
By Becky Hardin
Published May 19, 2023

This lemonade cleanse is my take on the original Master Cleanse recipe. It’s the perfect way to kickstart my New Year’s resolution to get healthier. This warm lemon detox water tastes great, is super simple. I use it to get you ready for Summer any time of year!

What’s in This Lemonade Cleanse Recipe?
My lemonade cleanse is inspired by the Master Cleanse recipe but with a few adjustments. This homemade lemon detox water is just as healthy but tastes even better!
- Lemon Juice: High in vitamin C, antioxidants, and citric acid, which can help stimulate digestion, support liver function, and aid in the elimination of toxins from the body.
- Honey: A natural sweetener that provides the body with the necessary energy during the fast. It is also rich in vitamins and minerals, including calcium, copper, iron, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, potassium, and zinc.
- Cayenne Pepper: Contains capsaicin, which has been shown to have anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving properties. It also helps to boost metabolism and improve circulation.
- Ground Ginger: High in antioxidants and helps settle the stomach from the acidic lemon juice.
- Hot Water: Essential for hydration and helps to flush out toxins from the body.
It is recommended that you consult a healthcare professional before starting any new diet or fasting regimen.
The Original Master Cleanse Recipe
This lemon detox water is a fun take on the Master Cleanse. I made a few tweaks to the others I saw out there, and I think this one tastes a lot better. I can actually enjoy drinking it instead of just forcing it down!
If you’re looking to make the true Master Cleanse recipe, for each serving, you’ll need 10 ounces of water, 2 tablespoons of lemon juice, 2 tablespoons of maple syrup, and 1 teaspoon of cayenne pepper.

How to Store and Reheat
Store leftover detox lemonade in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the microwave to warm before enjoying.

Reintroducing Solid Foods
This lemonade cleanse is designed to be consumed during a period of fasting; however, I also enjoy it as part of a balanced diet. If you do choose to fast, you’ll want to add solid foods back in slowly so as not to upset your stomach too much.
As you begin to reintroduce solid foods to your diet at the end of the cleanse, start by adding liquids like orange juice or vegetable broth. After a day or two, you can resume eating fruits , vegetables, and salads.
I like to start with a simple grilled peach salad or Mandarin orange salad . Finally, you can begin to reintroduce healthy solid foods. I recommend cabbage soup , Mexican zucchini boats , or vegetable stir fry .
5-Star Review
“Great advice and I like the change from syrup to using honey. Honey is a more healthy substitute.” -Sharon Greene
Ingredients1x2x3x
- ▢ 1 cup lemon juice (from about 8 lemons)
- ▢ 2 tablespoons honey
- ▢ ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- ▢ ¼ teaspoon ground ginger
- ▢ 4 cups hot water
Video
Instructions
- In a mug, combine the lemon juice, honey, and spices. Stir well to combine as much as possible. 1 cup lemon juice, 2 tablespoons honey, ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper, ¼ teaspoon ground ginger
- Pour hot water into four separate glasses, about 1 cup each. 4 cups hot water
- Top each with ¼ of the lemon mixture, making 4 drinks total.
Becky’s Tips
- To make 1 mug: Use ¼ cup lemon juice, ½ tablespoon honey, a pinch each of cayenne and ground ginger, and 1 cup hot water.
- Disclaimer: I am not a medical professional and cannot offer medical advice. Please consult your doctor before beginning a new diet or fasting regimen.
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
How to Make A Detox Drink Step by Step
Mix the Lemon, Honey, and Spices: In a mug, combine 1 cup of lemon juice, 2 tablespoons of honey, ¼ teaspoon of cayenne pepper, and ¼ teaspoon of ground ginger. Stir well to combine as much as possible.

Boil the Water: Pour hot water into four separate glasses, about 1 cup each.

Mix the Water and Lemon: Top each with ¼ of the lemon mixture, making 4 drinks total.

Not quite! The Master Cleanse is very specific about each ingredient and its purpose. I personally was not so much a fan of the taste, though, so I created my own recipe inspired by the Master Cleanse. I swapped the maple syrup for honey and added in some spicy ground ginger.
It’s recommended to do the Master Cleanse over a period of 7-10 days. This lemonade is perfect for a full cleanse or just as a detox from a heavy day of eating. It’s really up to you how you make this work as part of your diet.
If you’re doing a full cleanse, you can have 6-12 glasses of this lemonade per day. If you’re more like me, feel free to enjoy this as a refreshing drink throughout the day.
More Healthy Drink Recipes We Love
- Bulletproof Coffee
- Orange Ginger Shot
- Hot Toddy
- Skinny Pineapple Sweet Tea

Lemonade Cleanse (Master Cleanse Recipe)
Ingredients
- 1 cup lemon juice (from about 8 lemons)
- 2 tablespoons honey
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- ¼ teaspoon ground ginger
- 4 cups hot water
Instructions
- In a mug, combine the lemon juice, honey, and spices. Stir well to combine as much as possible. 1 cup lemon juice, 2 tablespoons honey, ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper, ¼ teaspoon ground ginger
- Pour hot water into four separate glasses, about 1 cup each. 4 cups hot water
- Top each with ¼ of the lemon mixture, making 4 drinks total.
Video
Notes
- To make 1 mug: Use ¼ cup lemon juice, ½ tablespoon honey, a pinch each of cayenne and ground ginger, and 1 cup hot water.
- Disclaimer: I am not a medical professional and cannot offer medical advice. Please consult your doctor before beginning a new diet or fasting regimen.
Nutrition

By Becky Hardin
Published Jul 12, 2017

This Essential Grocery List is an absolute life saver for my family on the busy weeks. When I started this journey to learn how to cook, I quickly realized that the first step in cooking is having staple ingredients on hand. I want to avoid having to run out to the grocery store every single time I prepare a new recipe. Having a well-stocked pantry has made my life in the kitchen so much simpler, because when it’s time to cook, I have what I need.

Essential Grocery List
It’s so helpful to have a basic grocery list to help me remember which foods to buy at the store. This food shopping list is my go-to!
It’s better to stock up on things like grains, seasonings and spices, baking essentials, oils, condiments, canned and frozen foods, etc. so I can just grab them when I need them. These things have a long shelf life , so I keep them in my kitchen for convenience.
However, I do have to go to the supermarket sometimes, and there’s a way to make that trip easy and hassle-free: I keep a grocery list! If I go in blindly, I’ll leave with things I don’t need, and nothing that actually helps me prepare a good meal.
In the list below, I’ve compiled everything I always have on my stock-up grocery list.
I’ve got you covered! I created an easy grocery list filled with all of the essentials. Plus there’s a free printable version that you can take with you to the grocery store. It has everything you need to stock your pantry, your freezer, and your refrigerator.

Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List
What to Buy at the Grocery Store
This is the perfect grocery list filled with all the basics and essentials. It should help get you going if you’re new to cooking, or if you’re just left staring helplessly at an empty pantry and don’t know how to fill it.
When I first started cooking, things could seem overwhelming. I quickly realized that they more prepared I could be, the more confident I felt. If you already have the basics in your kitchen, then you can shop stress-free.
So print out our easy grocery list, stock up your pantry and fridge, and you’ll be cooking in no time!
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List for the perfectly stocked pantry and freezer!
Fresh Produce
- Apples
- Bananas
- Strawberries
- Avocados
- Bell Peppers
- Carrots
- Broccoli
- Garlic
- Lemons/Limes
- Onion
- Parsley
- Cilantro
- Basil
- Potatoes
- Spinach
- Tomatoes
GRAINS
- Breadcrumbs
- Pasta
- Quinoa
- Rice
- Sandwich Bread
- Tortillas
MEAT/PROTEIN
- Chicken
- Eggs
- Ground Beef
- Sliced Turkey
- Lunch Meat
DAIRY
- Butter
- Sliced Cheese
- Shredded Cheese
- Milk
- Sour Cream
- Greek Yogurt
BAKING GOODS
- Baking powder
- Baking Soda
- Granulated Sugar
- Brown Sugar
- Flour
- Honey
- Vanilla Extract
- Dry Yeast
- Chocolate Chips
- Cocoa Powder
- Powdered Sugar
FREEZER
- Fruit and Berries
- Frozen Veggies (Corn, Peas, Broccoli, etc)
- Juice Concentrate
- Pizza or Other Convenience Meals
- Pie Crust
- Cookie Dough
CANNED/DRIED GOODS
- Chicken stock/broth
- Salsa
- Diced Tomatoes
- Jam/Jelly
- Peanut Butter
- Pasta Sauce
- Beans (Black Beans, Chickpeas, Baked Beans, etc)
- Soups
- Tuna
- Green Chiles
- Canned Veggies
- Coffee or Tea
Get more details on the best non-perishable and pantry foods
CONDIMENTS/SPICES
- Black Pepper
- Chili Powder
- Cinnamon
- Crushed Red Pepper
- Cumin
- Garlic Powder
- Ketchup
- Mustard
- Mayo
- Nutmeg
- Paprika
- Salt (Course Sea Salt and Kosher Salt)
- Soy Sauce
- Steak Sauce
- Hot Sauce/ Buffalo Sauce
- Salad Dressings
OILS/VINEGARS
- Apple cider vinegar
- Balsamic vinegar
- Coconut Oil
- Olive Oil
- Vegetable/Canola Oil
- Red Wine Vinegar
- White Vinegar
- Cooking Wine
- White Wine Vinegar
SNACKS
- Crackers
- Nuts
- Quick Oats
- Popcorn
- Tortilla Chips
- Cereal
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List for the perfectly stocked pantry and freezer!

Click ☝🏻 for my FREE Grocery List Printable!
I hope this essential grocery list can help you buy what you need and make your home cooking so much easier!
Stock Your Kitchen
Find more ideas for your grocery list, stock up your kitchen, and print more cooking guides and charts to keep handy!

Non-Perishable Foods to Stock Up On

Frozen Vegetables to Stock Up On (and Recipes to Make)

Ultimate List of Cooking Herbs for Your Kitchen

Ultimate List of Cooking Spices for Your Kitchen

Cooking Oil 101: Types of Cooking Oils to Use

26 Types of Pasta and When to Use Them

What Fruits and Vegetables are in Season?

Meat Temperature Chart (Free Printable)

How to Meal Prep (Guide for Beginners)

Basic Cooking Measurements & Kitchen Conversion Chart
