Learn how to make fair-style lemonade shake ups using fresh squeezed lemons with this quick, easy and refreshing State Fair Lemonade recipe.

Homemade Lemonade Shake Ups

One of the best beloved summer drink recipes is this State Fair Lemonade recipe, also known as Lemon Shake Ups. This recipe is based upon the version you love and come to know and expect at county fairs. It offers a sweet-tart taste that is so refreshing.

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. There you’d see vendors shaking up fresh lemonade in a blaze of speed that tastes amazing. That was my inspiration for this quick and easy: State Fair Lemonade.

This cool sweet-tart drink is so quintessential to everything summer. That’s why I want to share with you my “secret” recipe how to make fresh squeezed lemonade like at the fair.

RELATED: Fresh Lemon Martini

You might ask, why make lemonade from fresh lemons when you could easily buy lemonade 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.

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 usually start out with two lemons, but there are also occasions when I make this fair lemonade recipe with more–especially if I need to fill my super large “State Fair-size” glass–or, if I want seconds.

Best of all, it’s super easy to double this recipe to satisfy a whole youth baseball team or visiting neighborhood kids.

How to Make Fair Lemonade

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) right to the lemon juice before adding any additional water or ice and stir well.

If you do it in this order, the sugar will have a chance to dissolve fully into the lemon juice and then you’ll reduce the chance of leaving sugar at the bottom of your glass when you’re finished.

To make a “shake-up” version of fair lemonade, place your lemon juice, sugar, and half the amount of water in a tightly lidded jar. Seal. Shake until all the ingredients have combined. Then add the rest of the water. Shake again. Serve over ice. It’s that easy!

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

More Blue Ribbon Recipe Winners

If you love the best that county or state fairs have to offer, then check out these delicious treats (also from Wisconsin Homemaker) that definitely will win you a blue ribbon with your friends and family.

• Wisconsin Rhubarb Pie
• No Bake Whipped Chocolate Oreo Cheesecake
• Door County Cherry Cobbler
• Creamy Macaroni and Cheese
• No Churn Homemade Vanilla Ice Cream
• Zesty Lemon Pound Cake
• Frozen Watermelon Margarita
• Easy German Potato Salad