While any drink that is cool and refreshing is ideal for a hot summer’s day, lemonade is one of those drinks that serves as the ultimate cool down.
One of the best things about this classic is that you can make it in so many different ways.
You can opt for a more traditional concoction that only uses lemon as the main ingredient, use less sugar for a healthier version or even opt for a fancier take with gourmet flavors such as Peach Basil.
Because we know that comfort is hard to come by in 90°+ weather, we’ve compiled this list of lemonade ingredients that will help you cool off during the dog days of summer.
This post is inspired by National Lemonade Day - Which takes place annually on August 20th. The holiday came onto the scene in 2007; established by its founder Michael Holthouse, who wanted to use the holiday as a day to teach kids about entrepreneurship through the tried-and-true lemonade stand business model.
Learn more about Lemonade Day here!
Got any other favorites? Feel free to let us know in the comments below.
1. The Classic - Homemade Lemonade Recipe
Image Source: Delicious Meets Healthy
What would a list of lemonade recipes be if we didn’t mention the original?
This simple homemade lemonade recipe from Delicious Meets Healthy strikes the perfect balance of lemon flavors.
It is neither too sweet or too bitter, and doesn’t require cooking a simple syrup to prepare the lemonade. (A simple syrup is often used to help sugar dissolve in water prior to adding any other ingredients. Often times, without this process, the sugar will sink to the bottom instead of mixing into the water; throwing off the flavor of the lemonade.)
It includes a “perfect” ratio of ingredients, according to blog owner Neli - which is 8 – 2 – 8 (8 lemons, 2 cups sugar, 8 cups water). Don’t forget a few lemons can be sliced for garnish!
Want to try your hand at another classic lemonade recipe? Check out this old-fashioned version from All Recipes that got 5/5 stars!
2. Raspberry Lemonade
Image Source: A Sweet Pea Chef
If you cut back on sugar, especially sweeteners and other over-processed sugars, try this flavored lemonade from A Sweet Pea Chef.
Several flavored versions are included in her Homemade Lemonade + 4 Easy Lemonade Recipes, including Strawberry, Blueberry, Peach and Raspberry.
What makes her lemonade different? Instead of sugar or corn syrup, she uses raw honey as the base of a simple syrup.
Also, by relying on fruits, which have plenty of their own natural flavors, she allows a more wholesome sweetness to take center stage in this drink.
Depending on your dietary restrictions and lifestyles she suggest you may alternately use (pure) maple syrup, coconut sugar, etc.
Here is a list of 6 other sugar substitutes which you might use in your lemonade.
3. Sparkling Kiwi Lemonade
Image Source: Sparkling Kiwi Lemonade
Kiwi, Lemonade, and Sparkling Water?
This unlikely trifecta is a modern take on the classic.
In addition to the kiwi which is frozen in ice cubes, kiwi is also used as a puree in the drink itself; which also stars 1 liter of carbonated, ¾ cups of freshly-squeezed lemon juice, and ¾ cups of sugar.
Are you up for being a little more adventurous with your lemonade flavors? Try your hand at making these awesome spin-offs by Spoon University - Which include lemonade recipes which use carrot, hot honey ginger, lavender and thyme, roasted peach and many more flavors.
4. Berry Lemonade Popsicles
Image Source: Creme De La Crumb
The best thing about lemonade is that it makes a great drink in all sorts of temperatures. It is especially nice when it is near-frozen. This makes it a great flavor to add to sorbets, ice creams and other hot weather treat (Because, let’s face it, room temperature lemonade is not so great in the summer).
For all of those days that you’re craving a frozen treat, Creme De La Crumb’s Berry Lemonade Popsicles have got you covered with popsicles that are low on sugar, and thus will satisfy your thirsty palette without unnecessary sweetness.
If you do crave something a bit sweeter, try Courtney’s Sweets Lemonade Popsicle Recipe.
5. Pink Lemonade Sorbet
Image Source: Sugar and Soul
Continuing along with our frozen theme, sorbets are another delectable cold treat to have in the summer.
The best thing about this iced lemonade recipe is that it is completely no-churn; meaning that, while it does require some manual work, you don’t need a fancy ice cream maker in order to make it.
The Ingredients include: 2 ¾ cups of water, 1 ½ cups of granulated sugar, ½ cup of pink lemonade powdered mix, 1 cup of lemon juice (fresh, preferably), 2 tbs of fresh lemon zest.
For 2 summer favorites in one, try this Lemonade Iced Tea Sorbet from My Recipes, or this Raspberry Lemonade Sorbet from Food52.
6. Matcha Lemonade
Image Source: Spook Fork Bacon
This one’s new to us. But it’s also one combination we can’t resist.
Inspired by Starbuck’s Matcha Lemonade, which uses their Teavana brand matcha green tea, one of the best things about this lemonade recipe is that it can be taken hot or old.
Also check out Oh How Civilized’s Refreshing Matcha Lemonade for another twist on the classic.
7. Pumpkin Spice Lemonade
Image Source: Raepublic
Just in time for the fall, our next unlikely pairing is Pumpkin Spice and Lemonade.
To amp up your lemonade with a little spice, add 2 tablespoons of pumpkin puree, and a dash of nutmeg and cinnamon (More or less depending on your preference).
While there aren’t a lot of fall versions of lemonade out there, you can try your hand at this Pumpkin Spice Lemonade by Lhlemonade or Well and Full’s Vermont Maple Lemonade recipe.
8. Pomegranate Lemonade
Image Source: Drizzle and Dip
Not to be outdone by peach, raspberry and many of the other flavored lemonades, this pomegranate lemonade by Drizzle and Dip adds a little something extra.
One of the best parts of this recipe is that it includes the option to infuse herbs, such as thyme, into the syrup base.
Of course, whatever herb you choose will enhance the sweet flavors in the lemonade; So make sure you choose flavors that will complement one another.
If you need more ideas for pomegranate lemonade recipes, try this handcrafted pomegranate lemonade by From The Grapevine or this Sparkling Pomegranate Lemonade.
9. Pineapple Mango Lemonade
Image Source: Cooking Classy
This divine tropical pineapple mango lemonade by Cooking Classy is the perfect combination of an island colada (Which would also make a great flavor for a lemonade) meets lemon water.
Once again, any sugar of your preference can be added as a sweetener
10. Mix of 8 Lemonade Flavors
Image Source: Bless This Mess
Bless This Mess has also compiled 8 different lemonade flavors, with each one as delectable as the next.
The flavors included in this blog are Tropical, Strawberry Rhubarb, Blackberry, Watermelon, Strawberry, Peach, Raspberry, and Original.
Once again, the steps include making the simple syrup in a small saucepan using a water and sugar (or sugar substitute) mixture of your own choosing, and then adding 1 cup of juice from a lemon.
Once finished, add the two together and voila!
It’s the most flavorful lemonade recipe yet!
Well, there you have it!
Our list of 10 lemonade recipes to quench your thirst during the summer includes both classic lemonade flavors and new favorites.
There’s absolutely no reason you can’t have both!
Whether it’s green tea, acai, avocado, cranberries, kombucha or any other flavor, traditional or new, we are positive that there is a lemonade flavor out there for everyone.
Lemonade is so versatile that it can be added to almost anything in a way that will always enhance its flavor. All it takes is a little experimentation to find it.
A general rule of thumb is if it’s a flavor you already love, then it won’t be too hard to find a way to incorporate as a flavor in your lemonade.
If you’re not sure where to begin, simply start with regular lemonade and then try other flavors as you get around to them.
For National Lemonade Day, in addition to making lemonade, you might consider also mentoring a kid about entrepreneurship, using lemonade as an analogy.
It is one of the easiest ways to pass business skills onto the next generation. We guarantee that your kids will start generating their own ideas about how they can optimize the flavor, cost and any other price point of their lemonade.
This will help them to gain valuable skills that they will be able to reference for a lifetime.
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