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    Home » Recipes » drinks

    Homemade Lemonade

    First Published: August 3, 2020 . Last Modified: July 19, 2024 lisa11 Comments This post may contain affiliate links

    Jump to Recipe

    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.

    Closeup shot of glassful of homemade boardwalk lemonade.

    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.
    Closeup shot of glassful of homemade boardwalk lemonade with pitcher of lemonade in background.

    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
    pitcher and glass of lemonade

    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!

    homemade lemonade

    RECIPE

    glass of homemade lemonade
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe SaveSaved!
    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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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Kate

      July 07, 2012 at 4:47 am

      I'm kinda jealous of the warm weather! It got cold here again. Like someone forgot it was summer.

      Reply
    2. claudia @whats cookin italian cuisine

      July 07, 2012 at 8:19 am

      I love fresh lemons, they are so healthy I wrote a whole article on them. Everyone should take the time to have fresh lemonade this is the perfect recipe... love it!

      Reply
    3. Danielle D'Ambrosio

      July 07, 2012 at 10:04 am

      It has been HOT! I love this lemonade - we usually sit some jalapenos in ours for a bit of a kick!

      Reply
    4. Velva

      July 07, 2012 at 10:56 am

      I can relate to the extreme heat and humidity. Fresh made lemonade sound really refreshing. A bit of vodka added to this summer drink sounds really good.
      The idea of microwaving the lemons for 10 seconds will be something I will do in the future.

      Velva

      Reply
    5. Karen Harris

      July 07, 2012 at 7:30 pm

      I love lemonade and I'm with Velva, a shot of vodka makes it all the better. Your blog has a beautiful new look since my last visit. I love it!

      Reply
    6. Mary

      July 08, 2012 at 11:03 am

      This sounds so refreshing and your photos of the lemonade are spectacular. I have to make a pitcher of this. Have a wonderful weekend. Blessings...Mary

      Reply
    7. Culinary Cory

      July 08, 2012 at 12:29 pm

      Cool and refreshing on these hot summer days.

      Reply
    8. Barbara @ Barbara Bakes

      July 08, 2012 at 6:23 pm

      Love how crystal clear this lemonade is. Can't wait to try it.

      Reply
    9. Ramona

      July 09, 2012 at 10:15 am

      Thanks for the lemons tip

      Reply
    10. Nathan King

      August 13, 2020 at 2:30 pm

      5 stars
      I always forget how easy it is to make your own lemonade. Will definitely have to try this recipe!

      Reply
    11. Phyllis

      August 29, 2020 at 11:49 am

      5 stars
      Refreshing and healthy. Jersey Girl is the best!

      Reply

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