Brown sugar lemonade is a unique twist on a classic for a refreshing summer drink. This simple, 3 ingredient recipe comes together in minutes, and is the perfect cold drink for a hot day.
If there’s anything I love, it’s a subtle flavor that changes a classic just enough to keep them interesting. And this brown sugar lemonade is exactly that. You get the expected lemon tang, but with the added richness that comes from using brown sugar instead of the traditional white.
And it’s really delicious, in an unexpected and unique way! And the perfect palette for adding other flavored syrups (passion fruit or raspberry would be delicious!), or even a splash of tequila, rum, or any alcohol of your choice.
The ingredient list is only three items–lemons, brown sugar, and water. Which means you’re ready to make this lemonade right now. Let’s get mixing!
Reasons to Love Brown Sugar Lemonade
- You can make it with simple ingredients that you probably have in your kitchen.
- It comes together in minutes–less than 20!
- It goes well with a summery meal hot off the grill (like these flatbreads) or as a way to cool off on a hot afternoon.
Ingredients
- Lemons — Fresh lemons work best for this recipe, but you can use lemon juice in a pinch. I recommend finding a high-quality lemon juice with no extra ingredients or preservatives, which can give the juice an off flavor.
- Brown Sugar — Light or dark brown sugar give you a delicious lemonade. The only difference is the amount of molasses used in the brown sugar (dark has quite a bit more). This means that a dark brown sugar will give you a deeper, stronger flavor, while light brown sugar will be more subtle.
- Water— Filtered water will have the best flavor, without taking away from the lemonade.
Equipment
- Liquid Measuring Cups
- Citrus Juicer
- Small Pot
- Whisk or Mixing Spoon
Making Brown Sugar Lemonade
Make the Brown Sugar Syrup
In a small saucepan, combine the brown sugar and water together. Place it over medium heat and bring it to a simmer, stirring occasionally.
You want the sugar to dissolve completely, so continue to heat it until there is no more visible sugar granules. Remove it from the heat and allow it to cool.
Juicing the Lemons
Use a citrus juicer (electric or manual) to juice the lemons until you have 1 cup of lemon juice. There will be some pulp, so you can strain the juice if you prefer your lemonade pulp-free.
Chill and Serve the Lemonade
In a pitcher, combine 2/3 cup of the brown sugar simple syrup, 2/3 cup lemon juice, and 4-5 cups cold water.
For a chilled lemonade, add ice to the measuring cup before filling it with water, then add it to the lemon and sugar syrup.
Serve the lemonade over ice, garnishing with lemon slices and wedges as desired.
Storing the Lemonade
Store the pitcher of lemonade in the refrigerator until serving. If you’ll be refrigerating it for more than an hour or two, cover the container so the lemonade doesn’t absorb any flavor from the other food in the refrigerator.
This can be made a couple of days in advance. However, don’t leave any garnish lemon slices in the lemonade, as the rind will give the lemonade a bitter taste.
Recipe Variations
- One of the best ways to change things up is to make bubbling lemonade! Replace the water with club soda, mineral water, or any other neutral flavor carbonated water. You will have to serve immediately, or the lemonade with go flat.
- Pour the lemonade into ice cube trays and freeze until solid. Place the ice cubes in the blender and process until you have a lemonade slushy.
- Add a shot of tequila, vodka, rum, or any spirit you’d like.
- Crush a few fresh mint leaves, some berries, or other fresh fruits in the glasses to add other flavors to the lemonade.
- Use a fruit-flavor syrup (like this raspberry syrup) to give your lemonade a different flavor profile.
Recipe Notes, Tips, and FAQs
Brown sugar is granulated cane sugar that has been mixed with molasses. This gives it a deep, caramel-like flavor, but it’s a different profile than cane sugar.
It can be frustrating to feel like your lemons aren’t yielding all of their juice. To help get the maximum amount of juice out of each lemon, roll them on the counter with a flat hand.
Apply enough pressure to help the fibers and pulp inside loosen up, but not enough to smash the lemon. Then cut each one in half and watch the juice flow.
Because lemonade is usually served over ice, I recommend making it on the strong side. Don’t add too much water to the mixture of lemon juice and sugar syrup, or your lemonade could taste weak when the ice in the glass starts melting.
- You can make brown sugar simple syrup ahead of time and refrigerate it in a airtight container for up to two weeks. That makes it incredibly simple to whip up a batch of lemonade whenever you’re in the mood!
Other Lemon Desserts You May Enjoy:
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Brown Sugar Lemonade
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 5–6 8 oz. servings 1x
Ingredients
- 2/3 cup brown sugar
- 2/3 cup lemon juice
- 4–5 cups of filtered water and ice
Instructions
In a small saucepan, combine the brown sugar and water together. Place it over medium heat and bring it to a simmer, stirring occasionally. Continue to simmer until the sugar is completely dissolved, then remove it from the heat and allow it to cool.
Cut the lemons in half. Using a citrus juicer, juice the lemons until you have 1 cup of lemon juice. There will be some pulp, so you can strain the juice if you prefer your lemonade pulp-free.
In a pitcher, combine 2/3 cup of the brown sugar simple syrup, 2/3 cup lemon juice, and 4-5 cups cold water. For a chilled lemonade, add ice to the measuring cup before filling it with water, then add it to the lemon and sugar syrup.
Serve the lemonade over ice, garnishing with lemon slices and wedges as desired.
Store any leftover lemonade in a covered pitcher in the refrigerator.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Beverages
- Method: Juicing
Brown Sugar Lemonade Recipe - My Blog
Sunday 4th of February 2024
[…] Good Things Baking Co: This website provides a simple recipe for brown sugar lemonade that uses only three ingredients: lemons, brown sugar, and water. You can also find some helpful information on how to store and serve your lemonade. […]