The Master Cleanse Recipe for Lemonade

Making the master cleanse recipe for lemonade is super easy. It’s one of the things I really loved about this diet. It was super quick, no fancy ingredients or complicated recipes. There are just 4 ingredients: water, lemons, Grade B maple syrup and cayenne pepper.

You do need to make the lemonade fresh every day, but you don’t need to make each glass one at a time. That’s just crazy. I found it easiest to make a batch at a time – enough for about one day. Here is how to make a pitcher. The single serving size will be included at the end of the article for your convenience.

One word of caution, the cayenne pepper will get stronger the longer it sits in the mixture. If you don’t like it too spicy, you may add the cayenne just before serving.

The Master Cleanse Lemonade Recipe (Pitcher)

Ingredients

60 ounces filtered water
8 Tablespoons Fresh squeezed lemon juice (about 3 regular lemons or 4 organic)
1/2 cup Tablespoons Grade B Maple Sryup
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper (or to taste)

Directions

Squeeze the lemon juice directly into a large pitcher (about 2 quarts).
Add the maple syrup and cayenne pepper. It’s easiest to add this first, so the lemonade blends when you add the water.
Fill the pitcher with filtered water (room temperature is best).
Mix well and serve.

Here is a bit more about the ingredients, and tips to help prepare the master cleanse lemonade recipe.

The Lemons

Should I buy organic lemons

Yes. If they are available organic lemons should be used. Remember that you are doing a cleanse and organic lemons are grown without any pesticides or chemicals.

How much juice is in 1 lemon?

One lemon will typically make about 3 tablespoons of lemon juice. However organic lemons tend to be a little smaller. So if you are using organic lemons, you may only get 2 tablespoons of juice.

What is the easiest way to squeeze a lemon?

OK – so squeezing a lemon isn’t all that hard, but lemons can be messy. With this recipe you will be squeezing about 40 lemons, so you may as well use some of our chef’s tricks to make it easier.

The easiest way to squeeze a lemon is to first roll it back and forth across the counter using the palm of your hand. Do this several times and the juice will pour right out. This is a way of pre-squeezing the lemon before you cut it and make a mess. Press down when you are rolling the lemons so you break up as much of the membranes ahead of time.

Next cut it directly in half and pluck out the larger seeds. Hold the lemon over the glass or water pitcher and squeeze. Don’t worry if you get a few lemon seeds in the glass, the light one will float to the top and you can scoop them out with a spoon. The others will fall to the bottom and can be discarded when you are done.

The Maple Syrup

What is the difference between Grade A & Grade B Syrup?

There is much confusion of the grades of maple syrup. Grade A maple syrup is simply harvested in the beginning of the season. It is lighter in flavor and has been a favorite due to it’s sweeter taste. Grade B is darker and richer in flavor. It is harvested at the end of the season just before the trees go to bud. Grade B maple syrup has been used in more recipes and is often known a cooking grade maple syrup.

Both types of maple syrup actually have the same sugar content and nutrients. Pure maple syrup has many health benefits and contains minerals such as potassium, magnesium, and iron. It also helps with digestion and the circulatory system. Deep Mountain Maple has an excellent article on Maple Facts and Fictions which may help to clear up some of the confusion.

The really important part is to purchase PURE, ORGANIC maple syrup. This is why Grade B is specified in the diet. Grade B is much less popular and has been left pure in almost all commercially available bottles. You will find all varieties of Grade A maple syrup like butter or blueberry flavored varieties. Those are not to be used on the Master Cleanse program. To keep with the spirit of the original program I stick with the grade B organic maple syrup.

Where can I buy Grade B Maple Syrup?

Some good sources to buy Grade B maple syrup can be found at many natural grocery stores. Whole Foods and Trader Joe’s are good options. You may also find it at your local farmer’s market or other health food. store.

If you can’t find it locally, you can also buy it online. Believe it or not, Amazon even carries it (they have everything these days!) The master cleanse has become so popular, they actually carry a whole kit designed especially for the Master cleanse!.

The Water

Do I need to use filtered water?

If at all possible, yes using filtered water is best. When you are doing a cleanse, we want keep all possible contaminants to a minimum. Depending on your location, regular tap water can contain high amounts of metals, chemicals, iron, chlorine and other contaminants.

If you aren’t ready to run out and install a water filter on all your faucets, consider getting a filtered water pitcher for your master cleanse. You will be surprised what a difference it makes.

The Environmental Water Group has a national database where you can type in your zip code and find out exactly what could be lurking in your tap water. Click here to find out what’s in your water.

The Cayenne Pepper

How does the Cayenne Pepper help the Cleanse?

Cayenne pepper has a surprising number of health benefits. Here are the top 5 which help withe the Master Cleanse.

Cayenne pepper is known as an anti-cold remedy. It works by breaking up the mucus and congestion which is very helpful during a cleanse.
Cayenne pepper can boost your metabolism. Cayenne heats up the body and helps it burn more fat while curbing the appetite in the process.
Cayenne pepper aids in digestion. It stimulates the digestive tract and helps your body metabolize food and toxins quicker.
Supports the detox process by making us sweat and also acts as a stimulant to the circulatory system. This means it gets your blood pumping, which speeds up the detox process
Cayenne pepper can calm an upset stomach and help with diarrhea which is unfortunately very common while your on a cleanse.

And as promised, here is the recipe for a single serving.

The Master Cleanse Lemonade Recipe (Single Serving)