Pink Lemonade is the perfect summer drink, combining fresh lemon juice, simple syrup, and a splash of cranberry or grenadine for its signature pink color. Ideal for hot days or as a special treat at events, it offers a refreshing blend of sweet and tart flavors.
Combine equal parts sugar and water in a saucepan and place over medium heat.
Keep stirring until all the sugar dissolves completely. Once dissolved, remove the pan from the heat and let the syrup cool down before you use it in your drinks.
Making Pink Lemonade
Start by halving the lemons, and transfer them into a bowl.
Squeeze out all the juice from the lemons. You can use a fork, a handheld juicer, or a citrus press—whichever method you prefer.
Press the pulp against a mesh strainer to maximize the juice yield.
In a large pitcher, mix the lemon juice, sugar syrup, cranberry juice, and water. Stir everything together and refrigerate for at least an hour to let the flavors meld and the mixture to cool.
Fill a serving glass with ice cubes and lemon slices, then pour in the chilled Pink Lemonade. Your refreshing drink is now ready to savor and enjoy.
Serving
Enjoy this Pink Lemonade as the perfect refreshment on warm days or as a delightful drink to serve your party guests.
Notes
Here are some tips for making perfect Pink Lemonade:
Chill Your Ingredients: Before mixing, chill all your ingredients. This keeps the lemonade cool and refreshing without diluting it too quickly with melting ice.
Fresh Lemons: Always opt for fresh lemons rather than bottled lemon juice. The fresh juice gives a brighter, more authentic flavor.
Use Filtered Water: For the best-tasting lemonade, use filtered water in your syrup and to dilute the juice, as it ensures no unwanted flavors interfere with the clean, fresh taste of your lemonade.
Syrup Sweetness: Use simple sugar syrup to add the right amount of sweetness. A 1:1 ratio of sugar to water usually works well, but feel free to adjust according to your taste preferences.
Adjust the Tartness: If you find your lemonade too tart, you can add a little more sugar syrup. If it's too sweet, a bit more lemon juice will do the trick.
Achieving the Pink Hue: A cup of cranberry juice provides a beautiful pink color without overwhelming the flavor of the lemonade. Use just enough to achieve the color while keeping the taste balanced.
Alternative Pink Ingredients: For different shades of pink, consider using watermelon or cherry juice, or even grenadine syrup. Each option adds a unique twist to both the color and flavor of the lemonade.