Microwave your lemons for 10-20 seconds to soften the pulp and get more juice. If you don’t have a lemon press, squeeze the lemon to get most of the juice out. Then, press a fork or mixer beater into the lemon pulp and twist it to release the rest of the juice. You can get a lemon press at your local grocery or department store or online.
Make sure your pitcher can hold at least 8 cups (1. 9 L) of fluids.
If you don’t want your lemonade to be as sweet, you can add less sugar. Try adding just 1/2 or 3/4 cup (112-165 g) of sugar. Don’t add your water until the sugar dissolves so that the lemon juice isn’t diluted. It will take the sugar longer to dissolve in diluted lemon juice.
It’s best to use cool water so that your lemonade will chill faster. If you made simple syrup, just add 5 cups (1. 2 L) of water.
You may see some sugar at the bottom of the pitcher, and that’s okay. However, you shouldn’t see a cloud of sugar.
If the lemonade is too sour, add a few tablespoons of sugar. If the lemonade is too sweet, add the juice of half a lemon.
After your lemonade is cold, it’s up to you if you want to use ice. If you don’t like ice, it’s okay to skip it.
Stir your lemonade before you serve it so that the ingredients will be mixed well. It’s normal for them to separate while the lemonade sits in the refrigerator.
Use 1 teaspoon (4. 9 mL) of liquid stevia. [11] X Research source Try 6 tbsp (18 g) of granulated monk fruit sweetener or 8 teaspoons (39 mL) of liquid monk fruit sweetener. [12] X Research source
Try plain sparkling water or use flavored sparkling water to create a unique blend. For instance, strawberry sparkling water could make strawberry-lemonade, peach seltzer will make peach-lemonade, and lemon-flavored sparkling water will enhance the flavor of your lemonade. If you’re making simple syrup, use regular water to make it. Then, replace the rest of your water with sparkling water.
The lavender-infused lemonade will not be purple. If you want to create a lavender color, add 1-2 drops of purple food coloring and stir. If you do not have purple food coloring, add 1 drop of red food coloring and 1 drop of blue food coloring. Be sure to stir the lemonade well to blend all of the colors.
If you’re adding strawberries to your lemonade after you mix it, you don’t need to replace any of the water. Just add the strawberries to the prepared lemonade. Let your strawberry lemonade sit for a few minutes before you serve it to give the strawberry juices time to mix with the lemonade.
Play around with different types of liquor to see which you like the best.
Slip a short sprig of lavender, rosemary, or thyme into each glass. Drop 2-3 fresh mint or basil leaves into the lemonade. Cut a slit into lemon or lime slices, then slide 1 onto each glass. Slice the bottom of a strawberry and push it down onto the rim of the glass. Serve the lemonade in mason jars and add a colorful paper straw for a rustic touch. Serve the lemonade in a tall glass with a paper umbrella and a maraschino cherry for a tropical refreshment.
