15 Best Lemonade Recipes for Summertime

Old-Fashioned Lemonade

A sweet-tart lemonade is a traditional part of my Memorial Day and Fourth of July menus. Folks can’t get enough of the fresh-squeezed flavor in this recipe. —Tammi Simpson, Greensburg, Kentucky

Fresh Peach Lemonade

Looking for a new twist on lemonade? Fresh peaches lend a fruity flavor to this summertime must-have. —Joan Hallford, North Richland Hills, Texas

Blackberry Lemonade

Here’s a special drink that’s perfect when blackberries are in season. It has a tangy, refreshing flavor. —Rich Murray, Nevada, Missouri

Strawberry Watermelon Lemonade

The nutrition department at my local hospital inspired me to create this refreshing summer sipper. I tweaked their recipe slightly to create this drink full of sweet-tart flavor. —Dawn Lowenstein, Huntingdon Valley, Pennsylvania

Raspberry Lemonade Concentrate

Here’s a concentrate that allows you to enjoy a refreshing summer beverage any time of year. Sweet raspberries balance the tartness from lemons. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Lemon Mint Spritzer

Cool down with this refreshing drink. It’s wonderful after a long day or during a backyard barbecue. —Laura Nix, Ellijay, Georgia

Peach-Basil Lemonade Slush

This chilly slush with peaches, lemon juice and garden-fresh basil is hands-down the best lemonade ever. It tastes just like summer. —Dana Hinck, Pensacola, Florida

Spiked Lemonade

Rum gives a tropical addition to this fabulous homemade lemonade. If you have vodka on hand, try that instead of the rum. —Susan Hein, Burlington, Wisconsin.

Rhubarb Lemonade Slush

My family loves rhubarb, and this is such a fun way to enjoy it. It’s nice to have in the freezer and bring out when guests drop by. Even people who aren’t crazy about rhubarb enjoy it. —Cathie Beard, Philomath, Oregon

Blackberry Beer Cocktail

This refreshing hard lemonade has a mild alcohol flavor; the beer adds just enough fizz to dance on your tongue as you sip. Sorry, adults only! —Ginger Sullivan, Cutler Bay, Florida

Kentucky Lemonade

Mint and bourbon give this drink a bit of a Kentucky kick, and ginger ale makes it a fizzy party punch. —Cathy Justus, Taylor, Michigan

Orange Lemonade

This juice is a favorite at our place. I'll often double the batch and send a jar next door to my mother-in-law! I was looking for a way to sweeten lemonade without using more sugar when I came up with the recipe. —Wendy Masters, Grand Valley, Ontario

Aunt Frances' Lemonade

My sister and I spent a week each summer with our Aunt Frances, who always had this thirst-quenching lemonade in a stoneware crock in her refrigerator. It makes a refreshing drink after a hot day of running around. —Debbie Reinhart, New Cumberland, Pennsylvania

Sparkling Kiwi Lemonade

Keep some kiwi ice cubes in the freezer so they’re ready whenever you crave a tall glass of this dressed-up summertime favorite. —Emily Seidel, Ainsworth, Nebraska

Red, White and Blue Frozen Lemonade

This patriotic drink is as pretty as it is delicious. With cherries, blueberries and lemon juice, we created a striped lemonade that is perfect for a Fourth of July celebration. —Shawn Carleton, San Diego, California

Lemonade Recipe FAQ

What is the formula for lemonade?

In the most basic sense, lemonade is made with sugar, water and lemon juice. How much of each depends on personal preference. Typically, you start by making a basic simple syrup with equal parts water and sugar. (It’s the same stuff you’d use in cocktails like a mint julep.) Once you’ve made the syrup, add water and lemon juice to suit your tastes. The more lemon juice you use, the more tart your lemonade will be.

Should you add citric acid to lemonade?

It’s completely up to you. Our recipes don’t call for it—just plain ol’ fresh-squeezed lemon juice. Natural lemon juice has citric acid in it, but if you’re looking for even more tartness, adding one to two tablespoons of citric acid will do the trick. You can find the organic compound in grocery stores or online.