Fresh Mint Lemonade
A quick and easy homemade fresh mint lemonade recipe perfect for summer refreshment, combining zesty lemons and gently bruised fresh mint leaves for a bright, flavorful drink.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Beverage
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 6 medium fresh lemons (about 1 cup or 240 ml fresh lemon juice)
- 1 cup loosely packed fresh mint leaves
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar (can substitute honey or agave)
- 4 cups cold water
- Ice cubes
- Optional: sparkling water to add fizz
Instructions
- Roll each lemon on the countertop to soften, then cut in half and juice until you have about 1 cup (240 ml) of fresh lemon juice. Remove any seeds.
- Rinse the mint leaves and pat dry. Place them in the pitcher and gently bruise with a muddler or the back of a wooden spoon to release oils without shredding.
- In a small saucepan, combine sugar and 1 cup (240 ml) of water. Heat over medium, stirring constantly until sugar dissolves completely. Remove from heat and let cool slightly.
- Pour the fresh lemon juice and cooled simple syrup into the pitcher with the mint. Add the remaining 3 cups (720 ml) of cold water. Stir well to combine.
- Add plenty of ice cubes to the pitcher or serve over ice-filled glasses. Garnish with a sprig of fresh mint or a lemon wheel. For a fizzy twist, replace half the water with sparkling water just before serving.
Notes
Do not over-muddle the mint to avoid bitterness. Use fresh lemons for best flavor. Simple syrup blends better than stirring sugar directly into lemon juice. Chill before serving for extra coolness. For a smoother drink, strain out pulp and mint bits. Sparkling water can be added just before serving for fizz.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8 ounces (240 ml)
- Calories: 90
- Sugar: 22
- Sodium: 5
- Carbohydrates: 24
- Fiber: 0.5
Keywords: fresh mint lemonade, homemade lemonade, summer drink, refreshing beverage, mint lemonade recipe, easy lemonade, natural lemonade