My Mom's Meyer Lemonade is easy-to-make, full of flavor and has the perfect balance of ingredients. It's refreshing, sweet, tangy and oh-so-delicious.
I always absolutely loved seeing my mom in her gorgeous kitchen, working on a project with the antique cooking tools she'd collected over the years.
My dad would bring in a couple dozen lemons at a time from their Meyer lemon tree in the backyard, and my mom would immediately get to work on her lemonade.
She started making her Meyer lemonade when their backyard tree began producing lemons. My mom never let a single lemon go to waste, and her recipe was and still is the best!
What's in my mom's lemonade recipe?
- water
- granulated sugar
- fresh Meyer lemon juice
- dash of salt
The ingredients are more or less expected -- it's how my mom made it that's unique.
How to Make it
- Heat the sugar and water together.
- Add the lemon juice and salt, and stir.
- Cool and refrigerate.
(More detailed instructions are below.)
Of course, there's a whole lotta love it this recipe, too.
Whenever I walked into my mom's kitchen when she busy cutting and juicing lemons, I was always struck by the beautiful work space she'd unintentionally created.
My mom was so organized in the kitchen. That's how I like to work too -- there's a better flow when everything is in its place.
What to do With and Abundance of Lemons
In my mom's kitchen, when they weren't in the lemonade, they'd get . . .
- squeezed on fish
- whipped into a dessert
- or added to her tea
She also loved to make scrumptious lemon bars and lemon-basil salad dressing.
This huge Jacaranda tree has stood in my parents' yard since before I was born.
It's always been as strong and as beautiful as ever and "rains" its pretty purple flowers in May and June.
This is one of my all time favorite photographs my dad took in the 70's -- me, my mom, and brother, under the Jacaranda tree.
The common thread between the Jacaranda flowers and the lemonade are that both will forever make me think of my mom and dad and their gorgeous gardens.
More of my Recipes With Meyer Lemons
- Meyer Lemon Crinkle Cookies
- Lemon Blueberry Cookies
- Meyer Lemon Basil Pizza
- Meyer Lemon Olive Oil Cake
- Fried Meyer Lemon Caesar Salad
- Meyer Lemon Thyme Spaghetti
- Whipped Meyer Lemon Vanilla Butter
- Meyer Lemon Vanilla Hot Milk Cake
My mom's Meyer lemonade recipe is quick, easy, delicious and the perfect summertime (or anytime) drink!
My Mom's Meyer Lemonade Recipe
Ingredients
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 2 cups water
- 2 cups Meyer lemon juice
- dash of salt
Instructions
- In a small saucepan, heat the sugar with the water until it's dissolved. Remove from the stove and pour it into a large pitcher.
- Add the lemon juice and a bit of salt. Stir to blend.
- Once the lemonade has cooled to room temperature, place it in the refrigerator.
- Serve chilled over ice.
NOTES
NUTRITION
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Beth Fulton
What a beautiful post...........
Heidi @ Food Doodles
That looks beautiful. I love the color of it! I've never used meyer lemons but they look so good. We have the exact same tool to juice lemons. I had never seen one like that before but I love it now 🙂
valentina
Heidi, I love that you have the same juicer. My mom has collected things like that her whole life -- she's not sure when this one entered her life, but she uses all the time! Thanks for the comment and I hope you'll try a Meyer lemon! 🙂
Denise
I have fond memories of my Mom making lemonade and putting it in a large pitcher and then slicing up an orange and putting that into the lemonade. It was so pretty and really quinched my thirst.
valentina
Orange slices in the lemonade -- I love it! Must look beautiful in a glass pitcher!
Roberta
I don't know what I love the most about this Friday's post -- the story, the photos, or the yummy summertime recipe.
valentina
Thank you Ro! XOXO
Aimee
This post made me teary - in a good way. 🙂 xo
John K
Yum! And thanks for that great picture. I think I remember it. That tree is older than Mom and Dad, too! I love how you consider food goodness and presentation to go together. The flowers look great with the lemons.
Tamara Walker
This is now my favorite recipe too for the love of MAMA!
yvonne w
wow! I love the recipe, thanks for sharing. On another note....you look like my twin in the pic you posted there with your mom and brother.
Cathy A
What sweet and delicious memories.
valentina
Thank you so much, Cathy! xoxo
David
Oh, I remember my first Mother’s Day after my mother died - it will be 30 years this July. You are in my heart, Valentina.
Thanks for sharing her Meyer lemonade recipe, and your others!
Helene Goldnadel
Loved this... It is truly an amazing magical power that lemon juice is packed with.
valentina
Thank you so much Helene! I'm so happy you liked my mom's recipe, and I completely agree about "magical powers!" 🙂
Reba
A friend of mine brought by a huge bag of lemons the other day and I just finished juicing them. I froze two 4-cup bags, but had a little left over so decided to look for a lemonade recipe. Your post was so wonderful to read and the recipe is delicious. And the funny part was, my “leftover” amount of lemons.....exactly two cups. 🙂 Have a Merry Christmas!
valentina
Reba, you made my day. My favorite posts/recipes are those relating to my mom. SO great you had exactly the right amount of juice.I love that! Happy holiday season to you and thank you! 🙂
Judy
Now I am thirsty.
Alan Morrison
I used the recipe on the Meyer lemon bag, but added the juice of one well-ripened lime to the juice of eight Meyer lemons to give it a little different taste. I threw in a few thin-sliced lime rind mostly for color and visual appeal. It proved a nice combination.
valentina
Sounds lovely, Alan! 🙂
Christina Conte
Somehow I missed this post, but how beautiful it is. You must miss your mom immensely, Valentina, but those little things like Meyer lemons and Jacaranda trees keep you connected to her.
I'm sure the pinch of salt in the lemonade adds more flavor to it, must try! Thank you for sharing your mom's recipe. <3
valentina
Awww, thank you so much, Christina! I do miss her and yes, there are so many little things every day that keep the connection strong. 🙂
Brenda
I love your sweet, sweet story about your mom. 💕
valentina
Thank you so much, Brenda. I so appreciate you taking the time to write me this note. 🙂 ~Valentina
Paul
Is the sugar ratio right? Tried it and it seems like there should be more sugar.
valentina
Hi Paul, The correct sugar measurement is listed -- but, please feel free to add more or less based on your taste. Hope you like it and happy new year. 🙂 ~Valentina
2pots2cook
So heart warming post Valentina... Thank you so much 🙂 🙂 🙂
valentina
Thank you, Davorka! 🙂 ~Valentina
Roz | La BellaVita Cucina
What a lovely post about your mother. The lemonade is perfect right now when citrus is so fresh -- not just for summer. Thanks for sharing this beautiful post.
valentina
Hi Roz. Thank you so very much for this lovely note. Hope you make a big pitcher of it and enjoy! 🙂 ~Valentina
John / Kitchen Riffs
That photo of you, your brother, and your mom is terrific. Wonderful light! And this is wonderful lemonade. When we live din Florida we had a Meyer lemon tree in our yard. I SO miss that!
valentina
So appreciate the kind words, John. Wish I could send you some lemons. Thanks and enjoy! 🙂 ~Valentina
Colette
I love, love LOVE Meyer lemons!
Our tree is still too young to bear enough fruit, but my friend gave us some from her lovely tree and Daisy just loves lemonade.
I like your mom's recipe - the dash of salt is brilliant!
What a beautiful post. Thanks for sharing these lovely moments captured in pics. xo
valentina
Thanks so much, Colette! Love that Daisy loves lemonade -- bet she'd like to make it too. From your pics, I gather the entire family loves to cook as much as you. 🙂 ~Valentina
David @ Spiced
What a fun post with the family photos! I'm not gonna lie - I'm always a bit jealous whenever you mention the Meyer lemon tree in the backyard. We are lucky to even find Meyer lemons at the store here - and when we do, they are insanely expensive! However, this lemonade is calling my name, so you better believe I'll be watching for Meyer lemons at the store now!
valentina
Hope you come across them, David. Other lemons will be good, too. I know you have plenty of other delicious things growing in your yard. Thanks for visiting. 🙂 ~Valentina
Kim Lange
Awe so sweet! We had Granny Smith apple trees and Bartlett Pear trees in our back yard and I can totally relate to your affection of your Meyer Lemon tree and the Jacaranda growing up with family and the fun memories. Pinning! xo
valentina
Aww, thank you for the kind words, Kim. Apple and pears would be so awesome to have in the yard. Luck you. Enjoy! 🙂 ~Valentina
Dawn - Girl Heart Food
Such a lovely post! And sweet photo! Those are the best recipes! I love lemon so I'm all over this and wish I had a glass right now. So lucky with the lemon tree, too! Wish we could grow those around here. I'd be making this lemonade all the time 🙂
valentina
Thanks so much, for the kind words, Dawn. Hope you enjoy! 🙂 ~Valentina
Nicole
Made this tonight and it’s fantastic!
valentina
Hi Nicole, thanks so much for writing in. I'm so happy you liked this lemonade recipe. All of the green lemons on my little lemon tree are in the process of turning yellow, so I'll be making a lot of it soon. 🙂 ~Valentina
Conni Naylor
Recipe was easy to make. I don't like overly sweet lemonade but this one was just a little too tart for me. Next time I will add a few more tablespoons of sugar.
Valentina
Hi Conni, Thanks so much. And yes, you should definitely add more or less sugar to your taste. Enjoy! 🙂 ~Valentina
Joyce Nowlin
Visiting family in Camarillo, Ca and she has a tree with Meyers Lemons! Day 2 being here and I can say for the first time I have picked my own lemons and hand squeezed them (she didn’t have a squeezer that worked for these size lemons). Have added a little more sugar and water so our 3 year old grandtwins might drink it!!
Chilling in fridge now! But the sample taste test was perfect!
Valentina
Hi Joyce, Thanks so much fro writing in. I'm so happy you love the lemonade, and it's even better when you pick and juice your own lemons. How fun! I was just in Camarillo last week -- I have family there, too. 🙂 ~Valentina
sherry
i love that photo of you as children with your mum. So sweet. This recipe is kind of like the citrus cordial i make. I make a sugar syrup - one cup sugar to one cup water; simmer for a few minutes and let it cool. then add some to a glass with cold or sparkling water. so refreshing!
https://sherryspickings.blogspot.com/
Valentina
Hi Sherry, Thank you so much. It's one of my favorites. 🙂 Enjoy! ~Valentina
Jeff the Chef @ Make It Like a Man!
What a beautiful remembrance of your mom! I can't imagine how cool it'd be to go out into your backyard and pick a lemon! I've never added salt to my lemonade before, but it makes sense. I'll have to try that.
Valentina
Thanks so much, Jeff. Hope you enjoy! I find a touch of salt always makes sense. 😉 ~Valentina