This Homemade Sugar Free Lemonade is made using a handful of ingredients! This refreshing drink is made the classic way using freshly squeezed lemons and water. This no sugar version is better than Country Time!
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This post was originally published in 2018. It has since been updated.
Have you had the Diet Lemonade from ChickFilA? And do you like it? I have always hated the aftertaste. Many people love their regular lemonade, but I have often found that it is too sweet for me.
Table of Contents
Key Ingredients
- Lemons
- Water
- Sweetener
What Type of Sweetener to Use
You can sweeten lemonade naturally by using an organic sweetener like monkfruit. This will keep the recipe refined sugar-free.
How to Make Sugar Free Lemonade
- Squeeze the juice of fresh lemons using a lemon squeezer or a lemon juicer until you have 2 cups of juice.
- Place a saucepan on medium high heat and add 2 cups of water and 2 cups of sweetener to create a simple syrup.
- Stir continuously until the mixture is clear. It will appear cloudy at first.
- Add the simple syrup and lemon juice to a pitcher along with additional water to taste.
Simple Syrup
This recipe includes instructions on how to make simple syrup from a combination of water and sweetener that you heat on the stove.
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It is made by dissolving granulated sugar or sweetener in an equal amount of water over low heat, stirring occasionally until the sugar is completely dissolved. This creates a syrupy liquid that is sweeter than regular sugar and dissolves easily in cold liquids, making it perfect for sweetening iced drinks like lemonade.
Can You Use Bottled Lemon Juice
Sure, you can if you want. I'm not a fan of the taste, so I don't buy it. Bottled lemon juice is a product made from freshly squeezed lemon juice that has been pasteurized and packaged in bottles for convenience and extended shelf life.
How Many Carbs
One cup of lemonade has 2 net carbs.
How to Store it/How Long it Will Last
It will last stored in the refrigerator for up to 5-7 days. Store it in an airtight container to prevent contamination and to prevent the lemonade from absorbing any odors or flavors from other foods in the refrigerator.
Recipe Tips
- The number of lemons you will need will vary based on the size of the lemons you use and how much juice you can get from each. Typically, I use 8-10 lemons.
- The best cheap way to make this recipe is to pick up a bag of lemons from Costco. A bag is usually $6.
- If you are having trouble juicing the lemons, place them in the microwave for 15-20 seconds. This will help soften them up.
- Adjust this recipe to suit your taste and needs. If you like really sweet lemonade, add more sweetener.
- You can heat the simple syrup in the microwave if you wish. Heat it until the mixture turns clear, timing will vary.
- You can make strawberry lemonade using 2 cups of fresh puréed strawberries.
More Sugar Free Recipes
ChickFilA Frosted Lemonade
Sugar Free Whipped Cream
Sugar Free Banana Bread
Sugar Free Pound Cake
Sugar Free Cookie Dough
More Lemonade Recipes
Frozen Blended Strawberry Lemonade
Easy Strawberry Lemonade
Watermelon Lemonade
Sugar Free Lemonade
Ingredients
- 2 cups fresh-squeezed lemon juice
- 2 cups water
- 2 cups sweetener
- additional water to adjust to taste I added 5 cups
Instructions
- Juice the lemons using a lemon squeezer or lemon juicer.
- Add the lemon juice to a pitcher. I used a strainer when adding it to a pitcher because there were parts of the flesh from juicing.
- Pour 2 cups of water into a pan on medium-high heat. Add in the sweetener and stir.
- This will create a simple syrup. Continue to stir until the mixture is clear.
- Remove from the heat and add it to the pitcher with the lemon juice. Stir and add additional water to taste/meet your lemonade preference.
Video
Notes
- The number of lemons you will need will vary based on the size of the lemons you use and how much juice you can get from each. Typically, I use 8-10 lemons.
- The best cheap way to make this recipe is to pick up a bag of lemons from Costco. A bag is usually $6.
- If you are having trouble juicing the lemons, place them in the microwave for 15-20 seconds. This will help soften them up.
- Adjust this recipe to suit your taste and needs. If you like really sweet lemonade, add more sweetener.
- You can heat the simple syrup in the microwave if you wish. Heat it until the mixture turns clear, timing will vary.
- You can save a little time and work by using this monkfruit simple syrup from Lakanto instead of making your own.
- You can make strawberry lemonade using 2 cups of fresh puréed strawberries.
Veronica says
Super simple and delicious. I'd just juiced some lemons using my Kuvings slow juicer yesterday. Brandi just posted this recipe to her stories.... talk about perfect timing. The simple syrup was easy and quick to make. I used Lakanto Monkfruit Sweetner. The lemonade is DELICIOUS and perfect to beat these hot summer days ahead. If you don't tell the people it's keto, they won't know.
staysnatched says
That's right! Let's surprise them lol.
Lisa says
Finally a thirst-quenching lemonade that is good for you and actually tastes good too. I’m ready to start making this by the gallon! ? ❤️
staysnatched says
Yes! Must have some on hand at all times.
Rachel says
Made this with Meyer lemons cause I have a minor lemonade obsession this summer. So good and fresh! I’ll make it all summer now!
staysnatched says
Yay! The perfect summer drink!
Jenna Weems says
This was such a delicious, refreshing lemonade! I also used it as a low-carb mixer with a few shots of vodka and definitely recommend! I’m looking forward to making it many more times this summer.
staysnatched says
The perfect summer drink! Glad you enjoyed it!
Pamela says
Refreshing summertime drink. Easy to make. Not to sweet. Well make again
Pamela says
Refreshing summertime drink. Not to sweet perfect to pair with vodka. Will make again!!
staysnatched says
This is perfect for summer!
MrsBernieMadoff says
can you just use real lemon in the bottle instead of squeezing all those expensive lemons? It only takes one 16 oz. bottle, for 2 cups of lemons. I know it isnt as healthy as fresh lemon W/O the chemicals, buts its a lot cheaper. And I can make it more offend. what do you think?😁
staysnatched says
No. $2 for lemons isn’t expensive. If it is for you, do what you want.
Quinn says
So refreshing! This is the perfect healthy drink to mix up when I want something other than water. I’ve tried this same method with other types of citrus as well. Yum! Thank you Brandi!
staysnatched says
I'm glad you enjoyed it!
Jennifer says
I *just* bought lemons today with the intent to make lemonade. And before I could look up a recipe you posted yours. Great minds thinking alike! Cool and refreshing- tastes delicious. Thanks Brandi!
staysnatched says
You're welcome! Glad you enjoyed it.
Marsha says
Th perfect guilt free summer drink! I plan on pairing this with some gin or vodka to make a yummy cocktail but its amazing straight over ice. There is nothing difficult about this recipe and I will no longer buy my sugar free lemonade...homemade from here on out! Thank you Brandi!
staysnatched says
You're welcome! I'm glad you enjoyed it!
shauna awad says
I just made this lemonade this weekend and really enjoyed it. I’m not trying to drink empty calories so I really appreciate a lemonade that is not filled with sugar. This hit the spot on a hot weekend.
staysnatched says
Wonderful! I love to hear it!
D.W. says
Soooooo soooooo soooooo good! This is going to be a problem. Some of the best lemonade I've had and with no sugar added!
staysnatched says
haha a great problem to have.
Felicia says
Another great recipe! This is better than chick fil a! I said what I said! Making the simple syrup ensures the lemonade isn’t gritty. This is perfectly sweet and tart. Only problem is I do t want to share 😂
staysnatched says
haha! I wouldn't share this.
DW says
A summer staple ever since i found it 2 years ago! Love that the ingredients are simple and produces delicious no sugar added lemonade!
staysnatched says
So glad to hear it's a staple!
Erika says
I got a grocery bag of lemons from my bestie yesterday so I juiced about half the lemons and got a 3.5 cups of lemon juice so I made some lemonade! Half sugar and half monk fruit made for a perfect simple syrup! I'm going to use frozen strawberries tomorrow as ice cubes.
staysnatched says
That sounds so good!