Homemade Old-Fashioned Pink Lemonade
Make this classic, refreshing pink lemonade using simple ingredients. It is tart, sweet, and perfect for summer gatherings or a cool afternoon treat.
- Prep Time: 10 min
- Cook Time: 5 min
- Total Time: 45 min
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: Beverage
- Method: Mixing
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup fresh lemon juice (about 4–6 lemons)
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 4 cups cold water
- 1/4 cup cranberry juice or grenadine (for color)
- Ice cubes
- Lemon slices for garnish
Instructions
- Make the simple syrup: Combine the sugar and 1 cup of water in a small saucepan. Heat over medium heat, stirring until the sugar dissolves completely. Remove from heat and let cool slightly.
- In a large pitcher, combine the cooled simple syrup, fresh lemon juice, and the remaining 3 cups of cold water. Stir well.
- Add the cranberry juice or grenadine slowly, stirring until you reach your desired shade of pink. Taste the mixture.
- Adjust sweetness or tartness by adding a little more sugar dissolved in a splash of hot water, or more lemon juice, if needed.
- Chill the lemonade in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before serving for the best flavor.
- Serve the **best pink lemonade** over ice, garnished with fresh lemon slices.
Notes
- For a fizzy pink drink, substitute 1 cup of the cold water with chilled club soda or sparkling water just before serving.
- If you want a strawberry-infused homemade pink lemonade, muddle 1/2 cup of fresh strawberries and add them to the pitcher before chilling. Strain before serving if you prefer no pulp.
- This recipe makes a large 8-serving pitcher, ideal for summer party drinks.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 120
- Sugar: 28g
- Sodium: 5mg
- Fat: 0g
- Saturated Fat: 0g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 31g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 0g
- Cholesterol: 0mg