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7 Lemonade Recipes That Go Beyond Your Usual Summer Sip

Take this simple pleasure and make it even more special.

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lemonade recipes
Ryan Liebe

Lemonade is one of summer’s simplest pleasures, but these recipes show how easily it can become something even more special. From frosty frozen blends and creamy floats to berry-packed pitchers, floral infusions, and sparkling twists with a little kick, there are plenty of ways to give this warm-weather classic a fresh new personality beyond a quick mix of lemon, water, and sugar.

Whether you’re planning a backyard barbecue, a sunny brunch, or just looking for something cold and cheerful to sip on the porch, these lemonade recipes bring the fun. Some of the summer drinks are bright and fruity, some are icy and dessert-like, and others lean a little more sophisticated with unexpected ingredients like lavender or ginger. The best part? They all start with that sweet-tart citrus flavor everyone loves, then take it in a completely different direction. So grab a glass and put a fresh spin on the sweetest sip of the season.

1

Strawberry Lemonade

Strawberry Lemonade
Caitlin Bensel

Enjoy a sweeter, fruitier spin with fresh strawberries blended right into the mix. They add a juicy flavor and a soft pink color, while the lemon cuts through with a sharp, refreshing spark.

Get the Strawberry Lemonade recipe.

2

Blueberry Lemonade

Blueberry Lemonade
David Malosh

Blending bright lemon juice with the depth of fresh blueberries, this porch-ready pour goes beyond standard lemonade. It’s jammy, jewel-toned, and finished with sparkling water so every sip is crisp and layered.

Get Ree’s Blueberry Lemonade recipe.

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3

Lemonade Floats

Lemonade Floats
David Malosh

You can get a two-in-one summer treat by topping each glass of fresh lemonade with scoops of lemon sorbet. The result is bright and citrusy at first sip, then creamy and dessert-like as the sorbet melts in.

Get Ree’s Lemonade Floats recipe.

4

Frozen Pink Lemonade

Frozen Pink Lemonade
Ryan Liebe

Hello, summer in slushy form! It’s sweet, tart, and frosty with a naturally pink hue from blended frozen strawberries. A homemade simple syrup gives it smooth sweetness, while fresh lemon juice keeps the flavor bright and citrusy.

Get Ree’s Frozen Pink Lemonade recipe.

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5

Lavender Lemonade

lavender lemonade
Irenastar / Getty Images//Getty Images

For a more delicate, garden-inspired twist, try this version infused with fresh lavender. Along with the lemon’s tartness, it has a light, aromatic flavor that feels a little more elegant than usual.

Get the Lavender Lemonade recipe.

6

Sparkling Ginger Lemonade

Sparkling Ginger Lemonade
Con Poulos

This citrusy sip is refreshing with just the right edge thanks to a warm, peppery bite of fresh ginger and a fizzy finish of club soda that sets it apart from sweeter fruit versions.

Get the Sparkling Ginger Lemonade recipe.

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7

Frozen Lemonade

Frozen Lemonade
Nicole Dubois

Landing somewhere between a drink and a dessert, you’ll blend lemony brightness and vanilla ice cream to get an icy treat that’s tart, sweet, and ultra-refreshing for the hottest days.

Get the Frozen Lemonade recipe.

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