One-Burner Fresh Camp Lemonade with Real Lemons
Dissolve 3/4 cup sugar in 1 cup warm water in a small pot over a medium-low camp stove flame, about 3 minutes. Squeeze 6 lemons for about 1 cup juice, then stir the juice and syrup into 5 cups cold water in a jug. Chill it in the cooler if you have room. Total time is about 15 minutes.
This is lemonade with three things in it: lemons, sugar and water. Warming the sugar first means it dissolves fully, so you don't get a gritty swallow at the bottom of the cup.
It's a good drink for a hot afternoon, a big group or a long hike-in day. Whole lemons keep well without a cooler, so it works on longer trips too.
One-Burner Fresh Camp Lemonade with Real Lemons
- Prep
- 10 min
- Cook
- 5 min
- Serves
- 6
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Heat
- Medium-low flame
- Pack weight
- 3 lb
- Campfire
- Camp stove
- Backpacking
- Cooler optional
- One burner
- Some water
- One-pan cleanup
- Prep ahead
Ingredients
Gear you'll need
- small pot
- camp stove
- 2-quart lidded jug or jar
- fine-mesh strainer
- cutting board
- knife
- 1-cup measuring cup
- mugs or cups
Steps
-
Wash the lemons
Scrub each lemon under treated or potable water. Dirt and germs on the peel can end up in the juice when you cut.
-
Dissolve the sugar
Put the sugar and 1 cup of water in a small pot over medium-low heat. Stir until the liquid turns clear, about 3 minutes. It does not need to boil. Take it off the heat.
-
Roll the lemons
Press each lemon firmly against a cutting board and roll it under your palm for a few seconds. This loosens the pulp so you get more juice.
-
Squeeze the juice
Cut the lemons in half and squeeze them over a strainer set on a measuring cup. You want about 1 cup of juice. Discard the seeds.
-
Mix the lemonade
Pour the warm syrup and the lemon juice into a clean jug. Add the remaining 5 cups of cold water and stir well.
-
Taste and chill
Taste it. If it's too tart, stir in a splash more water. Seal the jug and chill it in the cooler for at least 30 minutes, or serve it as is.
Trail Notes
Squeeze the lemons at home and carry the juice in a sealed jar in the cooler for up to 3 days. At camp you only need to make the syrup and mix.
Whole lemons stay fresh for a week or more in a cool, shaded spot. Without a cooler, make smaller batches and drink the lemonade within a few hours.
Carry the lemons in a hard container so they don't bruise. Pack the sugar in a leakproof zip bag.
Pack out the lemon rinds and seeds. Strain leftover sugar water and scatter it at least 200 feet from water, camp and trails.
Campers ask
Can I make camp lemonade without heating the sugar?
Yes, but granulated sugar dissolves slowly in cold water. Shake it hard in a sealed jar for a couple of minutes, or warm a little water first as in this recipe.
How long does homemade lemonade last at camp?
In a cooler kept at 40°F or below, it's best within 2 days. Without cold storage, drink it within a few hours.
How many lemons do I need per gallon of lemonade?
A good rule is about 12 medium lemons per gallon, with sugar to taste. This recipe makes about 2 quarts from 6 lemons.
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