Here is an easy recipe I’m sharing straight from my kitchen for how to make fresh lemonade from real lemons. This fresh squeezed lemonade recipe is refreshing, it has zero calories, is healthy, and super easy to make in no time at all!
So dump out that powered lemonade because not only am I going to show you how to make fresh squeezed lemonade by the glass that will actually do good for your body’s health and not harm it.
Lemons are very healthy, and it’s a common ingredient in even desserts, such as my Italian lemon ricotta pie recipe, or my Italian lemon cake recipe. So make sure to save the skins so you can use them for zests.
But when it comes to homemade lemonade, you can’t get fresher than that.
Plus, I’ll give some ideas for some easy to use lemon presses that are really super affordable on Amazon!
But first, I need to explain how to make lemonade with lemons the old-fashioned way, and how we can turn that version into a healthier version with one simple ingredient that won’t alter the refreshing sweet flavor we cherish!
HOW DO YOU MAKE OLD-FASHIONED LEMONADE?
I have a cookbook in my collection from 1955 (image below) and sure enough it has a recipe for how to make traditional lemonade.
Since the date of the cookbook’s publication goes back to the mid-50s (the first publication is from the 40s), I certainly think this fits the category of old-fashioned.
One Cup of Old-Fashioned Lemonade
This book’s traditional lemonade recipe is rather simple, keep in mind this is for 1 cup of lemonade.
You simply add the juice of 1 lemon to ¾ cup of water along with 1 ½ Tablespoons of sugar. Stir until dissolved and pour over cubes of ice.
A Pitcher of Old-Fashioned Lemonade
There is also a recipe for a pitcher that will serve 6 glasses and that recipe calls for an entire cup of sugar syrup. Sugar syrup is 1 and ¼ cups of sugar dissolved in ¾ cup of water.
Divided by 6 servings that is just a little less than a quarter of a cup of sugar per glass! If you wanted more than one glass to drink you’ll be digesting ½ Cup of sugar!
Yikes!
HOW TO MAKE HOMEMADE LEMONADE WITH LEMONS YET MUCH LESS SUGAR
Making old-fashioned lemonade is great, but times have changed and we are a much more health-conscious society.
Our consumption of sugar has risen dramatically over the past decades leading to all sorts of health issues from obesity to diabetes.
Does this mean no more old-fashioned lemonade??
It certainly does not!
In fact, knowing how to make homemade lemonade with lemons, as in real lemons, is loaded with additional health benefits.
Since fresh lemons are an excellent source of vitamin C and is also rich in potassium, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, and helps maintain a healthy pH balance within our bodies, we don’t want to counter all those health benefits by adding loads of sugar to it, right?
The secret for how to make fresh squeezed lemonade without sacrificing both health benefits and the old-fashioned traditional lemonade flavor is very simple….
Stevia!
Stevia makes the lemonade beautifully sweet, and at zero, yes ZERO calories!
A few drops of liquid organic Stevia and you will have the most refreshing glass of lemonade you’ve ever had in your life! Just like the traditional homemade lemonade from years ago!
48 CALORIES FOR ONE GLASS OF LEMONADE VS. 0 CALORIES
On a one to one ratio, Stevia has approximately 300 times the sweetness of sugar, according to an article on the LiveStrong website.
The FDA has approved refined Stevia as an official substitute for sugar but not whole leave or crude extracts.
Let’s compare – you can either use 1 ¼ Tablespoons of sugar at just over 48 calories (per glass) or have ZERO calories for liquid stevia, no matter how many glasses you make.
PLUS with the liquid Stevia, you don’t have the annoyance of stirring until the sugar dissolves, you just add the liquid and stir.
You can order organic Liquid Stevia which comes in a small bottle, but trust me you won’t run out anytime soon.
For a 16 oz glass of lemonade I only use a few drops, at most one teaspoon depending on how much lemon juice I get from my lemon.
Finally! Here’s my recipe for how to make real lemonade!
HOW TO MAKE A CUP OF LEMONADE WITH REAL LEMONS
Healthy Homemade Lemonade from Real Lemons
Ingredients
- 1 real lemon
- 1/2 tsp liquid Stevia to taste (more or less)
- 16 oz water
- ice cubes optional
Instructions
- Using a juice press, squeeze the lemon to extract all the fresh juice
- Pour into glass and add 1/2 tsp liquid Stevia (adjust amount to taste)
- Serve chilled over ice or at room temperature (per your preference!)
Notes
HOW TO MAKE FRESH SQUEEZED LEMONADE WITH A PRESS
The good news is technically you don’t need any special press or juicer. Simply squeezing the juice out with your hands will work fine, but it’s messy and you won’t get all the juice out if you were to use a press.
There are different types of presses as shown below.
Stainless steel Manual Juicer
Stainless Steel Lemonade Press with Glass Bottom
Large Cast Iron Lemonade/Citrus Manual Press
Large Orange Cast Iron Lemonade/Citrus Manual Press
SHOULD YOU USE LIQUID STEVIA VS GRANULAR STEVIA IN YOUR FRESH SQUEEZED LEMONADE
My recommendation is to use liquid. It’s more convenient.
But if you only have granular Stevia onhand and want to get busy making your glass of freshly squeezed lemonade right away, you can easily add a half a packet and taste-test it to your liking. If you want it sweeter add more.
Just remember, Stevia is sweeter than sugar so you don’t need nearly as much as you normally would with sugar.
CAN YOU USE CONCENTRATED LEMON JUICE INSTEAD OF REAL LEMONS?
Fresh lemons will give you a more refreshing and fulfilling flavor. I’ve tried using lemon juice before and it doesn’t even come close. I have no recommendations for making it with concentrated juice b/c I do not do it myself.
But if you know how to make lemonade with lemons, not concentrated lemon juice, you’ll be healthier and happy for it!
Fresh lemons are the way to go!
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