This easy recipe for single serving lemonade can be made with fresh lemons – or bottled lemon juice! It's the quickest and easiest way to have a glass of lemonade whenever the craving hits – no advance prep needed.
It's a Saturday afternoon in the middle of the Summer. The sun is shining, the cicadas are singing, and you are craving a big glass of fresh-squeezed lemonade. There's only one problem: you only have one lemon and there's no way on earth you're walking to the store in this heat. What do you do?
Well, you make homemade lemonade of course!
This single serving lemonade recipe is the perfect way to enjoy your favorite refreshing beverage (for one), and it can be made with either fresh lemon juice or bottled. It's a quick and simple way to crush your craving without making a trip to the grocery store – or whipping up an entire pitcher of lemonade.
Why You'll Love It:
- So easy! If you are craving a refreshing glass of lemonade but you just want enough for one – this easy recipe makes that possible!
- No simple syrup. This recipe uses a simple method for dissolving the sugar, meaning you don't have to make your own simple syrup before starting the recipe.
- Budget-friendly. Why buy a whole bottle of lemonade when it's easy to make your own? It can even be made with bottled lemon juice in a pinch.
Ingredients
This easy recipe uses simple ingredients like sugar and lemons – that's it! As long as you have those (and some water), you have everything you need.
- Lemon: You will need 3 tablespoons of lemon juice; you should be able to easily get that from a single large lemon.
- Sugar: Use granulated sugar or your favorite sweetener that measures 1-to-1 with sugar.
- Water: You will need 1 cup of water total, but ¼ cup of that should be very hot water (either boiling or the hottest tap water). The remaining ¾ cup should be very cold water.
- Ice: I recommend topping up your cup of lemonade with several ice cubes – it's extra refreshing that way!
How to Make Lemonade for One
- Add 3 tablespoons of sugar to a large glass or mason jar. Pour in ¼ cup of very hot water, and stir vigorously until the sugar dissolves.
- Add ¾ cup of very cold water and stir.
- Add the lemon juice, and give it a final stir. Taste and add more sugar if needed (dissolve it in a little hot water first).
- Top the glass with ice, and serve it with a fresh lemon slice and a straw. Enjoy!
Flavor Variations
- Strawberry lemonade: Crush 2-3 whole strawberries until it forms a thin puree. Add the fresh fruit puree to the glass, along with the sugar and hot water; stir well. Top off the glass with fresh lemon juice and cold water. Garnish with a fresh strawberry and lemon slices (if desired).
- Watermelon lemonade: Add ½ cup of cubed watermelon to a blender and process into a puree. Add it to the hot water and sugar mixture and finish with cold water and lemon juice.
- Limeade: Substitute the lemon juice for lime juice. Adjust sweetness as desired (I find lime needs a little extra sweetness, but it depends on the particular limes).
Substitutions
- Sugar free: Swap the sugar for the same amount of your favorite sugar-free sweetener that measures 1-to-1 with sugar. Taste and adjust the sweetness according to your preference.
- Bottled lemon juice: This recipe can be made with store-bought lemon juice if desired. It doesn't taste as delicious as fresh, but it's great in a pinch!
If you loved this single serve lemonade recipe, let me know by leaving a 5-star review in the recipe card or comment below! You can also tag me on Instagram @dashfordinner.
Single Serving Lemonade
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons sugar
- 3 tablespoons lemon juice
- ¼ cup hot water
- ¾ cup cold water
Instructions
- Add the sugar to a large glass or blender, along with ¼ cup of very hot water (either the hottest tap water or boiling water).
- Stir or blend well to dissolve the sugar.
- Add the remaining cold water and lemon juice, and stir or blend until completely combined.
- Serve with ice and a fresh lemon slice (optional). Enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
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Dorothy Bigelow
This is our favorite way to make lemonade since we have a small family. A whole pitcher can easily go to waste unless we are expecting guests. It's easy to make with minimal dishes which is always a win in my books!