easy to accidentally get pith into your lemonade mixture when you're hand squeezing your lemons. After you squeeze the lemon juice, immediately examine your lemonade mixture for any little white bits. Those are pith, and they will make your lemonade extremely bitter.

Can you freeze homemade lemonade?

Absolutely. Homemade lemonade freezes very well. Simply pour the lemonade - without the ice - into a freezer-safe container with a lid and store it for up to 3 months.

More Summer Drinks to Enjoy

If you're a fan of deliciously cold and refreshing drinks on a hot summer day, then I have some winners for you right here.

1. Strawberry Mojitos with Fresh Strawberries
2. Mason Jar Citrus Coolers from Woman's Day
3. Strawberry Lemon Water with Fresh Mint
4. Piña Colada from A Couple Cooks
5. Strawberry Mango Smoothie
6. Cucumber Citrus Water
7. Non Alcoholic Berry Spritzers 

If you enjoyed this homemade boardwalk lemonade recipe, please give it a 5-star rating below!

RECIPE

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5 from 2 votes

Simple Homemade Lemonade

This homemade lemonade is simple, classic, and refreshing! The perfect sweet and tangy summer beverage!

Servings: 6

Calories: 166kcal

Author: Jersey Girl Cooks (Lisa Grant)

Ingredients

• 1 cup sugar
• 6 cups water
• 6 large lemons juiced
• 1 lemon sliced
• plenty of crushed ice

Instructions

• In a small saucepan, mix together the sugar and 1 cup of water. Heat on medium until sugar dissolves. Put the sugar water, regular water, lemon juice and sliced lemon in a large pitcher. Add ice and stir.

Notes

You can adjust the sweetness by adding more or less sugar to your liking.

Nutrition

Calories: 166kcal | Carbohydrates: 45g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 15mg | Potassium: 174mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 36g | Vitamin A: 24IU | Vitamin C: 67mg | Calcium: 40mg | Iron: 1mg

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