Homemade Lemonade Concentrate (Frozen or Canning)

Homemade lemonade is as sweet or tangy as you want it to be! Enjoy lemonade made with fresh lemons all year long with this homemade lemonade concentrate recipe.

• How to Make Lemonade Concentrate
• How to Can Lemonade Concentrate
• How to Freeze Lemonade Concentrate
• FAQs

How to Make Lemonade concentrate

In order to make this large batch of lemonade you will need, 

• a lot of lemons
• a juicer, 
• sugar
• and a large pot

1. Juice 10 cups of fresh lemon juice. You can do this by hand or a hand juice but I highly recommend you use an electric juice. 
2. Add 4-5 cups of sugar* to the 10 cups of your freshly squeezed lemon juice in a large pot. I actually used 6 cups of sugar the first time I made this and it was too sweet and I lost the tangy taste of the lemon. So I suggest adding 4 cups of sugar and tasting it then adding more if needed.
3. Heat on medium heat to high heat until all the sugar is dissolved. Stir continuously to help the process. You want the sugar fully dissolved but you don’t need to boil it. 
4. Poor in to pint or quart size mason jars. Freeze or Can your homemade lemonade concentrate to store for 6-12 month or in the refrigerator for 5-7 days. 
5. To make lemonade poor 1 part concentrate to 3 parts cold water. Stir and enjoy on a hot summer day.

* I use Meyer lemons, they are sweeter then other lemons. If you are using Lisbon or Eureka Lemons, which are more tart, you will probably want more sugar.

How to Can Lemonade Concentrate

To Can the lemonade concentrate you will need 

• Canning jars
• Canning lids
• Water bath canner
• Jar lifter
• Funnel
• Ladle
• and a little vinegar on a clean rag.

1. First, sanitize your canning jars and lid. Wash in hot water, then boil/steam the jars in canning pot for 10 minutes. They don’t all have to be submerged, the steam will sanitize them. I also place all my lids and ring in my stainless steel colander and steam them on top of the jars while they boil.
2. When done place the clean jars on the counter on a clean kitchen towel, let them air dry. 
3. Using the funnel, ladle the hot concentrate into prepared canning jars. Leaving 1/4 inch headspace from top. 
4. Clean the top of the jars with little vinegar to insure a clean seal and put prepared lids and rings on finger tight. Don’t twist too tight or you may get a false seal. 
5. Heat water in a water bath canning pot to 180 degrees or until steaming but not boiling. I also add a splash of vinegar to the water to help with any hard water spots on my can. I like them coming out clean and pretty. 
6. Place jars with hot lemonade concentrate in the hot water bath canning pot. The goal is for the liquid in the can and the water in the canning pot to be of similar temperature. If the one is cold and one is hot it could break the glass. The cans need to be fully submerged giving at least an inch of water covering them.
7. Bring to a boil they may could take 20 minutes and boil for 10 minutes then turn off the heat and let sit for 5 minutes before taking them out.
8. Take them out using your jar lifter and set them on a kitchen towel on the counter. Let cool completely before taking the rings off.
9. Check for any false seals and store on a shelf for 12-18 months. To make lemonade, mix 1 pint of juice with 3 pints of water.

How to freeze Lemonade Concentrate 

To freeze lemonade concentrate you will need 

• A container for freezing. Canning jar or ice cube tray or freezer ziploc bags.
• Measure cup or ladle

Freezing in mason jars. 

1. Clean your pint jar or quart sized mason jars and lids with very hot soupy water. 
2. Using a funnel and ladle, poor your lemonade concentrate your clean mason jar. Leave a 1/2-1 inch head space. 
3. Either freeze without the lids off for 12-24 hours to allow expansion without pressure or make sure your lids are on loosely. The next day tighten your lids just till they are tight, don’t over tighten. 
4. To make lemonade, take your concentrate out and let thaw our in the fridge or on the counter. Once thawed enough to slide out of the jar you can mix it with 3 parts (3 jars) of water till completely dissolved.
   Tip! For quick thawing you can the jar in room temperature to warm, not hot water. Too hot and your mason jar might break. Once loose enough to come out of the jar you can poor 1 jar of warm water to help it thaw then add 2 jars of cold water for a refreshing drink. 

Freezing in Ice Cube Trays 

1. Poor your lemonade concentrate into clean ice cube trays
2. Freeze in ice cube trays for 12-24 hours then transfer to a freezer zip lock bag for longer storage. 
3. To make lemonade a pitcher take 14 lemonade concentrate ice cubes and stir till dissolved into 5-6 cups of water. 
4. To make 1 glass of lemonade take 2-3 lemonade concentrate ice cubes to 12 oz cup of water. Mix and enjoy on a hot summer day. 

Freezing in ziploc bags

1. Poor 2 cups of lemonade concentrate into a quart size freezer ziploc bags. 
2. Label and lay flat to freeze. 
3. To make lemonade thaw our your ziploc bags of concentrate in the fridge, on the counter or in a bowl of hot water. 
4. Mix with 6 cups of water (1 part concentrate to 3 parts water) to make about 1/2 a gallon or 8 cups of lemonade.

FAQ’s 

What types of lemons should I use?

You can use any type of lemons you want or have available. Some lemons are sweeter (Meyer) and other are more tart (Lisbon). Depending of the type you use you may want to add or leave out some of the sugar to get the desired taste for your lemonade. 

How many cups of water to I add to the concentrate?

1 part lemonade concentrate and 3 parts water has given me best results. I you are unsure do 1 part concentrate and 2 parts water. Taste your lemonade till the desired strength. 

How long does frozen lemonade concentrate last?

You can keep your frozen concentrate for up to 1 year. 

How long does canned lemonade concentrate last?

You can keep canned lemonade concentrate for 12-18 months. Best flavor with in the first year.