pin it
I first discovered this Pink Lemonade recipe during a particularly hot summer when I was looking for something more exciting than regular lemonade. The vibrant color immediately caught my eye, and I was thrilled to find that it tasted even better than it looked. The secret is using fresh lemon juice rather than concentrate – it makes all the difference in achieving that perfect balance of sweetness and tartness. The raspberry puree not only gives it that gorgeous pink hue but also adds a subtle berry flavor that complements the lemon perfectly. I love making a big batch on Sunday afternoons and keeping it in the refrigerator for a refreshing treat throughout the week.
Why I love this recipe
I absolutely adore this Pink Lemonade recipe because it's so versatile and visually stunning. There's something magical about serving a drink that makes people's eyes light up before they even taste it. The beautiful pink color brings immediate joy, and the flavor doesn't disappoint! What I appreciate most is how easily it comes together – just a few simple ingredients transform into something special. It's also incredibly adaptable; you can adjust the sweetness to your preference, add sparkling water for fizz, or even turn it into an adult beverage for evening gatherings. Every time I serve this at parties, it's the first thing to disappear, and guests always leave with the recipe. Plus, it's one of those rare treats that's both impressive and genuinely simple to make.
What You Need From Your Kitchen
- Lemons: fresh-squeezed juice provides the tart base
- Raspberries: pureed for natural pink color and subtle flavor
- Sugar: balances the tartness and creates the simple syrup
- Pink sugar: creates a decorative and sweet rim
- Sparkling water: optional for effervescence
Let's Make These Together
- Prepare the lemon juice
- Start by washing your lemons thoroughly. Roll them firmly on the counter before cutting to help release more juice. Cut in half and squeeze out all the juice, removing seeds. For best results, use a citrus juicer to extract maximum juice with minimal effort.
- Create the simple syrup
- Combine equal parts sugar and water in a small saucepan. Heat gently while stirring until the sugar completely dissolves. Allow to cool completely before using - you can speed this up by placing it in the refrigerator.
- Make the raspberry puree
- Blend fresh or thawed frozen raspberries until smooth. Push the mixture through a fine-mesh sieve with the back of a spoon to remove all seeds. This creates a smooth puree that will give your lemonade its signature pink color without bits of seeds.
- Mix the lemonade
- In a large pitcher, combine the lemon juice, cooled simple syrup, and raspberry puree. Add cold water and stir well. Taste and adjust sweetness if needed by adding more simple syrup or more lemon juice for tartness.
- Prepare your glasses
- For that special touch, rim your glasses with pink sugar. Simply run a lemon wedge around the rim of each glass, then dip into pink sugar. Fill glasses with ice, pour in your pink lemonade, and garnish with fresh lemon slices and colorful straws.
pin it
Switch Things Up
The first time I made this pink lemonade was for my sister's baby shower. I wanted something special that would match our pink theme but wasn't alcoholic. Everyone kept asking for the recipe! I've since experimented with different berries - strawberries work wonderfully too, but raspberries give the most vibrant color. Sometimes I add a splash of sparkling water just before serving for a little effervescence that makes it even more refreshing on hot days.
Perfect Pairings
This Pink Lemonade pairs beautifully with summer fare like grilled chicken skewers, fresh salads, or light seafood dishes. For a more substantial pairing, serve alongside cucumber sandwiches or chicken wraps. It's also perfect with desserts like lemon cookies, vanilla cupcakes, or fresh berry tarts. For a grown-up version, it makes an excellent base for a vodka or gin cocktail - just add 1.5 oz of your preferred spirit per glass.
pin it
Frequently Asked Questions
- → Can I make this recipe ahead of time?
Absolutely! You can prepare the lemonade base up to 3 days in advance and store it in the refrigerator. Just add ice and garnishes right before serving. The flavor actually improves after a day as the ingredients meld together.
- → How can I make this lemonade for a large crowd?
This recipe easily scales up! Simply maintain the same ratios (1 part lemon juice to 1 part sugar syrup to 5 parts water) and adjust the raspberry puree to your color preference. For a party of 20, you would need about 3-4 times the recipe amounts.
- → Can I use bottled lemon juice instead of fresh?
While fresh lemon juice provides the best flavor, you can substitute bottled lemon juice in a pinch. Look for 100% pure lemon juice without additives. You may need to adjust the amount of sugar since bottled juice can sometimes be more acidic.
- → Is there a way to make this lemonade sugar-free?
Yes! You can substitute the sugar with honey, maple syrup, agave nectar, or a sugar-free sweetener like stevia or monk fruit. Start with about half the amount and adjust to taste, as these alternatives have different sweetness levels.
- → What other fruits can I use to make colored lemonades?
You can create different colored lemonades using various fruits: strawberries for pink, blueberries for purple, blackberries for deep red, watermelon for light pink, or mango for yellow-orange. Each will impart its own unique flavor profile to complement the lemon.
Conclusion
This Pink Lemonade is the perfect refreshing drink for hot summer days, parties, or anytime you need a burst of fruity freshness. The combination of tart lemons and sweet raspberries creates a beautiful balance of flavors that's both satisfying and thirst-quenching. Serve it at your next gathering for a guaranteed crowd-pleaser that looks as good as it tastes.