Mary Berry Lemonade Recipe

This refreshing zesty Mary Berry Lemonade is made with fresh lemons, caster sugar, and boiling water, and ready in 2 hours and 10 minutes. Pouring that first ice-cold glass on a warm afternoon feels incredibly rewarding. I always keep a pitcher of this in my fridge during summer.

What Makes This Version Different

I used to buy bottled lemonade until I realized how simple the traditional method truly is. The secret here is pouring boiling water directly over the lemon zest to release the essential citrus oils.

I originally thought boiling water would make it bitter, but it actually extracts a pure, intense flavour. You simply let it cool, strain out the bits, and enjoy the freshest drink imaginable.

Mary Berry Lemonade Ingredients

• 4 large unwaxed lemons
• 150g caster sugar
• 1.2 litres boiling water
• Ice cubes, to serve
• Fresh mint sprigs, for garnish

How To Make Mary Berry Lemonade

1. Prepare the lemons: Peel the zest from three lemons using a vegetable peeler, being careful to avoid the bitter white pith. Juice all four lemons into a small bowl and set aside.
2. Make the base: Place the lemon zest and caster sugar into a large heatproof jug. Pour the boiling water over the zest and sugar, stirring well until the sugar completely dissolves.
3. Add the juice: Pour the freshly squeezed lemon juice into the hot sugar water mixture. Stir briefly to combine.
4. Steep and chill: Allow the mixture to cool to room temperature, then place it in the fridge to chill for at least two hours.
5. Strain and serve: Strain the cold lemonade through a fine sieve to remove the zest. Serve over plenty of ice with fresh mint sprigs.

Recipe Tipsi

• Use unwaxed lemons: Standard lemons have a wax coating that traps the oils, so unwaxed lemons give a much brighter flavour.
• Avoid the pith: When peeling the zest, leave the white spongy part behind because it will make your drink taste bitter.
• Adjust the sweetness: You can easily add a little more sugar to the hot water if you prefer a sweeter finish.

What To Serve With Lemonade

This crisp drink pairs beautifully with light summer salads, finger sandwiches, or a classic Victoria sponge. It cuts through the richness of buttery pastries and balances out salty savoury snacks perfectly.

How To Store

Keep the lemonade in a sealed glass bottle or covered pitcher in the fridge for up to four days. You can also freeze the lemonade in ice cube trays to drop into future drinks without watering them down.

FAQs

Can I use sparkling water instead?

Yes, you can make a concentrated syrup with less boiling water. Simply top up your glass with cold sparkling water when serving.

Why is my lemonade bitter?

Bitterness usually comes from the white pith of the lemon. Make sure to peel only the thin yellow outer skin.

Can I substitute the caster sugar?

Granulated sugar works perfectly fine, but it might take a few extra seconds of stirring to dissolve in the boiling water.

Nutrition

• Calories: 55 kcal
• Total Fat: 0 g
• Saturated Fat: 0 g
• Cholesterol: 0 mg
• Sodium: 2 mg
• Total Carbohydrate: 14 g
• Protein: 0 g

Try More Recipes:

• Mary Berry Lemon and Poppy Seed Cake Recipe
• Mary Berry Lemon and Lime Cake Recipe
• Mary Berry Lemon and Blueberry Cake Recipe