Description
A refreshing twist on classic lemonade, this Brown Sugar Lemonade features a homemade brown sugar simple syrup for a rich, caramel-like flavor that perfectly complements the tartness of fresh lemon juice.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup packed light brown sugar
- 8 cups water, divided
- 1 ½ cups freshly squeezed lemon juice (from about 8–10 lemons)
- Lemon slices, for garnish (optional)
- Mint sprigs, for garnish (optional)
- Ice cubes
Instructions
- Combine the sugars and water: In a medium saucepan, combine the granulated sugar, packed light brown sugar, and 4 cups of water.
- Heat and stir: Place the saucepan over medium heat. Stir constantly until both the granulated sugar and brown sugar are completely dissolved (5-7 minutes).
- Simmer: Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer. Reduce the heat slightly if needed to prevent it from boiling over. Let it simmer for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Cool completely: Remove the saucepan from the heat and let the simple syrup cool completely. You can speed up the cooling process by transferring the syrup to a heat-safe bowl and placing it in the refrigerator for about 30-45 minutes.
- Strain (optional): Strain the cooled simple syrup through a fine-mesh sieve to remove any undissolved sugar particles or impurities.
- Choose your lemons wisely: Select lemons that are heavy for their size and have smooth, thin skins.
- Roll the lemons: Before cutting the lemons, roll them firmly on the countertop.
- Cut and juice: Cut the lemons in half crosswise. Use a citrus juicer to extract the juice. Be sure to remove any seeds.
- Measure accurately: Measure out 1 ½ cups of freshly squeezed lemon juice.
- Combine syrup and lemon juice: In a large pitcher, combine the cooled brown sugar simple syrup and the freshly squeezed lemon juice. Stir well to combine.
- Add water: Add the remaining 4 cups of water to the pitcher. Stir again until everything is thoroughly mixed.
- Taste and adjust: Taste the lemonade and adjust the sweetness or tartness to your liking. If it’s too tart, add a little more simple syrup (start with 1-2 tablespoons at a time). If it’s too sweet, add a little more lemon juice (again, start with 1-2 tablespoons at a time).
- Chill: Cover the pitcher and refrigerate the lemonade for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together.
- Prepare your glasses: Fill glasses with ice cubes.
- Pour the lemonade: Pour the chilled Brown Sugar Lemonade over the ice.
- Garnish (optional): Garnish with lemon slices and/or mint sprigs.
- Serve immediately: Serve your Brown Sugar Lemonade immediately and enjoy!
Notes
- Freshly squeezed lemon juice is highly recommended for the best flavor.
- Adjust the sweetness and tartness to your personal preference.
- For a sparkling version, substitute some of the still water with sparkling water or club soda.
- The simple syrup can be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator for up to a week.
- Experiment with different garnishes and flavor additions, such as raspberries, strawberries, lavender, or spices.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes