There is nothing like fresh lemonade. Making homemade lemonade concentrate from fresh lemons and freezing it for later results in the most delicious pitcher of lemonade. So when you have loads of lemons - grab this recipe & get prepping! You will be glad you did.
The sweet, tart, and bright flavors of lemons make for a combination that is the quintessential summer drink. And pick some extras to make a creamy, sweet, & tart North Carolina Lemon Pie.
Each batch makes a half-gallon of lemonade and it can be frozen for months to enjoy later. You will never want to buy store-bought Minute Maid lemonade concentrate again once you make it homemade.
Jump to:
- Why Make Lemonade Concentrate at Home
- Picking Lemons to Make Concentrate
- How to Make Lemonade Concentrate from Scratch
- Concentrate with Fresh Lemon Juice
- INGREDIENTS FOR HOMEMADE LEMONADE CONCENTRATE
- How to Make Homemade Lemonade Concentrate
- How to Make Simple Syrup
- How to store the concentrate
- Lemonade Recipe from Homemade Concentrate
- Homemade Lemonade Ratio :
- Product Recommendations for this Recipe:
- Homemade Lemonade Concentrate
Why Make Lemonade Concentrate at Home
Unfortunately, lemons are at their peak of the season in late winter and early spring. Still a great time to have homemade lemonade (I mean really - my kids will drink lemonade any time). But when you want fresh homemade lemonade in summer, honestly the lemons are just not the same.
Will fresh home-grown lemons be so much better than the frozen canned lemonade concentrate you get at the store? YES! It is the best! Here are some great reasons why you need to make your own lemonade concentrate.
- You not only know where your food came from, especially if they are your own lemons
- You can use organic sugar if you want.
- You can make it tarter or sweeter if you want.
- You can use real sugar or even a low or no-calorie sweetener.
- Storing small batches of concentrate takes a lot less fridge or freezer space than entire batches of lemonade.
This is why making this recipe to enjoy later is a great idea. Making this homemade lemonade concentrate can preserve your lemons when they are at their peak.
Picking Lemons to Make Concentrate
We have a large lemon bush in our yard that bursts with so much fruit each year, it is hard to use them all up. We share them with neighbors, friends, and family but still so many. Well, this year I decided to make lemonade often but wanted to preserve some for later.
In the past, I would juice the lemons and freeze just the juice. It is like homemade lemon juice concentrate. I freeze or refrigerate it and later use it for hot water with lemon or when I want lemon juice for a cocktail - say Lemontini!
How to Make Lemonade Concentrate from Scratch
To make the best homemade lemonade concentrate recipe, it starts with fresh lemons, of course. A few more ingredients and a delicious homemade lemonade will be ready to enjoy in no time.
Many of us know just how freshly squeezed lemons, sugar, and ice-cold water makes the perfect drink. Unfortunately, lemons are not always in season so if you could make lemonade concentrate and save it for later, preserving lemons for lemonade would be fantastic.
Then it hit me! Why not make homemade lemonade concentrate.? Then it is ready whenever we want in the months to come. All I would have to do is defrost it a bit and add water. I googled some recipes and there are not many out there.
To be honest, it was just not the right amount of sweet to tart for me. After a few tries and even a KETO LOW CARB VERSION, I came up with two recipes that are foolproof and amazing for lemonade!
Concentrate with Fresh Lemon Juice
Making this recipe calls for fresh lemon juice and a few other ingredients. It is a quick and simple way to make batches of concentrate to later turn into gallons of fresh lemonade.
Why is it called "lemonade" and not lemon juice? Well, simply it is an ade because it includes lemon juice, sugar, and water. Compared to orange juice, which is simply just fresh-squeezed juice from oranges with no added ingredients. To learn more about the history of lemonade, check out more on HOWSTUFFWORKS!
INGREDIENTS FOR HOMEMADE LEMONADE CONCENTRATE
You only need 3 ingredients to make lemonade concentrate. These 3 ingredients you likely already have in your home or in your garden which make this a simple recipe just about anyone can make.
There is no reason to buy canned concentrate when you can use whole ingredients, including organic lemons if you have them, to make the best concentrate for mixing up fresh lemonade.
- Lemons
- Sugar
- Water
How many lemons to make homemade lemonade?
It is based on the size of your lemons and how juicy they are. To make one gallon of lemonade using lemons, you likely need 8-10 lemons. Our home-grown lemons are HUGE as you can see. So for each batch of concentrate to make homemade lemonade we use about 6. But when we have some store-bought lemons it takes more and that is what I estimated for this recipe since that is what most people will be using.
The lemonade concentrate can be frozen for later. Each batch of this homemade lemonade concentrate recipe will later make a gallon of lemonade once you mix it with the additional water. For a half-gallon of homemade lemonade, use a one-quart-sized bag of this concentrate recipe.
Ingredients for homemade lemonade concentrate[/caption]
How to Make Homemade Lemonade Concentrate
The 4 simple steps to make this recipe are:
- Wash & Slice lemons in half
- Squeeze juice from the lemons
- Make the simple syrup
- Stir to combine
What is Simple Syrup?
For this lemonade concentrate recipe, you will need to make a batch of simple syrup. What is simple syrup? It is a cooked mixture of equal parts water and sugar. It is cooked so that the sugar dissolves and a thick sweet syrup is made.
How to Make Simple Syrup
To make simple syrup, simply (hence the name) boil water and add equal amounts of sugar. Stir to dissolve. Once the sugar dissolves it will create a slightly thick sweet compound, simple syrup. Let this cool before the next steps in making the lemonade concentrate.
How to store the concentrate
- Save in sealed mason jar or quart-sized Ziploc bags
- Can keep for 3 weeks in the refrigerator
- Can keep for up to 6 months in the freezer
Lemonade Recipe from Homemade Concentrate
Making homemade lemonade with this recipe is so easy and makes the best drink any time of year. When the time comes to enjoy the fruits of your labor, get ready to be so happy you prepped it weeks or months ago.
If you froze your concentrate, remove it from the freezer to defrost. For the Ziploc bags, I place them in a pie dish in the fridge overnight. The next morning they are soft enough to unzip and dump into my pitcher. If you have the concentrate in a jar, just pour it into your pitcher.
Homemade Lemonade Ratio :
One Batch of Concentrate + 3 Cups of Cold Water = ½ Gallon of Fresh Homemade Lemonade
Two Batches of Concentrate + 6 Cups of Cold Water = 1 Gallon of Fresh Homemade Lemonade
Product Recommendations for this Recipe:
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Homemade Lemonade Concentrate
Equipment
- hand juicer
Ingredients
- 1.25 C fresh-squeezed lemon juice about 8-10 lemons
- 1.25 C hot water
- 1.25 C sugar
Instructions
- Pick lemons from your tree if you have one. Use fresh lemons from the store or farmer’s markets too. Wash the lemons and cut in half.
- Squeeze the juice from the lemons. You will need 1 and ¼ cups of fresh juice. Add to a large mason jar or big pyrex measuring cup to hold.
- Boil water in a large measuring pyrex or tea kettle.
- In a medium-sized bowl or your pyrex measuring cup, stir together the boiling water with the 1 and ¼ cup of sugar. Stir to dissolve.
- Once cool, add to the lemon juice. Stir.
- Store in mason jars or pour into a quart-sized Ziploc bag. The lemonade concentrate can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 weeks. It can be stored in the freezer for up to 5 months.
WHEN READY TO MAKE THE LEMONADE:
- Each recipe will make a half-gallon of lemonade. Add one batch of the concentrate to 3 cups of cold water in a pitcher. 2 batches plus 6 cups of water for a gallon of lemonade. Stir and serve over ice. Enjoy!
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Shantana Dutta says
This looks so refreshing.
Greetings from Sydney. Take care and stay safe.
Angela says
Thank you
Nart | Cooking with Nart says
Looks lovely! We grow lemons here too although I believe a different type...but sure I'll use them to try this recipe!
Diane Kurzava says
I've never thought of making concentrate! This is a great idea and so easy. Thanks for sharing!
Angela says
I am not sure why it took me so long to think of it too but now that I have we make a ton. We have 3 frozen readies for later already and still have more lemons on our tree!
Debbie says
Love the idea of making your own frozen concentrate and having it own hand!
Angela says
It is a great way to enjoy lemonade at any time!
Lisa Manderino says
This is a great idea! I wish I had a lemon or orange tree that I could do this!
Jennifer says
Cool idea to do with lemons. so that can keep in the fridge and freezer
Angela says
Our freezer is stocked with 3 bags of this already and we still have a lot more lemons to work through.
Sydney says
Yum! This would make wonderful lemonade.
Angela says
It is quite wonderful.
Casandra says
What a great idea to use up lemons while they are in season!
Angela says
Exactly, we will be doing this every year for sure.
Cindy says
mmmm...super delicious. Makes me want summer to come fatser!
Angela says
I hear you, I am ready for summer and hoping we can all get outside and be with family and friends to share some lemonade with soon.
Debbi H says
This looks delicious!
Angela says
It is refreshing and delish.
Cathy says
Looks like a great idea! Thanks for sharing
Angela says
You are welcome
Angie says
This looks like a fun activity to do with the kids and how much fun to serve it when they have a sleepover!
Angela says
To be honest, the kids have made this so much lately that they do pretty much all the work.
Charlene says
Love this! I go through lemons like crazy all year long - maybe I should plant a tree?
Angela says
Yes, plant one if your area can grow citrus.
Tim says
Your lemonade looks delicious. Great thought to make concentrate.
Angela says
Thanks, Tim - we have SOOOO many lemons each year that this year it finally donned on me to make now and enjoy later!
Tricia Snow says
This looks amazing! I love fresh lemonade. Perfect for summer!
Angela says
A little work now makes for great rewards later.
Tiffany says
Look at the size of those lemons! This sounds like a great idea to do when lemons are plentiful!
Angela says
Our lemon tree is an odd one actually - it appears to have 2 kinds of lemons on it. We get these huge round grapefruit-like lemons with a thick skin and smaller oblong ones with thin skin. All yum though and so juicy!
Christina says
What an amazing idea for home-grown lemons!
Angela says
Yes it is.
Hillari says
Yum!!! And, oh my gosh, that lemon was HUGE!!!
Kendra says
such a great way to use up all of those lemons! yum!
Angela says
Yes and we sure do get a lot!
jen says
This is super! Totally going to try this one out!
Angela says
Great! Enjoy and let me know what you think.
Chantelle says
This looks fun AND yummy!
heather J jandrue says
This sounds so good!
Angela says
Thank you
Lisa says
I have a bunch of lemons I need to use up, so this is a great idea! Thanks for sharing.
Angela says
Great, I hate to waste food and this is a great way to make sure you use up all those lovely lemons!
Suzan says
Love this. Great way to store fresh lemons when in season.
Angela says
We have so many and so happy to not have any waste.
Sandi says
I am extremely jealous you have a lemon tree!
Angela says
We actually have two - eek! We have a total of 9 fruit trees, including two avocados! One of the best things about California living.
Michele says
That lemon is huge! The ones off of our tree are tiny in comparison. What’s the secret?
Angela says
The tree was here when we bought the house and I am not sure what variety it is so that may be the key?
Cindy says
This is a great idea to try! I’m looking forward to making my own lemonade concentrate.
chad says
oh my yes to lemon juice!!! I would have it every day if i can especially during summer...
Michelle says
This is such a great idea! This is so much better than the powdered mix.
Liz says
Lemon and sugar, yum.
Ana Smith says
I wish I could reach out and pick up one of those jars!
Thanks for sharing this awesome information.
Anindya Sundar Basu says
Summer is the best tme to enjoy lemonade . We make lemonade every now and then and this recipe will definitely help. Thanks a lot
Kez says
I wish I had room for a lemon tree! Lemons are ridiculously small and expensive here
Patrice says
Love the idea of making a concentrate for later use. Lemonade is such a summer tradition in our family.
Alpa says
Easy and refreshing summer drink! My kids favorite
reece says
this looks so tasty! thanks for sharing
Travel Clans says
reminds me of my childhood and selling lemonade on the street corner! sigh!
Angela says
So sweet, yes great times in childhood working lemonade stands.
Jackie says
This had the perfect amount of sweetness and just how we like our lemonade.
Angela says
Great, glad you enjoyed it.
Neecee B says
Love this recipe. Reminds me of my grandmother's.
Angela says
So glad to hear that and what a great food memory.
Alpa says
I made this and it was great. Kids love homemade lemonade
Angela says
Thanks for the comment and letting me know the kids loved it. Makes my day.
Anindya Sundar Basu says
Homemade lemonades are best for summers . I will love to have this all seasons . Thanks for the recipe
Angela says
You are welcome.
Ai says
This seems like the perfect thing to keep in your freezer for those lemonade cravings!
Angela says
It sure is, in fact we are going to make a batch today from our freezer. It has been close to 100° here in CA for several days.
Jacqueline Debono says
I love the idea of freezing this lemonade concentrate to be able to have homemade lemonade long after our lemon tree has no more fruit!
Sid says
I love lemonade. Such a great idea to make the concentrate and freeze for later. I’ll definitely be using your recipe.
LaRena Fry says
Brillant!! Homemade lemonade sounds great. I love that you can place into a sealable plastic bag and freeze it.
Lathiya says
I love good homemade lemonade in hot summer days. Making it in big batch and storing is a great way to enjoy lemonade whenever needed.
Ruby Mae says
Made 4 batches today. Two are in my freezer and one fresh recipe.I just had a glass. It is the perfect sweetness. I had so many lemons from a neighbor and needed a recipe to use them all up. I gave my neighbor a ziplock for her freezer as a thank you.
Angela says
Ah, thanks, Ruby. I love hearing this was so good and shared amongst wonderful neighbors. No better way to enjoy some homemade lemonade from your own concentrate recipe.
Yugi says
I'm using this recipe for a dinner for those with food insecurity. A question about quantity - my concentrate made 4 cups of liquid and you say to add 4 cups of cold water to make a gallon; however that total only makes a 1/2 gallon. What am I missing?
Angela says
Thanks for the catch Yugi, you are right it is supposed to be for a half-gallon you use one batch. I just realized the pitcher I use to make this is not a gallon pitcher but a half gallon. I have adjusted the post. Sorry about that.
sparky says
I made this recipe and made the half gallon. I then made a half gallon of iced tea and combined for Arnold Palmers. So glad to find this recipe to make the lemonade homemade and not use the powdered stuff.
Angela says
What a lovely idea to use this homemade lemonade concentrate to make Arnold Palmer. I will try this soon myself.
Charlotte says
I made 8 batches. We had so many lemons this year on our trees. I haven't make lemonade yet but excited to have a freezer full and ready.