How to Make Cold Lemonade

Cold lemonade can serve many purposes. It can cure your dehydration, treat a common cold and replenish your fluids. Powerful in vitamin C, this beverage is loved by adults and children, especially on a hot summer day. Lemonade is fairly simple to make and can be enjoyed all summer long.

Step 1: Preparing the Lemons

If you are fortunate enough to have a lemon tree, pick your lemons the day you wish to make lemonade. This will ensure that your lemons are fresh.

If you are not juicing your lemons and are planning on using lemon juice, you may skip ahead to the recipe.

Place the lemons on a cutting board and cut them open with a sharp knife in half or crosswise, depending on the type of juicer you own. The inside fruit and the rinds should be exposed.

Step 2: Juicing the Lemons

Make sure that your juicer is clean and set it up, making sure there is a cup or a bowl in place to catch the juice. If you have an electric juicer make sure that to place it in a dry location to avoid shorting out the motor.

If you own a manual juicer, pick up your first lemon and firmly place the fruit part over the bump that will squeeze out the juice. Move it slowly in a circular motion until you have removed all the juice from the fruit. After one piece of fruit has been juiced, move on to the the next piece of fruit until none remain.

Using an electric juicer will be easier and faster, as you will only need to press the lemon gently into the juicer. The machine will do the rest.

Step 3: Strain out the Seeds and Pulp

After you are done juicing your lemons, pour the juice into a bowl or a pitcher through a strainer. This will remove the seeds and most of the pulp. Stir the juice in the strainer to help it flow through the pulp.

If you want to make sure that all pulp is removed, re-pour the juice through a cheese cloth. After the juice has been poured through, squeeze the cheese cloth to make sure no juice remains in it.

Step 4: Make Lemonade

Now that your lemons have been juiced and the pulp has been removed, you are ready to mix your lemonade. Pour 3 cups of water, 1 cup of lemon juice and 1 cup of either granulated sugar or sugar substitute into a bowl or pitcher and mix it together thoroughly until all the sugar has dissolved. If you find the drink too tart or sour, you can sweeten it by adding a little more sugar to taste. 

Add ice to it to make it cool and you will have created a tasty treat.

You can save the lemon juice by freezing it in an airtight container. It will last for about a year until it loses its flavor.

Lemonade can be enjoyed all year round, and with this simple recipe, you can always have it on hand.