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.
Inspiration
I always absolutely loved seeing my mom in her gorgeous kitchen, working on a project with the antique cooking tools she’s collected over the years.
My dad would bring in a couple dozen lemons at a time from their Meyer lemon tree in the backyard.
My mom started making her Meyer lemonade ever since the tree began producing lemons — my mom’s lemonade is the best, and she never let a single lemon go to waste.
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 makes 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 so Many 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
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.
My mom’s Meyer lemonade recipe is quick, easy, delicious and the perfect summertime (or anytime) drink!
A few more of my recipes with Meyer Lemons:
- 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
And here are a dozen more recipes inspired by my mom:
During citrus season, recipes with Meyer lemons are divine, and my mom's lemonade recipe is no exception. This easy-to-make Meyer lemonade recipe is fresh, refreshing, sweet, tangy and oh-so-delicious.
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 2 cups water
- 2 cups Meyer lemon juice
- dash of salt
-
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.
Meyer lemons are thought to be a cross between a standard lemon and an orange. They have smoother, thinner skin, a wonderful tangy aroma and are also sweeter and less acidic than most other lemons.
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Beth Fulton says
What a beautiful post………..
Heidi @ Food Doodles says
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 says
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 says
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 says
Orange slices in the lemonade — I love it! Must look beautiful in a glass pitcher!
Roberta says
I don’t know what I love the most about this Friday’s post — the story, the photos, or the yummy summertime recipe.
valentina says
Thank you Ro! XOXO
Aimee says
This post made me teary – in a good way. 🙂 xo
John K says
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 says
This is now my favorite recipe too for the love of MAMA!
yvonne w says
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 says
What sweet and delicious memories.
valentina says
Thank you so much, Cathy! xoxo
David says
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 says
Loved this… It is truly an amazing magical power that lemon juice is packed with.
valentina says
Thank you so much Helene! I’m so happy you liked my mom’s recipe, and I completely agree about “magical powers!” 🙂
Reba says
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 says
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 says
Now I am thirsty.
Alan Morrison says
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 says
Sounds lovely, Alan! 🙂
Christina Conte says
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 says
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 says
I love your sweet, sweet story about your mom. 💕
valentina says
Thank you so much, Brenda. I so appreciate you taking the time to write me this note. 🙂 ~Valentina
Paul says
Is the sugar ratio right? Tried it and it seems like there should be more sugar.
valentina says
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 says
So heart warming post Valentina… Thank you so much 🙂 🙂 🙂
valentina says
Thank you, Davorka! 🙂 ~Valentina
Roz | La BellaVita Cucina says
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 says
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 says
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 says
So appreciate the kind words, John. Wish I could send you some lemons. Thanks and enjoy! 🙂 ~Valentina
Colette says
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 says
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 says
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 says
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 says
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 says
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 says
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 says
Thanks so much, for the kind words, Dawn. Hope you enjoy! 🙂 ~Valentina