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Copycat Trader Joe's Lemonade Recipe

Copycat Trader Joe's Lemonade

A homemade version of Trader Joe's beloved lemonade made with fresh lemons, simple syrup, and cold water. This perfectly balanced sweet and tangy drink is easy to customize and perfect for warm weather gatherings.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 5 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Servings: 6 Servings
Calories: 120
Ingredients Equipment Method

Ingredients
  

  • 6-8 medium lemons preferably fresh and ripe for optimal juice content
  • 1 cup granulated sugar adjust based on how sweet you like it
  • 5 cups cold water divided into 1 cup for the sugar syrup and 4 cups for dilution
  • as needed ice for serving
Optional Add-Ins (For Variations)
  • 1 cup fresh strawberry puree for a fruity twist to make strawberry lemonade
  • to taste stevia, honey, or agave replace some sugar for a low-calorie option
  • 2 tablespoons fresh mint leaves for a bold flavor, for garnish or muddle into the mixture
For Garnish
  • as desired lemon slices

Equipment

  • cocktail shaker or mason jar
  • measuring spoons

Method
 

Juice the Lemons
  1. Roll the lemons on a countertop with the palm of your hand to make them juicier. Slice the lemons in half and squeeze out the juice using a citrus juicer or by hand. Make sure to remove any seeds, but leave some pulp for that extra 'fresh squeezed' authenticity. You should end up with about 1 cup of lemon juice.
Make the Simple Syrup
  1. In a small saucepan, combine 1 cup of water and 1 cup of sugar. Heat over medium until the sugar fully dissolves, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat and let it cool to room temperature. This simple syrup makes mixing the sugar easier, so you'll avoid gritty lemonade!
Combine the Lemon Juice and Simple Syrup
  1. In a large pitcher, pour the lemon juice and the cooled simple syrup. Stir well.
Add Cold Water
  1. Add 4 cups of cold water to the pitcher. Stir and taste-test the lemonade. For more tartness, add extra lemon juice. For a less tangy flavor, dilute with more water.
Chill and Serve
  1. Refrigerate the lemonade for at least 1 hour to allow the flavors to meld. Serve over ice in glasses and garnish with lemon slices, if desired.