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Mint Lemonade puts a fresh spin on classic lemonade using just three ingredients. With the perfect balance of sweetness, tang, and a burst of fresh mint, this easy beverage is the ultimate thirst-quencher!
Are you a Lemon Lover? You may also enjoy Lemon Ricotta Pancakes, Baked Lemon Pudding, Homemade Lemon Bread, or Lemon Cheesecake Bars.
A Refreshing Twist on Classic Lemonade
There's nothing quite like an ice-cold glass of homemade lemonade on a hot summer day. But when you add fresh mint, that timeless favorite transforms into a refreshing, elevated mocktail.
Not only does the mint add a burst of fresh flavor, but it also brings a natural cooling effect--making this Mint Lemonade the ultimate drink to keep you feeling refreshed when the temperatures heat up.
Happy Cooking! xo Kristen
Recipe Highlights
Notes on Ingredients
- Lemons: Do not be tempted to swap fresh lemon juice for jarred lemon juice which, as the flavor is not as vibrant and often contains added preservatives.
- Mint: Use vibrant green mint leaves, specifically, labeled mint or spearmint, not peppermint. Peppermint leaves are much more potent and typically reserved for making candies and extract.
- To Sweeten: Granulated sugar is the classic option and can be adjusted to make your mint lemonade sweeter or less sweet as desired.
How to Make Homemade Mint Lemonade
The following tips are provided to help you achieve perfect results. You will find the ingredient quantities and detailed instructions in the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
- Prepare Simple Syrup. Rather than simply stirring sugar into cold water, it is best to prepare a simple syrup by heating water and sugar together until the sugar is fully dissolved. This will ensure the sugar evenly disperses throughout the lemonade rather than the sugar simply sinking to the bottom.
- Muddle Mint. Add the fresh mint leaves to the prepared simple syrup and gently mash the mint using the bottom of a wooden spoon or a muddler. This allows the mint to release its natural extract, infusing the lemonade with fresh mint flavor.
- Juice Fresh Lemons. Cut the lemons in half and use a juicer to juice the lemons over a glass measuring cup. If you happen to get any seeds in the lemon juice, be sure to strain the juice before adding to your lemonade.
Kristen's Tip
Before cutting open the lemons, I highly recommend microwaving the lemons for 20 seconds and then rolling them on the counter. This will get the natural juices flowing and make them exceptionally easy to juice.
- Strain Simple Syrup. Using a fine-mesh strainer, strain the simple syrup over a large pitcher or glass measuring cup. Leaving the mint leaves in the lemonade can make the mint lemonade a bit bitter.
- Combine Mint Lemonade. Combine the mint simple syrup, lemon juice, and additional water in a large pitcher.
- Serve. Serve mint lemonade over ice and garnish with a mint leaf if desired.
More Refreshing Beverages
Did you make this recipe?
If you enjoyed this recipe, please leave a comment with a 5-star review at the bottom of the post. Thank you!
Mint Lemonade
Ingredients
- ⅓ cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup water, for simple syrup
- 1 bunch fresh mint , stems removed (about 20-25 mint leaves)
- 6 large lemons, for about ¾ cup fresh lemon juice
- 5 cups water, for lemonade
- 1 cup ice
Instructions
- In a heavy-bottomed small saucepan, combine ⅓ cup granulated sugar with ½ cup water Bring the mixture to a boil, reduce the heat to low, and simmer until the sugar is dissolved. Once the sugar is dissolved, remove the pan from the heat.
- Place mint leaves into a heat-safe mixing cup or cocktail shaker and add the simple syrup. Using a wooden spoon or muddler, gently mash the mint leaves 4-5 times, allowing the mint to release their juices. Let the mint leaves steep in the warm simple syrup for 10 minutes.
- While the mint is steeping, juice 6 large lemons over a fine-mesh strainer to catch any seeds or pulp until you have ¾ cup of lemon juice.
- Using a fine-mesh strainer, strain the mint leaves from the simple syrup.
- In a large pitcher, combine the remaining 5 cups water, lemon juice, mint flavored simple syrup, and 1 cup ice.
- Serve with additional ice, sliced lemon, and mint leaves as desired.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Thanks Kristen, I've made similar before but either mint & lemon infused & another recipe just with the boiled water & sugar & lemon zest, then adding the lemon juice. I'm going to try this with my mint plant outside & fresh lemons I just bought.
Super refreshing and delicious! I will drink this all summer long!
We are enjoying it on repeat here as well! Thanks for sharing you enjoyed this Mint Lemonade, Caroline!
I have so much fresh mint so this recipe was perfect! It gave it such a refreshing flavor, my kids loved it too!
Hi Eden! I am so happy to hear you enjoyed this lemonade recipe!
I will be adding mint from now on!! It's adds a great flavor & is so refreshing!! This will be my go-to summer drink!