Classic Lemonade and Limeade

Picture yourself enjoying a nice cool glass of classic lemonade or limeade while camping.

Does that sound like too much work? I promise you it isn’t! With just a little foresight and some work done at home, you too can enjoy some classic lemonade or limeade while sitting around your campsite. Not only can we help you with the standard recipe, but we also have lots of fun variations to try depending on what fruit is in season or what can be found at the local farmer’s market.

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We love to make our own lemonade and limeade from scratch using fresh fruit, cool water, and simple syrup. However, I won’t judge if you start with a powdered lemonade or powdered limeade base because some days that is all we have time for as well! But, if you do want to make it from scratch, read on for our basic recipes.

Lemonade Recipe

There is nothing quite so delicious as a cool glass of lemonade on a hot day. In fact, we try to have some ready to drink all summer long. The sweetener you choose is up to you. As for us we love to use a simple syrup made with local honey.

Ingredients for Lemonade

6 cups water, divided
1/3 cup raw honey
1 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice (approx. 4-6 large lemons)

Steps to Make Lemonade

Combine 1 cup of the water with raw honey and gently heat until the honey is dissolved, then transfer out of the sauce pan and allow to cool. Set this aside because we’ll be using it in a little bit.
Add the freshly squeezed lemon juice to the bottom of a pitcher, followed by our simple honey syrup, and then fill the remainder of the pitcher up with the remaining 5 cups water. Stir to combine. This now makes our base honey-sweetened Homemade Lemonade recipe. Drink it as is or consider one of our fun fruity variations.

Limeade Recipe

When we want something a little different from our lemonade, we pull out some homemade limeade. Sometimes we drink it as is, sometimes we flavor it, and sometimes we go straight to the fizzy!

Ingredients for Limeade

6 cups water, divided
1 cup sugar
1 cup freshly squeezed lime juice (approx. 8-10 limes)

Steps to Make Limeade

Combine 1 cup of the water with the 1 cup of sugar in a small saucepan and bring to a boil, stirring regularly. Once the sugar is dissolved, remove from heat, and allow to cool before using. Set this aside because we’ll be using it in a little bit.
Add the freshly squeezed lime juice to the bottom of a pitcher, followed by our simple syrup, and then fill the remainder of the pitcher up with the remaining 5 cups water. Stir to combine. This now makes our base sugar-sweetened Homemade Limeade recipe. Drink it as is or consider one of our fun fruity variations.

FAQs

How do I get the most juice from my fruit?

There are a few tricks for getting the most juice out of all citrus fruits. Some people microwave theirs for a few seconds prior to juicing. We have done that, but we prefer to roll the fruit on the countertop to break the membranes around the capsules in the fruit’s flesh which hold the juice. However, according to some professional bartenders, both are a complete myth and the best way to extract the most juice is to refrigerate your fruit prior to squeezing. Luckily, regardless of method, the amount of juice extracted from the fruit doesn’t vary much so juice however you choose.

How much juice in one lemon? In one lime?

You should get around 2-3 tablespoons of juice from each lemon and roughly 2 tablespoons of juice from each lime. We always recommend having some extra fruit on hand, not only to supplement if some of your fruits are on the lower end of the juice but also to garnish your drinks.

What is simple syrup and why should I use it?

Simple syrup is a liquid sweetener traditionally made by dissolving granulated sugar with water. The classic ratio is 1:1, in other words 1 cup of sugar to 1 cup of water. There is also rich syrup which is a 2:1 ratio (2 cups of sugar to 1 cup of water). As to why you would use it. This part is simple science. Solids don’t dissolve in cold liquid very well so any sugar placed in your cold drink will sink to the bottom of the glass.

How do I make my own simple syrup?

There are two ways to make simple syrup: one hot and one cold. We always use the hot method because that is what we grew up with and offer that recipe directly below. The cold method, which is actually room temperature, has you stirring sugar into room temperature water steadily over the course of 10-15 minutes. The benefit to this one is you can use it right away. We really should try it sometime.

Simple Syrup Recipe

In a small saucepan bring 1 cup of sugar and 1 cup of water to a boil, stirring regularly. Once the sugar is dissolved, remove from heat, and allow to cool before using. Store in the refrigerator up to one month. Alternately, freeze extra in an ice cube tray and thaw as needed.

What other sweeteners could I use?

Depending on the recipe, you could use honey, agave, or any other sweetener of your preference. In fact, we tend to use a honey based simple syrup whenever we can source local honey. It made be a myth, but we feel it truly does help with our allergies. Please note that that the flavor of your drink will change.

Honey Simple Syrup Recipe

In a small saucepan bring 1 cup of honey and 1 cup of water to a boil over medium heat, stirring regularly. Once the mixture is boiling, turn the heat to low and allow to simmer for 10 minutes. Then, remove from heat, and allow to cool before using. Store in the refrigerator up to one month. Alternately, freeze extra in an ice cube tray and thaw as needed.

Other tips:

We recommend zesting the fruit prior to juicing and throwing it in the freezer for future recipes. We can always find a use for zest.
Adding a sparkling water or lemon-lime soda will create a fun fizzy beverage for kids of any age.
However, if you want to turn any of these into an, ahem, adult beverage, feel free to add a shot of gin, bourbon, vodka, tequila, or rum.

Equipment Needed:

Basic Kitchen Kit: This is going to include measuring cups and spoons, a mixing bowl and whisk, cutting board and knife, a large pot, and a spatula or wooden spoon. These are basically the items you would have in your home kitchen to cook.
Drink pitcher: we prefer a glass one at home but acknowledge a plastic one is safer at the campsite.
Glasses: we love our mason jars with handles

We sure hope you enjoy these recipes for classic lemonade and limeade!

If you enjoy these homemade recipes, but want to try something new, feel free to test out any of our fruity and/or herbal variations. We love to indulge with fresh fruit in season or frozen in the off season, using flavored simple syrups we make ourselves. Tag us on Instagram @campinganswer and let us know what new flavors we should try!