13 Homemade Lemonade and Agua Fresca Recipes That Taste Like Sunshine in a Glass

There is something about a cold glass of homemade lemonade that makes people smile, no matter the season. Bottled drinks are often loaded with sugar and syrups you cannot pronounce, but the real thing needs only fruit, water and a little sweetness that you control. In this list you will find classic lemonade, fun twists like lavender and butterfly pea, and bright Mexican agua fresca made from watermelon, hibiscus, cucumber and mango. Looking for more ways to stay hydrated? Try these infused water and healthy drinks too. Ready to pour your first glass..

Fresh Squeezed Homemade Lemonade With Mint, the Pitcher Everyone Reaches For

Nothing beats the first sip of real lemonade made with lemons you squeezed yourself. The secret is a quick simple syrup, so the sugar fully dissolves and every glass tastes smooth instead of gritty. A handful of fresh mint and plenty of ice make it feel like a summer afternoon, even in late October. Quick poll: how do you like your lemonade? A) super tart B) perfectly balanced C) sweet like candy D) fizzy with sparkling water.

You will need: You will need: 1 cup fresh lemon juice (about 6 lemons), 3/4 cup sugar or honey, 5 cups cold water, ice, lemon slices, fresh mint.

How to make it: 1. Heat 1 cup of the water with the sugar until dissolved, then cool. 2. Squeeze the lemons and strain out the seeds. 3. Mix lemon juice, syrup and the remaining water in a pitcher. 4. Taste and add more water or sweetener as you like. 5. Chill, then serve over ice with lemon slices and mint.

Old Fashioned Homemade Lemonade by the Jar

Grandma knew best. Before powdered mixes took over, people made homemade lemonade in big glass jars and kept them cold in the icebox all summer. This old fashioned version uses whole lemon slices muddled with sugar, which pulls out the fragrant oils from the peel for a deeper lemon flavor. Serve it in mason jars at a backyard party or a church picnic. Do you remember a lemonade stand from your childhood?

You will need: You will need: 6 lemons, 3/4 cup sugar, 6 cups cold water, ice.

How to make it: 1. Slice 2 lemons thinly and juice the rest. 2. Muddle the slices with sugar in a large jar for 2 minutes. 3. Let sit 15 minutes so the sugar draws out the oils. 4. Add lemon juice and cold water and stir well. 5. Chill and serve over ice.

Strawberry Homemade Lemonade

Blend a handful of ripe strawberries into your homemade lemonade and it turns a pretty blush pink with a sweet berry flavor kids love. Frozen strawberries work just as well, which makes this a great year round drink. Strain the puree if you want it smooth, or leave the little seeds in for a rustic look. Which fruit should we try next: raspberries, peaches or cherries?

You will need: You will need: 2 cups strawberries (fresh or frozen), 3/4 cup lemon juice, 1/2 cup sugar or honey, 4 cups cold water, ice, extra berries to garnish.

How to make it: 1. Blend strawberries with 1 cup water until smooth. 2. Strain if you like. 3. Stir in lemon juice and sweetener until dissolved. 4. Add the remaining water and mix. 5. Serve over ice with sliced strawberries.

Classic Pink Lemonade, the Natural Way

Many store bought pink lemonades get their color from dye. This homemade lemonade gets its rosy blush from a splash of cranberry or raspberry juice instead. It tastes a little more tangy and fruity than plain lemonade and looks lovely at baby showers and birthday parties. Fun fact: legend says pink lemonade was born at the circus in the 1800s. Have you ever heard that story?

You will need: You will need: 3/4 cup fresh lemon juice, 1/2 cup sugar, 1/2 cup cranberry or raspberry juice, 4 cups cold water, ice, lemon slices.

How to make it: 1. Dissolve the sugar in 1 cup warm water. 2. Add lemon juice and cranberry juice. 3. Stir in the remaining cold water. 4. Chill for 30 minutes. 5. Pour over ice and garnish with lemon slices.

Lavender Homemade Lemonade

A little dried culinary lavender steeped into the syrup gives this lemonade a soft floral note that feels fancy and calming. Use only a small amount, because too much can taste like soap. It is a beautiful drink for a bridal shower, garden party or a quiet afternoon on the porch. Would you try lavender in a drink, or does it sound too much like perfume?

You will need: You will need: 1 tbsp dried culinary lavender, 3/4 cup sugar, 1 cup water for syrup, 3/4 cup lemon juice, 4 cups cold water, ice, dried orange slices to garnish.

How to make it: 1. Simmer sugar, 1 cup water and lavender for 3 minutes. 2. Steep off heat for 15 minutes, then strain. 3. Mix the syrup with lemon juice and cold water. 4. Chill well. 5. Serve over ice with a dried citrus slice.

Fresh Mint and Lime Cooler

Swap some of the lemon in your homemade lemonade for lime and add a big handful of crushed mint, and you get a cooler that tastes like a vacation. This is similar to the popular mint lemonade served in Middle Eastern cafes, often blended with ice into a slushy. It is especially refreshing after a long walk or a workout on a warm day. Do you like your drinks blended icy, or poured over cubes?

You will need: You will need: 1/2 cup lime juice, 1/4 cup lemon juice, 1/2 cup sugar or honey, 1 cup fresh mint leaves, 4 cups cold water, ice, lime slices.

How to make it: 1. Blend mint, sweetener and 1 cup water until the mint is fine. 2. Strain into a pitcher. 3. Add lime juice, lemon juice and remaining water. 4. For a slushy, blend with 2 cups ice. 5. Serve with lime slices and mint sprigs.

Color Changing Butterfly Pea Lemonade

This one is pure magic for kids. Butterfly pea flower tea is naturally deep blue, and when you pour in lemon juice it turns purple right before your eyes. It tastes mild and earthy, so the lemonade flavor shines through. Serve the blue tea and lemonade separately and let everyone make their own color change at the table. Would your kids think this is a magic trick?

You will need: You will need: 2 tbsp dried butterfly pea flowers (or 4 tea bags), 2 cups hot water, 3/4 cup lemon juice, 1/2 cup simple syrup, 2 cups cold water, ice, blueberries.

How to make it: 1. Steep the flowers in hot water for 10 minutes, strain and chill. 2. Mix lemon juice, syrup and cold water. 3. Fill glasses with ice and blueberries. 4. Pour in the blue tea. 5. Top with lemonade and watch it change color.

Half and Half Arnold Palmer

Named after the famous golfer who loved to order it, this drink is simply half iced tea and half homemade lemonade. The tea adds a gentle bitterness that balances the sweet tart lemon, so it never feels too sugary. Brew the tea strong because the ice will dilute it. Quick poll: what is your perfect ratio? A) half and half B) more tea C) more lemonade.

You will need: You will need: 4 black tea bags, 4 cups hot water, 3/4 cup lemon juice, 1/2 cup sugar, 3 cups cold water, ice, lemon wedges.

How to make it: 1. Steep tea bags in hot water 5 minutes, then remove and cool. 2. Dissolve sugar in lemon juice and 1 cup water. 3. Add the remaining cold water to make lemonade. 4. Fill glasses with ice. 5. Pour half tea and half lemonade and stir.

Watermelon Agua Fresca

Agua fresca means fresh water in Spanish, and in Mexico you will find giant glass jars of it at markets and taco stands. Watermelon is the most popular flavor for good reason. It is about 90 percent water already, so it blends into a light, naturally sweet drink with only a squeeze of lime and a touch of sugar. Have you ever tried agua fresca from a street vendor?

You will need: You will need: 6 cups cubed seedless watermelon, 2 cups cold water, juice of 2 limes, 1 to 2 tbsp sugar or honey, ice, mint.

How to make it: 1. Blend watermelon and water until smooth. 2. Strain through a fine sieve. 3. Stir in lime juice and sweetener to taste. 4. Chill for 30 minutes. 5. Serve over ice with a sprig of mint.

Agua de Jamaica (Hibiscus Cooler)

This deep ruby drink is made by steeping dried hibiscus flowers, called flor de jamaica in Mexico. It tastes tart and fruity, a little like cranberry, and it is caffeine free. Look for the dried flowers in Latin markets or the international aisle. Add a cinnamon stick or a slice of ginger for a cozy fall twist. Have you ever cooked with flowers before?

You will need: You will need: 1 cup dried hibiscus flowers, 8 cups water, 1/2 cup sugar or honey, juice of 1 lime, optional cinnamon stick, ice.

How to make it: 1. Bring 4 cups water to a boil, add hibiscus and cinnamon. 2. Turn off the heat and steep 20 minutes. 3. Strain and stir in sweetener until dissolved. 4. Add 4 cups cold water and lime juice. 5. Chill and serve over ice.

Cucumber Lime Agua Fresca

Cucumber might sound like a strange drink, but blended with lime and a little sugar it becomes one of the most refreshing coolers you will ever taste. It is crisp, green and light, almost like a spa drink. A few mint or basil leaves make it even brighter. Serve it with spicy food to cool things down. Be honest: would you drink cucumber, or is it a hard pass?

You will need: You will need: 2 large cucumbers (peeled and chopped), 4 cups cold water, juice of 3 limes, 1/4 cup sugar or honey, handful of mint, ice.

How to make it: 1. Blend cucumber, mint and 2 cups water until smooth. 2. Strain into a pitcher. 3. Stir in lime juice and sweetener. 4. Add the remaining water. 5. Chill and serve over ice with lime wheels.

Pineapple Agua Fresca

Sweet ripe pineapple makes a tropical agua fresca that tastes like a beach day. In Mexico it is often called agua de pina, and some families even make a lightly fermented version from the peels called tepache. This simple version uses the fruit only. Serve it in a hollowed pineapple at a party for a fun wow moment. Which tropical fruit is your favorite: pineapple, mango or papaya?

You will need: You will need: 4 cups fresh pineapple chunks, 4 cups cold water, juice of 1 lime, 1 to 2 tbsp sugar if needed, ice, pineapple wedges.

How to make it: 1. Blend pineapple with 2 cups water until smooth. 2. Strain for a lighter drink. 3. Add lime juice, remaining water and sugar to taste. 4. Chill well. 5. Serve over ice with pineapple wedges.

Mango Lime Agua Fresca

Mango agua fresca is thick, golden and sunny, and it is a great way to use frozen mango chunks from the freezer aisle. A squeeze of lime and a pinch of chili powder on the rim make it taste like the mango cups sold by street vendors in Mexico. It is the perfect way to end this list. Which drink from this list will you make first? Tell us in the comments.

You will need: You will need: 3 cups mango chunks (fresh or frozen), 4 cups cold water, juice of 2 limes, 1 to 2 tbsp honey, chili lime seasoning for the rim (optional), ice.

How to make it: 1. Blend mango with 2 cups water until silky. 2. Add lime juice, honey and the remaining water and blend again. 3. Rub glass rims with lime and dip in chili lime seasoning. 4. Fill glasses with ice. 5. Pour in the agua fresca and serve.