Orange Lemonade

Nothing says summer like a tall glass of Orange Lemonade! This lemonade variation is naturally sweetened with a quick honey simple syrup and made with freshly squeezed oranges and lemons. Celebrate the warmer weather with a refreshing glass of Orange Lemonade!

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Orange Lemonade Recipe

Nothing says the start of summer like citrus trees in full bloom, especially in Arizona. When the temperatures started warming up, boxes and boxes of citrus are all around the neighborhood, up for grabs.

Our neighbor let my son pick oranges from her fully mature orange tree that is probably 50 years old by now. He came back with as many oranges as his dad and he could carry. Which left me with needing to figure out how to use up as many oranges as possible!

You'd think I'd go for freshly squeezed orange juice, but the oranges were sweet, so I thought combining them with tart lemons would be perfect for sipping on in the warmer months. (Sweet oranges are also good with limes, as evidenced by my Orange Margarita.)

We love using more natural sweeteners like honey, maple syrup or fruit, so to sweeten this Honey Orange Lemonade just a bit, I made a quick simple syrup with honey. It's made the same way as a regular simple syrup, by boiling water and honey until the honey dissolves.

Why You'll Love This Recipe

• This Orange Lemonade is perfect for sharing! Make a big pitcher for sipping all week or for a party.
• It's all natural with no refined sugar.
• Honey adds delicious warmth to the drink that you'll absolutely love!
• It's a great way to use up fresh citrus!

Ingredients

You only need three ingredients for this Orange Lemonade: oranges, lemons and honey. It's all natural and so easy!

When choosing lemons and oranges, look for fruits that feel heavy for their size - this usually means they're juicier. The skin should be firm, smooth and brightly colored, without any soft spots or blemishes.

When picking out honey, look for a local variety if you can - it often has the freshest flavor and supports nearby beekeepers. Be sure to check the label to confirm it's pure honey without added corn syrup or fillers.

Substitutions & Variations

Switch the sweetener: You can make this orange lemonade with plain sugar if you don't have honey. Use the same amount. Maple syrup and agave nectar would also work.

Experiment with juice: You can add lime juice into this if you'd like to make it a bit more tart.

Make it a cocktail. Add a shot of vodka to each glass. Rum or tequila would also be good!

How to Make Orange Lemonade

You can make orange lemonade in a cinch. Here's what to do:

1. Warm the water and honey together in a pot over low heat, stirring until the honey fully dissolves. Then take it off the heat and let it cool.
2. Juice your lemons and oranges and pour the juice into a big pitcher. Add the water.
3. Once the honey syrup has cooled down, pour it into the pitcher too. Pop it in the fridge for about an hour so everything chills before you serve it.
4. Garnish it with a slice of orange or lemon! Fresh mint leaves would also be cute.

Tips for Success

For the best results, keep these key tips in mind while making this orange lemonade recipe:

• Max the juice. Roll the oranges and lemons on the counter before juicing to help release more juice. A few seconds in the microwave can help too - warm fruit juices more easily.
• Choose citrus wisely. Select slightly soft lemons and oranges. They're usually riper and juicier.
• Good things come to those who wait! Let the lemonade chill in the fridge for at least an hour - or longer if you can. The flavors get even better as they meld together.

FAQ

More Lemonade Recipes

• Blueberry Lemonade
• Peach Lemonade
• Peach Blackberry Lemonade