Homemade Orangeade


Last Updated: Feb, 16, 2026 by Mimi Council | This post may contain affiliate links.

If you like making homemade lemonade, then you will love this easy recipe for Homemade Orangeade! Just like lemonade, but with oranges! This simple summer drink is cool and refreshing.

If you like delicious drinks as much as I do, check out Homemade Sweetened Iced Tea, Healthy Orange Julius With Protein, Strawberry Watermelon Smoothie With Collagen, Strawberry Limeade, or Blood Orange Lemonade.

homemade orangeade in a mason jar on a marble countertop with fresh oranges.

A Quick Look At The Recipe

  • Recipe Name: Homemade Orangeade
  • Ready In: 10 minutes
  • Makes: 8 servings
  • Main Ingredients: oranges, cane sugar
  • Flavor Profile: sweet orange
  • Dietary Info: vegan, gluten free, eggless, no seed oils
  • Difficulty: Easy!
  • Why You’ll Love It: bright, sunny, and ridiculously simple orange drink

Why You'll Love This Recipe

  • Twist on Lemonade: If you like lemonade, you'll love this Homemade Orangeade! This is just like lemonade, but with oranges! Also, try Organic Pink Lemonade for a twist on lemonade.
  • So Easy: With only 3 ingredients, this recipe is incredibly easy. After making a simple syrup, you just juice the oranges, and mix everything together with water.
  • Light & Refreshing: This is a light and refreshing summer drink. Think of it like lemonade or iced tea.
  • No Flavors or Fillers: When you make your own drinks like this, you leave out all the artificial and natural flavors and filler ingredients that are not good for you.
Jump to:

What is Orangeande?

Orangeade is just like How to Make Homemade Lemonade, , but instead of lemons it's made with oranges. It starts by making a simple syrup (which is one part sugar to one part water). The simple syrup is heated over the stovetop so the sugar dissolves into the water. This is crucial as it ensures that the sugar is completely combined into the orangeade.

Once the simple syrup is made, you will juice oranges to get fresh orange juice. Then the simple syrup and orange juice are added together into a pitcher. Fill it with water and you have fresh homemade Orangeade that's an orangey and sweet version of lemonade! You can enjoy this drink on its own or use it in smoothies or cocktails.

Ingredients

individual ingredients for homemade orangeade laid out against a white background.
  • Cane Sugar: I use organic cane sugar as this is less processed than granulated white sugar.
  • Oranges: You'll need fresh organic oranges.

*For a full list of ingredients and measurements, visit the recipe card below.

Tips for Homemade Orangeade

  • All fresh oranges will taste a little different. Some may be sweeter, some may be more tart, it just depends on the oranges and where you got them. If you have really sweet oranges, you may need to add more water to this, and if you have oranges that are less sweet you may need less water. So, I'd advise starting with the 4 cups, tasting a little spoonful and then adding the last 1 cup, then tasting, and then if you need more water for you likeness, go in ½ cup increments until you get the amount of sweetness you desire. This is also a great recipe to make with oranges that are not sweet enough to eat!
  • I use organic cane sugar in this recipe. I highly recommend using organic cane sugar here as it is not as sweet as conventional granulated white sugar and I think it makes for a much better tasting and healthier drink.
  • I like to add fresh orange slices into the pitcher and the glasses for serving. This is optional, but I feel like adding this to the pitcher enhances the flavor over the few days that it may sit in the fridge.
  • For a sparkling option, add in sparkling water instead of still after the simple syrup and oranges are juiced.

How to Make Homemade Orangeade

simple syrup being stirred in a small pot on the stovetop.
  1. In a small saucepan, add ½ cup of water and the cane sugar. Put over medium heat and stir with a spatula or whisk until the sugar is completely dissolved. Remove from heat.
cut oranges on a wood cutting board on a white countertop.
  1. Juice the oranges until you have 1 1/4 cups fresh orange juice.
simple syrup and orange juice in a glass pitcher on a white kitchen countertop.
  1. Add the orange juice and simple syrup into a large pitcher.
homemade orangeade in a glass pitcher on a white kitchen countertop.
  1. Add in the remaining 5 cups of water and stir to combine completely. Slice the additional orange, and place slices in the pitcher or in the glasses for serving.
homemade orangeade in a glass pitcher on a white marble counter with fresh oranges.

Ways to Enjoy

Recipe FAQ's

What's the difference between orange juice and orangeade?

Orange juice is just the juice that is juiced from fresh oranges. Orangeade is a combination of that juice along with a sweetener. I make a simple syrup using organic cane sugar and water. I combine that with the fresh orange juice and water to create an orangeade drink.

How long does homemade orangeade last?

This will last in the fridge for up to a week.

homemade orangeade in a mason jar on a marble countertop with fresh oranges.

More Orange Recipes to Try

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homemade orangeade in a mason jar on a marble countertop with fresh oranges.

Homemade Orangeade

Mimi Council
If you like lemonade, then you will this Homemade Orangeade! Made with fresh oranges, this is a drink you'll want to make all year long!
5 from 1 vote
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 5 minutes
Total Time 10 minutes
Course Drink
Cuisine American
Makes 8 servings
Calories 62 kcal

Equipment

  • Digital Food Scale
  • Small Pot
  • Whisk
  • Pitcher

Ingredients
 
 

  • 113 grams cane sugar
  • 5 ½ cup water
  • 1 ¼ cups fresh orange juice (4 to 6 oranges depending on size)
  • 1 orange (for topping)

Instructions
 

  • In a small saucepan, add ½ cup of water and the cane sugar. Put over medium heat and stir with a spatula or whisk until the sugar is completely dissolved. Remove from the heat.
  • Juice the oranges until you have 1 1/4 cups fresh orange juice.
  • Add the orange juice and simple syrup into a large pitcher.
  • Add in the remaining 5 cups of water and stir to combine completely.
  • Slice the additional orange, and place slices in the pitcher or in the glasses for serving.

Video

YouTube video

Notes

Tips
  • All fresh oranges will taste a little different. Some may be sweeter, some may be more tart, it just depends on the oranges and where you got them. If you have really sweet oranges, you may need to add more water to this, and if you have oranges that are less sweet you may need less water. So, I'd advise starting with the 4 cups, tasting a little spoonful and then adding the last 1 cup, then tasting, and then if you need more water for you likeness, go in ½ cup increments until you get the amount of sweetness you desire. This is also a great recipe to make with oranges that are not sweet enough to eat!
  • I use organic cane sugar in this recipe. I highly recommend using organic cane sugar here as it is not as sweet as conventional granulated white sugar and I think it makes for a much better tasting and healthier drink.
  • I like to add fresh orange slices into the pitcher and the glasses for serving. This is optional, but I feel like adding this to the pitcher enhances the flavor over the few days that it may sit in the fridge.
  • For a sparkling option, add in sparkling water instead of still after the simple syrup and oranges are juiced.
High Altitude — Follow the recipe as noted.

Nutrition

Calories: 62kcalCarbohydrates: 16gProtein: 0.2gFat: 0.1gSaturated Fat: 0.003gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.004gMonounsaturated Fat: 0.004gSodium: 8mgPotassium: 30mgFiber: 0.4gSugar: 16gVitamin A: 37IUVitamin C: 9mgCalcium: 12mgIron: 0.02mg
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4 responses to “Homemade Orangeade”

  1. Organic home-made Orangeade is fabulous. Thank you 😊

  2. Mimi Council says:

    5 stars
    We make this all the time, so good!

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