Classic Homemade Lemonade with Fresh Mint

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Refreshing homemade lemonade made with freshly squeezed lemons, pure cane sugar, and a hint of mint for an easy summer drink. This american-inspired dumplings ready in about 15 minutes pairs (from about 6 lemons) fresh lemon juice, granulated sugar, divided water for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 110 calories and feeds 6, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart.

★ 4.5 (10 ratings) Prep: 10 min Cook: 5 min Serves 6 American cuisine 110 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a small saucepan, combine 3/4 cup granulated sugar and 1 cup water. Heat over medium heat, stirring occasionally until the sugar dissolves completely, about 3-4 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool to room temperature to create simple syrup.
  2. Step 2: In a large pitcher, combine 1 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice with the cooled simple syrup. Add remaining 4 cups cold water and stir well to combine.
  3. Step 3: Lightly bruise 10 fresh mint leaves by gently twisting them between your fingers and add to the lemonade. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to infuse the mint flavor.
  4. Step 4: Serve over ice cubes in tall glasses with extra mint leaves for garnish if desired.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Classic Homemade Lemonade with Fresh Mint take to make?

Total time is about 15 minutes (10 min prep + 5 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Classic Homemade Lemonade with Fresh Mint?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep granulated sugar from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Classic Homemade Lemonade with Fresh Mint?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Classic Homemade Lemonade with Fresh Mint for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

What goes well with Classic Homemade Lemonade with Fresh Mint?

American dumplings like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

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