Homemade Mint lemonade

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I can’t think of a better drink to hit the spot on a hot summer day than a tall glass of homemade mint lemonade! This is, hands down, my favorite summer drink, and the addition of fresh mint leaves makes it exceptionally refreshing.

And guess what? All you need are your hands to make it—no lemon juicer required! Yes, you read that right. This is an old-fashioned method my maternal grandmother used to make lemonade, and to this day, I haven’t found a better way. It’s simple, wonderfully effective, and brings back a little taste of tradition.

Not only does this homemade mint lemonade taste wonderful, but lemons also provide some nutritional benefits. They are an excellent source of vitamin C and contain small amounts of B vitamins and minerals, including calcium, iron, magnesium, and potassium. Once you try this fresh mint lemonade, you may never want to go back to bottled or powdered lemonade again!

And after a long, hot day of fasting during Ramadan, nothing soothes a thirsty soul quite like a tall glass of chilled, refreshing mint lemonade. Ramadan Mubarak to all!

How to Make Homemade Mint Lemonade (Step-by-Step)

Cut each lemon into quarters and place them in a large bowl. Add the sugar and mix well.

Pour the water over the lemon pieces and let them steep for 1 hour.

Place the mint leaves in a bowl and pour in the sugar syrup. Using an immersion blender, pulse a few times until the mixture is smooth. Set aside.

Squeeze the lemon quarters firmly with your hands to release as much juice as possible. The more juice, the better!

Discard the lemon peels. Add the prepared mint-infused sugar syrup to the lemon juice and stir well to combine. Place a strainer over a large jug and pour the lemonade through it to remove any pulp and mint residue. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours until thoroughly chilled. Serve over ice with sliced lemons. Enjoy!

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do you marinate the whole lemons instead of squeezing them directly?

Marinating the lemon quarters before squeezing them allows the water and sugar to absorb the fragrant natural oils from the lemon peels. These aromatic oils add an extra layer of citrus flavor and make this homemade mint lemonade taste wonderfully fresh and flavorful. It’s an old-fashioned technique that makes all the difference!

 Can I use non-organic lemons?

Yes, you can, but organic lemons are preferable for this recipe. Since the lemons, including their peels, are steeped in water and sugar, I recommend using organic lemons and washing them thoroughly before preparation.

 Can I omit the mint?

Absolutely! You can leave out the mint if you prefer a classic homemade lemonade. The drink will still be delicious and refreshing, although you will miss the lovely cooling aroma and flavor that fresh mint brings.

How do I make sugar syrup from scratch?

Making sugar syrup at home is very easy! If you have never made it before, don’t worry. I have a detailed step-by-step recipe explaining how to prepare homemade Arabic sugar syrup. ➡️ Click for my authentic Lebanese Sugar Syrup (Ater) recipe

 Can I prepare the sugar syrup ahead of time?

Absolutely! In fact, I recommend preparing the sugar syrup ahead of time. Let it cool completely before using it in your lemonade. This makes preparation easier and helps the sugar blend evenly into the drink.

More Refreshing Citrus Recipes to Try

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Homemade Mint lemonade

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Prep: 15 minutes
Cook: 0 minutes
Chilling time 2 hours
Servings 6
Course
Drinks
Cuisine
#Middle Eastern

Lebanese

Mediterranean

Description

This homemade mint lemonade is the ultimate refreshing summer drink! Made with fresh lemons, fragrant mint leaves, and a simple sugar syrup, it is wonderfully citrusy, refreshing, and easy to make. An old-fashioned preparation method brings out the natural oils of the lemon peels, giving this fresh mint lemonade an extra burst of flavor. Perfect for hot summer days, Ramadan, and family gatherings!

Ingredients
 

  • 1 kg / 2 lbs 4 oz fresh lemons
  • ¾ cup granulated sugar
  • ½ cup sugar syrup atter, at room temperature
  • 1 cup fresh mint leaves
  • 3 cups water

Instructions
 

  • Wash the lemons and pat them dry.
    lemonade lemon 1
  • Divide each lemon into quarters and place them in a large bowl.
  • Add the sugar and water to the lemon pieces, then let them marinate for 1 hour.
    lemonade lemon 6
  • In the meantime, place the mint leaves in a bowl and pour the sugar syrup over them. Using an immersion blender, pulse a few times until the mixture is smooth. Set aside.
    mint sugar syrup
  • Press the lemon quarters firmly with your hands to extract as much juice as possible.
    lemonade lemon 5
  • Discard the lemon peels.
  • Add the minted sugar syrup to the lemon juice and stir well.
  • Place a strainer over a jug and pour the lemonade through it. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours. Serve over ice with sliced lemons. Enjoy!
    a l

Notes

 
Keyword lemon, mint
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

 

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Hadia Zebib is a cook, baker and author. She acquired a reputation for being a good cook after entertaining dinner guests for more than 30 years, and her husband encouraged her, telling her that she should write a cookbook. She started her food blog, Hadia’s Lebanese Cuisine. Over time, millions of people have visited her site in search of Lebanese and Middle Eastern recipes.

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