Are you a fan of classic lemonade but looking to switch things up? Our pink lemonade is the answer! With just the right amount of sweetness and a burst of berry flavor, it's a refreshing twist on a timeless favorite. This fun and colorful drink uses fresh ingredients, is customizable, and comes together in minutes.
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Homemade lemonade is a refreshing, delicious, and healthy drink that is perfect for any occasion, especially during Summer for barbecues, picnics, potlucks, camping trips, hiking, and similar activities.
This is our best recipe with a burst of berries, giving it a gorgeous pink hue and unique flavor.
Of course, this is the part that you can modify to suit your and your family's palate.
Why make pink lemonade from scratch
- Healthier: it allows you to control the ingredients that go into it. You can use fresh, natural ingredients and avoid artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives found in store-bought lemonade.
- Cost-effective: making your own pink lemonade can be much cheaper than buying pre-made drinks, especially if you already have lemons and sugar in your pantry.
- Customizable: you can adjust the sweetness and tartness to your liking. And the type of berries you use.
- Easy to make: it's a simple process that requires few ingredients and tools. It's a great way to beat the heat on a hot summer day.
What is pink lemonade made from?
Lemonade is made by mixing freshly squeezed lemon juice, sugar, and water.
To make it pink, you add berries, whole and crushed. Their juices tint the lemonade immediately and add flavor.
It's typically chilled and served over ice.
Ingredients
- Lemon juice: freshly squeezed.
- Lemon slices: from fresh lemons, to serve.
- White granulated sugar.
- Berries: whole and crushed. I use a mix of raspberries, strawberries, and blueberries.
- Cold water: use regular water with ice cubes or make the lemonade ahead so it has time to chill in the fridge before serving.
See the recipe card towards the end of this post for quantities.
Variations & substitutions
Feel free to experiment with different ingredients and flavors to create your own unique homemade lemonade recipe.
- Mint: add chopped fresh mint leaves to your lemonade for a refreshing and cooling flavor.
- Hibiscus: infuse your lemonade with hibiscus tea for a floral and slightly tart flavor.
- Ginger: add fresh ginger to your lemonade for a spicy and zesty kick.
- Honey, maple syrup, or agave: substitute the sugar in your lemonade with another syrup for a more natural and healthier sweetener.
How to make pink lemonade
Cut lemon slices to place in the pitcher and the glasses as garnishes before serving.
Add lemon juice to the pitcher with lemon slices, ice cubes, and sugar syrup.
Add whole and crushed berries and stir until it turns pink. Taste and adjust for sweetness or tartness.
Serve in glasses with ice cubes and lemon slices.
Vintage Kitchen tip: make sure you don't add all the lemon juice and syrup from the start in case your pitcher is not large enough or if it's your first time and you don't know how tart or sweet you want it. That way, you can adjust.
Storage
Pink lemonade can last for up to 5-7 days if stored properly in the refrigerator.
However, its freshness and flavor will gradually decline over time. By following these tips, you can extend the shelf life of your lemon drink.
- Store it in an airtight container: transfer your lemonade from the pitcher to a clean container with a tight-fitting lid or cover.
- Keep it refrigerated: it should be in the refrigerator at 40°F (4°C) or below. This will help prevent bacterial growth and keep it fresh.
- Check for signs of spoilage: If your lemonade or fruit looks cloudy, has an off odor or taste, or shows signs of mold, discard it immediately.
Kitchen notes
- Organization: read the recipe first and ensure you have ingredients at the correct temperatures, equipment, and enough workspace. This will make the process so much easier!
- Simple sugar syrup: I like it much better than using sugar because the latter sometimes doesn't dissolve completely or you have to stir frequently. Making the syrup takes about 5 minutes and it keeps in the fridge almost indefinitely. Always in a jar with a tight-fitting lid.
- Freezing lemonade: it keeps for a month.
- Stir before serving: The ingredients can settle at the bottom of the jar or pitcher over time. Give it a good stir before serving to distribute the ingredients evenly.
How many lemons do I need to make homemade lemonade?
This will depend on the size of your lemons and how tart you want your lemonade to be. As a general rule, you'll need about 6 to 8 large lemons to make 1 cup of fresh lemon juice.
How much sugar should I use in homemade lemonade?
This will depend on your personal taste preferences. As a starting point, you can use ½ cup of sugar for every 3 cups of water. You can adjust the sweetness to your liking by adding more or less sugar.
Can I use bottled lemon juice instead of fresh lemon juice?
While you can use bottled lemon juice, it won't have the same fresh flavor as using freshly squeezed lemon juice. If you do use bottled juice, be sure to read the label to make sure it doesn't contain any added sugar or preservatives.
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Pink Lemonade
Are you a fan of classic lemonade but looking to switch things up? Our pink lemonade is the answer! With just the right amount of sweetness and a burst of berry flavor, it's a refreshing twist on a timeless favorite. This fun and colorful drink uses fresh ingredients, is customizable, and comes together in minutes.
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 6 glasses
Ingredients
- 1 cup fresh lemon juice (6 to 8 lemons)
- ¾ cup sugar (see Notes below if you like very sweet lemonade)
- ¾ cup water, for the sugar syrup
- 1 cup fresh berries
- 2-3 cups cold water (for the lemonade)
- Ice cubes
- Lemon slices and mint leaves (optional), for serving
Instructions
- Process ⅓ of the berries in a small blender or mash in a bowl with a fork (it will be chunky).
- For the syrup combine the sugar and 1 cup of water in a medium saucepan.
- Heat over medium heat, stirring occasionally.
- Remove from heat when it starts to boil, and let the syrup cool to room temperature. The sugar will have dissolved, and you'll have a clear, simple syrup. You can store it in a jar with a tight-fitting lid and keep it in the fridge almost indefinitely.
- Juice lemons to make 1 cup. You might find an electric citrus juicer handy for this task.
- Combine ¾ cup of lemon juice, ½ cup of cold syrup, 2 cups of cold water, and a cup of ice cubes in a large pitcher (about 6 cup capacity).
- Add the fresh and mashed berries and stir until you get a pink hue.
- Taste and adjust to your palate. I use the whole amount of lemon juice and syrup, but the first time it's better if you mix less of each and then adjust. You might want more sweetness and less lemon or the other way around.
- If not using ice cubes, chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes.
- Pour into glasses with a few ice cubes and lemon slices.
Notes
- Simple sugar syrup: I like it much better than using sugar because the latter sometimes doesn't dissolve completely or you have to stir frequently. Making the syrup takes about 5 minutes and keeps in the fridge almost indefinitely. Always in a jar with a tight-fitting lid.
- Berries: you can use strawberry or raspberry juice and no whole berries.
- Sweeter lemonade: if you generally like very sweet drinks, use 1 cup of sugar with 1 cup of water to make the syrup. Don't add it all at once, but you'll have extra if you need to add more.
- Freezing lemonade: it keeps for a month.
- Stir before serving: The ingredients can settle at the bottom of the jar or pitcher over time. Give it a good stir before serving to distribute the ingredients evenly.
- Store it in an airtight container: transfer your lemonade from the pitcher to a clean container with a tight-fitting lid or cover.
- Keep it refrigerated: it should be in the refrigerator at 40°F (4°C) or below. This will help prevent bacterial growth and keep it fresh.
- Check for signs of spoilage: If your lemonade looks cloudy, has an off odor or taste, or shows signs of mold, discard it immediately.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Category: Drinks
- Method: Mixing
- Cuisine: International
Keywords: pink lemonade
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