Three ingredients, lemon, sugar, and water, this classic State Fair Lemonade is as refreshing as it is delicious. One sip of this summer refresher and childhood nostalgia of sweet treats, deep fried favorites, and questionable rides will come rushing back.
There’s a reason that the line for this hand-shaken beverage is the longest at every state or county fair or festival. It’s not only fresh, with the perfect amount of tang and sweetness, it’s made by the glass. Well, a really large glass anyway. We love to make this treat at home when we are having a barbecue, the kids love it (so do the adults!
What you need
Fresh lemons, granulated sugar, water, and ice are all you need to make this State Fair Lemonade. You’ll also want a large container and a cocktail muddler.
How to make State Fair Lemonade
Step 1 — Thoroughly clean lemons. Cut them into pieces by slicing the lemon into quarters then halve each wedge. Discard any seeds.
Step 2 — Add the pieces and sugar to a 32 ounce container. Muddle the lemons and sugar together until all the juice has been extracted.
Step 3 — Fill the container to the top with ice, covering the muddled mixture. Pour cold water into the container until it reaches the top, replace the lid and vigorously shake to combine the juice, sugar, and water.
Step 4 — Poke a hole in the lid, add a straw and enjoy!
Adaptations
- Mix-ins — add fresh fruit like berries, peaches, or pineapple. Muddle the fruit with the lemons.
- Sugar — swap granulated sugar with honey, sugar in the raw, agave syrup, simple syrup, or a sugar substitute like Splenda.
- Citrus — Use lime and oranges for a tri-citrus drink.
- Frozen fruit — Use frozen berries in place of ice.
- Garnish — fresh mint leaves and lemon slices.
Sarah’s Tips
- Prep — use lemons at room temperature. Press down on the lemons while rolling them on the counter or a cutting board. This will make juicing them easier.
- Mixing — if you don’t have a lid for your container, use a spoon to stir to combine. It may take a minute or two for the sugar to fully dissolve.
- Serving — this is best served and enjoyed immediately, however it can be stored in the refrigerator for a day. Shake or stir well before serving, as some natural separation may occur.
State Fair Lemonade (Giant Personal Size)
Equipment needed:
- 32 ounce plastic or glass jar
- Muddler tool
Ingredients:
- 2 large lemons washed
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- Ice enough to fill the container
- Cold water enough to fill the container
- Lemon wedges for garnish
Instructions:
- Wash the lemons thoroughly under cold water and dry them with a paper towel.
- Place each lemon on a countertop and gently roll it back and forth to help release the juices.
- Slice each lemon into quarters, then cut each quarter in half, giving you 8 evenly-sized chunks per lemon.
- Add the lemon chunks to your 32-ounce container. Sprinkle the sugar over the lemons.
- Use a muddler to firmly press and twist the lemons with the sugar, releasing the juices and mixing them with the sugar. Continue until most of the juice is extracted.
- Fill the container with ice to the top, covering the muddled mixture.
- Pour cold water into the container until it reaches the top.
- If your container has a lid, securely close it and shake vigorously to mix everything. If not, stir well with a long spoon until the sugar fully dissolves.
- Garnish with a lemon wedge. Serve immediately and enjoy!
How to Video:
Recipe Notes:
Nutrition:
Nutrition info is auto-generated. This information is an estimate; if you are on a special diet, please use your own calculations.
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