Homemade Agave Lemonade Recipe

Agave sweetened lemonade is a special treat for warm weather and it's very easy to make. This is the perfect drink for summer entertaining. It can also be stored in the refrigerator so your family can enjoy it whenever they need a refreshing drink.

Rather than the sugar that is typically used to sweeten homemade lemonade, this recipe uses agave nectar. It's a nice change because the sweetener gives the drink a richer profile that is lovely against the bright citrus. The ginger and mint also bring in interesting flavors and make this recipe stand out from most.

Like any lemonade, there are many ways that you can customize this recipe. From sparkling to extra fruity, even mixed into ​an Arnold Palmer, the possibilities are endless. Don't worry, we'll also give you plenty of ideas to start your own experiments.

What You'll Need
1 1/2 cups lemon juice (fresh; about 6 lemons)
6 cups water
3/4 cup agave nectar (or to taste)
1 tablespoon ginger (fresh, finely grated)
Garnish: mint leaves (fresh)
Garnish: lemon (thinly sliced)

How to Make It
Stir together the lemon juice, water, and agave nectar.
Stir in the grated ginger (if desired) and chill thoroughly.
Serve with mint leaves and very thinly sliced lemon.

Make It Sparkle
It's easy to transform this recipe into a sparkling lemonade.

All you have to do is use sparkling water instead of the still water. Keep the same measurement and serve the drinks with lemon twists, just be sure to drink it right away before it loses the carbonation.

For a fun twist, add a few tablespoons of elderflower syrup. The floral flavor is a nice foundation for a simple vodka cocktail. Another option is to skip the ginger and sweeten it with grenadine or a raspberry syrup. With this mix, you can turn it into a cocktail with a shot of your favorite rum.

Add More Citrus
There's no need to restrict yourself to lemons in your lemonade. You can give it a new, tangy flavor by substituting 1/2 cup of the lemon juice with lime or another citrus. Serve this with a fresh sprig of mint and a garnish of seasonal berries.

You might also enjoy equal parts of lime juice and tangerine juice. Garnish this with mint, blackberries, and raspberries. The sparkling version is great for cocktails.

Create an interesting pink lemonade by using 1 cup red grapefruit juice and 1/2 cup lime juice instead of the lemon. Add enough raspberry or pomegranate juice to make the mix as pink as you like.