An old Southern lemonade recipe that kicks lemonade up a notch by utilizing lemon zest for a beautiful and flavorful drink!
PIN this Old Fashioned Southern Lemonade recipe in your SPRING, SUMMER, BRUNCH, AND DRINK BOARDS on PINTEREST. And follow Sweet Tea & Thyme on Pinterest for more tips, hacks, and tasty recipes!
This lemonade recipe is tried and true. Given to me by a military neighbor back in Virginia Beach, it's honestly the best lemonade I (and anyone else who's had a cup) ever tasted.
Not super sweet, not too tart, it's absolutely thirst-quenching on those dog-days of summer, which are coming dangerously close now. And in the south, the heat is something we endure with a cup of lemonade that doesn't burn our throats. Don't you hate that? Those over-acidic lemonades kill me!
Since my family lives in Miami now, it's going to be sweltering! I was enjoying those 74 degree F days of February...
Old fashioned southern lemonade is a bit more time-consuming than my 'shake up a lemon with some sugar water' country fair lemonade, but I consider this recipe to be much better than a typical pitcher of lemonade.
I love a good glass of lemonade in the heat of spring and summer, especially while sitting out on my patio and writing out a new post.
I.e. I'm drinking a glass right now.
Let's talk lemonade techniques.
So sure, this seems like a lot for some lemons and sugar water. But! I consider these steps key to making picture (or pitcher ;p) perfect lemonade: the zest simmered down in the simple syrup brings out a beautiful yellow color and gives the lemonade great flavor from the zest's oils. And a lemon syrup isn't a bad thing to bottle up for someone as a gift, I'm just sayin'.
P.S. This lemonade recipe is what I use in both my Southern Arnold Palmer and Addictive Strawberry Lemonade recipes. Go take a look at those for tasty twists on lemonade.
Shop this Recipe
[amazon_link asins='B003UTTOFK,B004VS32HA,B00008CM69,B005LRYE36' template='ProductCarousel' store='sweetteaandth-20' marketplace='US' link_id='de34276a-9d4a-11e7-b79e-a5c1c26db9e2']
For more great recipes, subscribe to Sweet Tea & Thyme!
And let’s connect on social media through my FACEBOOK PAGE, TWITTER and INSTAGRAM. I love getting to know you guys!
📖 Recipe
Old Fashioned Lemonade
Ingredients
- Zest of two lemons, in thick strips
- Juice of 6-8 lemons
- 2 cups sugar
- 7 cups water
Instructions
- In a medium sized saucepan, heat sugar, 2 cups water and zest over medium heat. Bring to a lively simmer, not a boil, for about 8-10 minutes or until the syrup becomes a light yellow color from the zest. Turn off heat.
- In a large pitcher, add lemon juice. Strain syrup with a mesh sieve into the pitcher to catch zest. Pour in remaining water. Taste for sweetness and tartness. Too sweet, add water. Not enough tartness, juice another lemon.
- Serve with ice.
See ya in the next post!
Eden Westbrook is the recipe developer, writer, and photographer behind Sweet Tea and Thyme. A classically trained chef, Eden has inspired home cooks into the kitchen with cultural comfort foods, easy family-friendly eats and sweets, and glorious spreads for date night and entertaining since 2015.
Stephanie @ Lattes Lilacs And Lullabies says
I never thought to add lemon zest to Lemonade. Great idea! Thanks!
That lemon zest simple syrup is also a great cocktail sweetener ?
deehivedelights says
hmmm this looks very refreshing, must try this!
cydneyhelsdown says
What a gorgoues bright yellow colour! I bet it tasted delicious, must try the recipe
Meehandering says
Sounds delicious!
Brandi says
Why does that lemonade look so good! Now I want some with a little tequila.
My husband says it goes great with tequila! ?
KenyaRae says
Girlllll! I was just thinking about how I want some freshly squeezed lemonade and then I'm scrollin and I fine this! This looks amazinggg! Hear that? The lemonade is callinggg my name ???
?? it is! try my strawberry lemonade with this recipe, you will hog the whole pitcher!
tischofalltrades says
This looks delicious! Makes me wish it was summer so I could sip a glass of this out on the porch. Thanks for the recipe, definitely trying this one out this summer!
xo, Miranda
http://www.tischofalltrades.com
Clarissa says
Mmmm lemonade <3 Is there anything more summertime than a fabulous glass of lemonade?!
-Clarissa @ The View From Here
themomnoms says
I love lemonade, to the point that I go out and try to find the best and tartest that I can. I love that i have a recipe that I can use now!
You can always adjust how much simple syrup you want to make it as tart as you like! But I have yet found someone who doesn't ask for the recipe to my lemonade! I hope you enjoy it!
Naomi says
I need to try this <3
Lane & Holly @ With Two Spoons says
This is beautiful-the drinks AND the photos!
Thank you!