This Single Serving Lemonade is the perfect balance of sweet and tart, and doesn’t leave you with a big pitcher of lemonade! This lemonade recipe is so fast and easy to make, you’re sure to be making it non-stop.

The first day of summer is both exciting and depressing.
Even though we’ve been acting like its summer already with inflatable pool parties and ice cream cones, we still have a lot to look forward to. Fire pits, sleeping with the windows open, and sun tans are definitely not on the agenda any other season of the year in Wisconsin.

Still, the first day of summer can be a bit depressing because it marks the longest day of the year. That means the days will only get shorter from now on. Each day will bring a little less sunshine which means colder days, autumn scarves, and Christmas right around the corner.
Let me tell you, I am NOT ready for Christmas. Even the thought of snow right now kind of makes me want to jump off a bridge. I just want to stay with you in this moment forever (name that theme song).

I can’t do summer without lemonade. While I have a rock solid go-to recipe, I don’t always have the time or energy to juice twelve lemons (or twenty four if I’m super thirsty and doubling). And frankly, I’m selfish. I’m making lemonade for me and you can’t have any.
This single serving lemonade recipe makes one sweet little glass of lemonade in about five minutes. Minimal juicing, maximum enjoyment. I used my electric kettle to heat my water up fast but you could also heat yours in the microwave or on the stovetop (or straight out the tap if you keep your water heater cranked).

This single serving lemonade is fun to customize! Here are a few ideas:
- Stir in a bit of strawberry sorbet (frozen or unfrozen) for strawberry lemonade
- Place contents in an ice cube tray and freeze for lemonade ice cubes that won’t water down your drink
- Add fresh produce at the end such as strawberries, raspberries, or cucumber for an infused lemonade
- Experiment with other types of sweeteners such as honey, agave, or stevia if you prefer not to have processed sugar
Make a glass of single serving lemonade and savor this day. You’re never getting this moment back.

Looking for more lemonade? Try my Strawberry Lemonade or Single Serving Strawberry Lemonade!

More drink recipes
- Mojito Mocktail
- Mojito Pitcher Recipe
- Pineapple Margarita
- Margarita Pitcher
- Strawberry Lemonade Vodka
Recipe

Single Serving Lemonade
Ingredients
- 2 Tablespoons granulated sugar
- ¼ cup hot water
- 3 tablespoons fresh-squeezed lemon juice, I used about 1 ½ small organic lemons
- ¾ cup cold water
- Ice
- Lemon slices, optional
Instructions
- In a 2 or 4 cup measuring cup, stir together the sugar and hot water until the sugar is dissolved. Stir in the lemon juice and cold water.
- Fill a large glass or pint mason jar with ice and several lemon slices. Fill to the top with lemonade and enjoy!
Reagan says
I put the pulp back into my lemonade for the extra texture and it ended up giving the lemonade some extra tang as well….came back inside from yard work and this is the first thing I did before sitting down to enjoy, now I just gotta get back up…it hits the spot for sure.
Lisa CT says
This was outstanding. Directions and ingredients are simple and satisfying. Thanks kindly ☺️
Just wondering if when you substitute honey or agave for the sugar, if it’s still 2 Tablespoons?
Lindsay Moe says
I think it would probably need less, maybe start with 1 tablespoon and you can add more from there.
Kimpton says
Best lemonade i have ever taseted.
Valentine says
So the lemonade ended up being extremely sour! Unlike most, i guess, I use 100% lemon juice instead of the “lemon juice” that comes in a fake plastic lemon (that kind is watered down lemon juice btw). I had to add a ton of sugar and water to my lemonade to combat the tartness. I only give this 2 stars because it doesn’t specify what kind of lemon juice one should use (and considering the recipe calls for lemon slices or even juice from lemons themselves instead of pre-bottled), I made the assumption that pure lemon juice would be fine. It was not! However, I’m sure the recipe would be fine with a little tweaking: I highly recommend one, maybe two, tablespoons of 100% pure lemon juice and closer to 4 tablespoons of sugar maximum.
Lindsay Moe says
I’m sorry you found it too sour. I just wanted to let other readers know that this is not the usual feedback on this recipe. I always use fresh squeezed lemons (which the recipe does specify), and it does have a strong flavor, but of course everyone has a personal preference.
Naomi says
Perfect combination of sweet and sour. Would recomend to anyone.
Mary says
Perfect !!!!Made with monk fruit sugar.
Lindsay Moe says
Glad it worked out, thanks for letting everyone know that swap works!
Wanda R. says
This was perfect, opened the fridge and seen the lemon juice I keep for adding into my teas and it gave me the instant craving for some lemonade. Found this recipe and it was perfect, we like tart lemonade in this house. I used the 3 tablespoons and then a few extra dashes 😊 thank you for this recipe.
B says
Just needed a craving quenched, used 2 tbsp sugar, 3 tbsp lemon juice & a cup and a half water.
Thanks!