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DRINKS · DAILY RECIPE 003

Classic lemonade

Fresh lemon juice makes a bright still drink with evenly dissolved sweetness.

40 minLevel 1 · First steps1 litre / about 4 1/4 cups, 4 servings
Alcohol free
Released 21 October 2026
Classic lemonade — AI-generated serving illustration
AI-generated serving illustration

Have readyMeasuring jug, measuring spoons, spoon, serving glasses

Plan your timePrep 10 min; chill 30 min; total 40 min

AllergensNo major allergens in listed ingredients. Check labels and substitutions.

Ingredients

Makes 1 litre / about 4 1/4 cups, 4 servings

Choose one system throughout. US solid ounces measure weight; fluid ounces measure volume. Conversions are rounded kitchen equivalents.

Let’s make it.

0 / 4 steps

Measure the ingredients and read every step before starting.

  1. Stir sugar into warm water until fully dissolved.

  2. Add lemon juice, then cold water until the finished mixture reaches 1 litre / 4 1/4 cups total. The mark includes juice and syrup.

  3. Taste and adjust with a teaspoon of sugar syrup or lemon if needed. Refrigerate 30 minutes.

  4. Stir and serve over ice with lemon slices.

A little help along the way

Adding ice to individual glasses keeps the jug from becoming diluted.

A little history

An 1887 edition of Jerry Thomas's bartender's guide includes plain lemonade. This small batch version uses a simple sugar syrup and contains no alcohol.

Further reading: Library of Congress Jerry Thomas 1887 Bartenders Guide
Keeping it for later

Cover and refrigerate promptly at 4°C / 40°F or colder. Best served the day it is made. Stir before pouring if the ingredients settle.

This recipe is part of the Play cookbook manuscript and has not been kitchen-tested. Read our recipe and image notes.