One of the best beloved summer drink recipes is this State Fair Lemonade recipe. It offers a sweet-tart taste that is so refreshing.

Beloved Summer Drink: State Fair Lemonade Recipe

When the days get longer and warmer, it brings back memories of lazy summer afternoons as a child, with a trip to the Wisconsin State Fair, fresh grilled brats and relaxing evenings in front of a blazing campfire with my family. It also stirs up my need to make one of my family’s favorite drink recipes: State Fair Lemonade.

This cool sweet-tart drink is so quintessential to everything summery, so I decided to share with you my “secret” (well, maybe not-so-secret now) recipe for the best lemonade this side of the Mississippi.

You might ask, why make lemonade from fresh lemons when you could easily buy it off the grocery shelf. My answer would have to be: taste, taste, taste. Nothing can compare with the freshness lemons offer when they are squeezed at home.

RELATED: Fresh Lemon Martini

There’s no substitute for the real thing, believe me.

For this recipe, you have control over how many lemons you put into your drink, as well as the amount of sugar you use. I start out with two lemons, but I’ve also used more on occasion–especially if I need to fill my super large “State Fair-size” glass–or, if I want seconds.

Plus, it’s super easy to double the recipe to satisfy a whole youth baseball team or visiting neighborhood kids.

To Start:

If you’re planning on making a glass or two. use a lemon reamer. It’s faster and quicker, of course.

But if you’re going to do a ton of lemons, you’ll definitely want something powered to save from wearing out your hands. A motorized stand juicer is the perfect tool for large amounts of juicing. Either way, you’ll be able to squeeze every bit of that deliciousness out of the lemons without any muss or fuss.

Proctor Silex Alex’s Lemonade Stand Citrus Juicer

Next, add your sugar (white granulated sugar works best) before adding any additional water or ice. If you do it in this order, the sugar will have a chance to dissolve fully and then you’ll reduce the chance of leaving sugar at the bottom of your glass when you’re finished.

Finally, serve it up your State Fair Lemonade with a sliced lemon on the rim of the glass. And there you have it – perfectly refreshing lemonade!

For more summertime drink ideas, be sure to check out my Pinterest Board: Drink and Cocktail Recipes from Wisconsin Homemaker.

5 from 3 votes

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State Fair Lemonade Recipe

Summertime wouldn't be the same without fresh squeezed State Fair Lemonade. This recipe makes one serving, but it's easy to double the recipe. Made simply with ripe lemons, sugar, ice and water.

Course Drinks

Cuisine American

Keyword 5-minutes-or-less, kid friendly, picnic, summer drink

Prep Time 5 minutes

Total Time 5 minutes

Servings 1 serving

Calories 247 kcal

Author Deborah L Melian

Ingredients

• 1 cup lemon juice
• 1/4 cup sugar (add more if you like it sweeter)
• 1 cup ice
• 2 cups water

Instructions

1. Squeeze lemons and place juice in a 16 ounce glass.
2. Add sugar to juice and stir until sugar is completely dissolved.
3. Next top with ice.

4. Fill glass with additional water and stir well again. Serve. Enjoy!

Recipe Video

Nutrition Facts

State Fair Lemonade Recipe

Amount Per Serving (1 serving)

Calories 247

% Daily Value*

Sodium 28mg 1%

Potassium 251mg 7%

Total Carbohydrates 66g 22%

Sugars 56g

Vitamin C 114.5%

Calcium 3%

Iron 1.1%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.