Easy Lemonade Concentrate
This Lemonade Concentrate recipe is sweet, tangy, and super simple to make! Made with just two ingredients, the concentrate will be ready to pop in the fridge or freezer in under 10 minutes. Add water and serve for the perfect treat on a hot summer day!
Prep Time5 minutes mins
Cook Time5 minutes mins
Total Time10 minutes mins
Course: Drinks
Cuisine: American
Servings: 3 cups of concentrate (12 cups lemonade)
Calories: 138kcal
- 2 tablespoon lemon zest about 2 large lemons
- 2 cups freshly squeezed lemon juice about 8 large lemons
- 2 cups granulated sugar
Lemonade Concentrate
Zest the lemons. Squeeze the lemon juice.
2 tablespoon lemon zest, 2 cups freshly squeezed lemon juice
In a medium saucepan, combine the zest, juice, and sugar. Cook on medium heat, stirring often, until the sugar is dissolved and the mixture is transparent. Do not overheat - If it simmers or boils, turn down immediately.
2 tablespoon lemon zest, 2 cups freshly squeezed lemon juice, 2 cups granulated sugar
Once sugar is dissolved, remove from the heat and cool. If desired, strain out the zest. Store concentrate in the fridge or freezer until ready to use (see notes for more details on storing).
Making the Lemonade
To make the lemonade, combine 1 part concentrate with 3 parts water. For this full recipe, that will be 3 cups of concentrate and 9 cups of water.
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Tips & Tricks
- Use fresh lemons - You can’t substitute store-bought lemon juice in this recipe.
- Don’t overheat while cooking - If the mixture gets too hot, it changes the flavor of the lemon juice. It should not simmer or boil while cooking.
How to Store in Fridge
Store in a jar or air-tight container in the fridge for 1-2 weeks.
How to Freeze
Store in a plastic Tupperware or a zipper freezer bag in the freezer. You can freeze the whole recipe for a larger batch, or freeze in 1 cup measurements for 3 smaller batches. Frozen lemonade concentrate will last for 2-3 months in the freezer. When ready to use, thaw slightly to release from container. Then add to pitcher with 3 parts water and combine.
Serving: 1cup lemonade | Calories: 138kcal | Carbohydrates: 36g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 1mg | Potassium: 44mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 34g | Vitamin A: 3IU | Vitamin C: 17mg | Calcium: 4mg | Iron: 1mg