On a hot summer day, nothing beats a glass of homemade orange lemonade especially when it’s fresh squeezed. Easy, Refreshing, and Bursting with Citrus Flavor! Perfect for summer sipping, or anytime you need a little brightness.
Made with simple ingredients like fresh orange juice, lemon juice, and cold water. This recipe brings out the sweet, sunny flavor of sweet oranges and the refreshing tartness of the lemon in perfect balance.
Whether you’re coming in from the garden, planning summer drinks for a backyard BBQ, or scrolling through TikTok to make something quick and delicious, this easy orange lemonade recipe is a great addition to your warm-weather go-tos.
The best part? It’s made with real lemonade. No artificial stuff here. Just pure fresh juice from fresh lemons and oranges. With plenty of vitamin C and refreshing citrus flavor, this homemade lemonade recipe is the perfect companion to your summer memories.
Homemade Orange Lemonade Fresh Squeezed Recipe
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Ingredients
- 1 ¼ Cups Orange Juice fresh squeezed, about 2-3 sweet oranges
- ¾ Cup Lemon Juice fresh squeezed, about 3-4 tart lemons
- 5 Cups Water
- ¾ Cup Sugar adjust to taste
Instructions
- Juice your citrus. Use a fancy juicer, electric juicer, or even a handheld citrus press to juice your oranges and lemons. Strain if desired to remove pulp and seeds.1 ¼ Cups Orange Juice, ¾ Cup Lemon Juice
- Combine ingredients. In a large pitcher, stir together the lemon juice, orange juice, sugar, and water until well mixed.5 Cups Water, ¾ Cup Sugar
- Taste test. Adjust for sweetness or tartness as needed. Add a bit of lemon zest, more sugar.
- Chill and serve. Let your homemade orange lemonade chill in the fridge or serve immediately over ice cubes.
- Garnish. Add thin slices of lemon, lime, or orange slices for a beautiful touch.
Notes
Recipe Tips:
• Optional simple syrup. For easier mixing, heat ¾ cup sugar and ¾ cup cold water in a small saucepan to create a quick simple syrup. Let it cool.• Zest before juicing. Zest your lemons before cutting to extract the flavorful essential oils from the peel.
• Squeezing tips. If you don’t have a juicer, it’s a good idea to roll your citrus on the counter first to soften them up.
• Want less sugar? Adjust sugar levels to your preference, or sweeten naturally with maple syrup or honey.
Nutrition
See the video of me making this refreshing drink made with fresh oranges and lemons on our YouTube Channel.
Variations
- Strawberry lemonade. Add fresh strawberries or puree to create a fruity twist on this recipe.
- Lime twist. Swap some of the lemon juice for lime juice to brighten the flavor.
- Iced tea mix. Combine half lemonade and half iced tea for a homemade Arnold Palmer.
- Try different fruits. Add a splash of pineapple, mango, or use Cara Cara oranges for a pink hue and unique taste.
- Use Meyer lemons. If your lemon trees grow Meyer lemons, they offer a sweeter, floral flavor that’s perfect in lemonade.
What to Do with the Zest
Don’t toss that beautiful citrus zest! Here are a few tasty and practical ways to use it.
- Add it to the lemonade. Stir a little lemon or orange zest directly into the pitcher for an extra pop of citrus flavor and natural oils. Just a teaspoon or two will do.
- Sugar rim for glasses. Mix zest with granulated sugar and dip the rims of your glasses in it for a decorative and flavorful touch.
- Citrus sugar. Combine zest with sugar and let it infuse. Store it in a jar and use it for baking, tea, or as a topping for muffins and fruit.
- Freeze it. Spread zest on a small plate or tray, freeze it, then store it in a sealed container or freezer bag for future recipes.
- Bake with it. Add leftover zest to cookies, cakes, muffins, or quick breads for a bright, fresh flavor.
- Make compound butter. Mix zest with softened butter and a little honey or herbs for a delicious spread on biscuits, pancakes, or grilled veggies.
Zest adds essential oils and aromatic depth to everything from desserts to drinks. It’s a great idea to use the whole fruit when possible. Less waste, more flavor.
Serving Suggestions
- Serve in mason jars with a sprig of mint or thin slices of orange and lemon.
- Pair with grilled foods, picnic snacks, or your favorite summer salads.
- Freeze in ice cube trays for citrusy additions to sparkling water or cocktails the next day.
- Pour into popsicle molds for a hydrating frozen treat on a hot day.
Storage
- Store leftovers in a covered pitcher or airtight container in the fridge.
- Best enjoyed within 3–4 days.
- Stir before serving. The juice may separate slightly overnight.
Homemade Orange Lemonade for Sunny Afternoons
Whether you’re craving the best lemonade to cool off with or trying to recreate your favorite regular lemonade with a twist, this homemade orange lemonade delivers every time.
With simple steps, citrusy goodness, and plenty of ways to customize it, this is a summer staple you’ll want to keep on repeat.
My family loved this!