Brown Sugar Lemonade is a fresh twist on classic lemonade, with fresh lemon juice and a rich brown sugar syrup that adds a warm, caramel-like sweetness. It takes about 15 minutes to make and is easy to scale up for a crowd. Serve it over ice with lemon slices for a refreshing summer drink.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings (about 6 cups)
- Category: Beverage
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
- 1 cup (200 g) packed light brown sugar
- 1 cup (240 ml) water, for the syrup
- 1 cup (240 ml) fresh lemon juice (from about 5 to 6 large lemons)
- 3 to 4 cups (720 to 960 ml) cold water, to dilute
- Pinch of salt
- Ice, for serving
- Lemon slices and fresh mint, for garnish
Instructions
- Make the brown sugar syrup: in a small saucepan, combine the brown sugar and 1 cup of water. Heat over medium heat, stirring, until the sugar dissolves completely, about 3 to 5 minutes. Remove from the heat and let cool for 10 minutes.
- Juice the lemons and strain out the seeds. You should have about 1 cup of juice.
- In a large pitcher, combine the brown sugar syrup, lemon juice, and a pinch of salt. Stir well.
- Add 3 cups of cold water and stir. Taste and add up to 1 more cup of water if it is too strong, or a little more lemon juice if it is too sweet.
- Chill for at least 30 minutes, or serve right away over plenty of ice.
- Garnish with lemon slices and fresh mint. Stir before pouring, since the syrup can settle at the bottom.
Notes
- Use fresh lemons: Bottled juice tastes flat and will change the flavor of the lemonade.
- Adjust the sweetness: Start with 3 cups of water, then taste. Add more water to make it lighter, or more syrup for a sweeter drink.
- Light vs. dark brown sugar: Light brown sugar gives a mild caramel taste. Dark brown sugar gives a stronger molasses flavor.
- Make ahead: Prepare the syrup up to 1 week ahead and keep it in the refrigerator. Mix with the lemon juice and water when you are ready to serve.
- Storage: Keep the lemonade covered in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- Variations: Use sparkling water for a fizzy version, add a few slices of fresh ginger to the syrup, or stir in fresh raspberries or sliced strawberries.
- For a crowd: Double or triple the recipe and serve from a drink dispenser.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 135
- Sugar: 34 g
- Sodium: 35 mg
- Fat: 0 g
- Saturated Fat: 0 g
- Unsaturated Fat: undefined
- Trans Fat: undefined
- Carbohydrates: 35 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 0 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
Find it online: https://thefamilycooking.com/brown-sugar-lemonade/
