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This pink lemonade is the prettiest, most refreshing summer sipper, with the perfect sweet-tart balance and a gorgeous rosy hue from a splash of grenadine. I whipped up a big pitcher on a sweltering July afternoon for a backyard hangout, and Maddie and Lizzie declared it the best lemonade ever. If you love a cool, fruity drink like our cherry limeade, this one belongs at every cookout.
Fresh-squeezed lemon juice, a simple homemade syrup, and a touch of grenadine come together into the most thirst-quenching pink lemonade.
Pink Lemonade Quick Look
- 🕒 Prep Time: 8 minutes
- 🌡️ Cook Time: 5 minutes
- ⏳ Total Time: 2 hours 13 minutes (with chilling)
- 🍽️ Serving: 4 servings
- ⚡ Calories: 334kcal
- 🌶️ Flavor Profile: Sweet, tart, and refreshing
- ✋ Difficulty: Easy, perfect for beginners
Quick Answer
To make pink lemonade, dissolve sugar in warm water to make a simple syrup, then let it cool. In a large pitcher, combine fresh-squeezed lemon juice, the simple syrup, the remaining water, and 2 to 4 tablespoons of grenadine for the pink color. Stir well, chill for at least 2 hours, and serve over plenty of ice.
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Why This Recipe Works
Click to see the technique science
- A simple syrup blends in smoothly. Dissolving the sugar in warm water first means no gritty undissolved granules, so every sip is perfectly sweet and smooth.
- Fresh lemon juice is everything. Real squeezed lemons give this pink lemonade a bright, zippy flavor that bottled juice just cannot match.
- Grenadine adds color and a hint of fruit. Just a couple tablespoons of grenadine turns the lemonade a beautiful blush pink and adds a subtle sweet-tart pomegranate note.
- Chilling melds the flavors. A couple hours in the fridge lets the tart and sweet flavors balance and round out for the most refreshing glass.
- It is easy to scale. This recipe doubles or triples effortlessly, so it is perfect for parties, picnics, and a thirsty crowd.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- It is incredibly refreshing with the perfect sweet-tart balance for hot summer days.
- That gorgeous blush-pink color makes it as pretty as it is delicious, no artificial dyes needed.
- It comes together with four simple ingredients and is endlessly easy to customize, just like our blueberry lemonade.
Key Ingredients
You only need four simple ingredients to make this refreshing pink lemonade.
- Fresh lemons: Freshly squeezed lemon juice is the star and gives the brightest, most natural lemonade flavor.
- Granulated sugar: Dissolved into a quick simple syrup so it sweetens evenly without any grit.
- Water: Used both to make the syrup and to dilute the lemonade to the perfect sip-able strength.
- Grenadine: A splash gives the lemonade its signature pretty pink color and a subtle fruity sweetness.
See recipe card for exact quantities.
Variations and Substitutions
This pink lemonade is so easy to make your own.
- Berry pink lemonade: Blend in a handful of fresh raspberries or strawberries and strain for a natural pink color and berry flavor.
- Sparkling: Top each glass with club soda or lemon-lime soda for a fizzy version.
- Make it a cocktail: Add a shot of vodka, gin, or rum for an adults-only pink lemonade.
- Frozen: Blend the lemonade with ice for a slushie-style frozen pink lemonade.
- Adjust the sweetness: Add more or less simple syrup to taste, or use honey for a natural option.
How to Make Pink Lemonade
- Make the simple syrup. Place half of the water into a medium saucepot, add the sugar, and whisk together. Set over medium-low heat and stir until the sugar fully dissolves, then remove from the heat and let it cool.
- Squeeze the lemons. Juice enough fresh lemons to get about 1 1/4 cups of lemon juice, straining out any seeds.
- Combine everything. To a large pitcher, add the fresh lemon juice, the cooled sugar syrup, the remaining 2 cups of water, and the grenadine.
- Stir and chill. Stir well to combine, then place in the fridge for at least 2 hours to chill. Serve over plenty of ice.
Recipe Tips & Tricks
- Roll the lemons firmly on the counter before juicing to get the most juice out of each one.
- Let the simple syrup cool before adding it so it does not warm up the lemonade.
- Start with 2 tablespoons of grenadine and add more to reach your perfect shade of pink and level of sweetness.
- Chill it well. A couple hours in the fridge makes the flavors meld and the lemonade extra refreshing.
- Use plenty of ice when serving, and freeze some lemonade into ice cubes so they do not water it down.
- Garnish with lemon slices and fresh mint or berries for a pretty, party-ready presentation.
Serving Ideas and Suggestions
This pink lemonade is the ultimate refreshment for hot weather, and it is made to be served ice-cold in tall glasses packed with ice. Garnish each glass with a fresh lemon wheel, a sprig of mint, or a few floating berries to make it feel extra special for guests.
It is a natural fit for summer cookouts, pool parties, baby and bridal showers, and backyard barbecues. Pair it with smoky grilled favorites like our pulled pork or a spread of finger foods, and set out a pitcher so everyone can refill. For a party-perfect touch, serve it from a big drink dispenser with a ladle of fresh fruit.
You can easily make this pink lemonade ahead of time, which makes entertaining a breeze. Store it covered in the fridge for up to 5 days, and give it a quick stir before serving since it can separate slightly. For a fun frozen treat, pour leftovers into popsicle molds and freeze.
Pink Lemonade FAQs
This pink lemonade gets its pretty blush color from a splash of grenadine, which is a sweet pomegranate-flavored syrup. You can also make it pink naturally by blending in fresh raspberries, strawberries, or a little cranberry juice and straining it.
Yes. If you do not have grenadine, you can use a splash of cranberry juice, pomegranate juice, or blended-and-strained fresh berries to give the lemonade its pink color. Each option adds its own subtle fruity flavor.
Homemade pink lemonade keeps well covered in the fridge for up to 5 days. The flavors actually meld nicely after chilling, so it tastes great the next day. Give it a quick stir before serving since it can separate a little as it sits.
You can use bottled lemon juice in a pinch, but fresh-squeezed lemons give this pink lemonade the brightest, most natural flavor. If you use bottled, start with a little less and add to taste, since it can be more concentrated.
This recipe scales up beautifully. Simply double or triple all the ingredients and mix it in a large drink dispenser or punch bowl. Make the simple syrup in a bigger batch, chill everything well, and add ice just before serving so it does not get watered down.
Absolutely. Pink lemonade makes a fantastic base for cocktails. Add a shot of vodka, gin, rum, or even prosecco to each glass for a refreshing adults-only drink that is perfect for summer parties.
Thirsty for more? Try our refreshing cherry limeade next.
Pink Lemonade
Ingredients
- 4 cups water divided
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 1 1/4 cups lemon juice fresh squeezed
- 2-4 tablespoons grenadine
Instructions
- Place half of the water into a medium-size saucepot. Add the sugar and whisk it together. Place over medium-low heat, stirring constantly until the sugar is dissolved. You know the sugar is dissolved when the mixture becomes clear again. Let it cool slightly on the countertop.4 cups water
- To a large pitcher, add the lemon juice, sugar water, the remaining 2 cups water, and grenadine.4 cups water
- Stir to combine.4 cups water
- Place in the fridge for at least 2 hours to chill and serve over ice.4 cups water
Notes
- You can double this batch if you’d like, see my tips above on the best way to do that.
- If you want a less sweet version I would cut the sugar by 1/4 cup.
- You can add more or less grenadine depending on how colorful you want your drink.
- Fresh squeezed lemon juice is best for this, bottled will not give you the same flavor but you can use bottled in a pinch.
- This needs to sit in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours so it can chill and the flavors can blend together.
Nutrition
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