Homemade Orangeade
This quick and easy Orangeade is a refreshing drink recipe that combines orange juice, lemon juice, and simple syrup with water!
Orangeade Is The New Lemonade!
Splash into warmer weather holding an ice-cold glass of this citrusy, sweet Orangeade! Make up a pitcher of this refreshing citrus drink to share with friends and family at all those summertime gatherings.
To make this Homemade Orangeade the best, I elevated the elements of citrus by making it with freshly squeezed lemon and orange juice. This may take a few extra minutes, but the fresh taste of natural flavors is one you can’t get from the store-bought version!
And it will certainly pay off once you see just how much everyone else loves the fresh, crisp flavor of freshly squeezed in this Orangeade!
The Orangeade Tasting Experience
Taste: The citrusy combination of freshly squeezed orange and lemon juice that’s been sweetened with simple syrup makes for a crisp, refreshing beverage!
Iced: Quenching your thirst on a hot, humid day doesn’t get better than sipping on this ice-cold Orangeade that’s served perfectly chilled over ice! Cool down even more by blending up ice for a frozen Orangeade!
Garnishes: With this Orangeade, you won’t just experience a delicious drink, but the fun garnishes also make for an exciting appearance! Completing the tasting experience are visually pleasing garnishes like lemon slices, orange slices, fresh mint, and a fun straw!
Ingredients For Orangeade
- Water
- Orange Juice
- Lemon Juice
- Simple Syrup
For the best flavor, I do recommend making this Orangeade Recipe with freshly squeezed orange and lemon juice. This is easily done by cutting the oranges and lemons in half and then squeezing their juices into a liquid measuring cup using a citrus press.
Once you have your freshly squeezed juices, they’re combined with Simple Syrup for added sweetness. Using simple syrup versus just stirring in granulated sugar eliminates the gritty sugar granules that sometimes get left at the bottom of the pitcher after stirring.
Instead, simple syrup makes for a sweetener that’s thoroughly distributed, leaving you with a perfectly smooth drink! I prefer making homemade simple syrup since it’s made with just water and sugar in only 10 minutes!
How To Make Orangeade
Step 1: If using fresh lemon juice and orange juice, these will need to be squeezed first. To do this, cut the oranges and lemons in half and then use a citrus press to squeeze the juices out over a liquid measuring cup.
Step 2: Strain the freshly squeezed orange juice and lemon juice through a fine mesh sieve.
Step 3: Combine the strained orange juice, lemon juice, water, and simple syrup in a large pitcher.
Step 4: Pour into glasses over ice and garnish with an orange and lemon slice!
How To Store Orangeade
Keep the Orangeade in an airtight container, such as a large pitcher with a lid or mason jars with lids. If your pitcher doesn’t have a lid, you can tightly cover it with plastic wrap or tin foil.
Store the covered Orangeade in the refrigerator to enjoy for 2 to 3 days.
Freezing Orangeade To Enjoy Later!
For easier party prep with fresh juices, you can make Orangeade concentrate to freeze and enjoy later. To do this, squeeze the lemons and oranges and then strain their juices.
Afterward, you can combine it with the simple syrup or wait to add it when the juices thaw. Then, store the concentrate in a freezer-safe container in the freezer to use within three months.
When you’re ready to make the Orangeade, thaw the concentrate and combine it with the 5 cups of water.
Orangeade Substitutions And Variations
- Simple Syrup – I prefer making this Orangeade with homemade simple syrup; however, you can also use store-bought. Just be sure to grab a high-quality simple syrup such as the Torani brand.
- Sweeteners – Honey or agave nectar can be used to sweeten this Orangeade in place of simple syrup.
- Flavor variation – Feel free to swap out oranges for tangerines, grapefruits, or blood oranges for a flavor variation.
- Add Fizz – For a fizzy finish, you can use club soda or sparkling water in place of the water.
- Ice Cubes – To prevent the drink from being diluted, you could make orange juice ice cubes or orangeade ice cubes. Just fill an ice cube tray with juices and pop it in the freezer until frozen.
- Alcohol – Add vodka, gin, or rum to this recipe to create an Orangeade Cocktail.
Homemade Orangeade FAQs
No, orange juice is made with just oranges, whereas this Orangeade is made with orange juice, lemon juice, water, and simple syrup. This beverage is more like a cross between orange juice and lemonade!
This recipe is not carbonated unless you choose to swap out the water for club soda or sparkling water.
Yes, you can make this orangeade recipe with store-bought orange juice.
Absolutely, this would make it even more refreshing! To do so, combine the chilled orangeade with ice in a blender and pulse until a slushy consistency is created.
Refrigeration is necessary for this orangeade since it’s made with fruit juices. If the homemade beverage is not refrigerated, then bacteria will begin to grow, and it will become unsafe to drink.
More Lemonade Recipes
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Orangeade
Ingredients
- 2 cups orange juice preferably fresh squeezed, about 6 to 8 oranges
- 1 cup lemon juice preferably fresh squeezed, about 4 to 6 lemons
- ½ cup simple syrup see notes
- 5 cups water
Instructions
- Cut the oranges and lemons in half and then use a citrus press to squeeze the juices out into a liquid measuring cup.
- Strain the freshly squeezed 2 cups orange juice and 1 cup lemon juice through a fine mesh sieve.
- Combine the strained orange juice and lemon juice in a large pitcher with ½ cup simple syrup and 5 cups water. Stir to combine.
- Pour into glasses over ice and garnish with an orange and lemon slice and fresh mint.
Nutrition
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