Frozen lemonade is a perfect way to cool off on a hot day. This homemade frozen lemonade recipe uses fresh lemons and simple ingredients to create a refreshingly frothy drink. If you’re looking for a delicious non-alcoholic summer beverage that’s easy to make, grab a blender and some lemons and get started!
I hadn’t planned to share another drink recipe this week, but after a recent trip to a shop where a frozen lemonade was our fallback choice, I decided we could make something better at home. The store version was tart and iced up quickly, so we experimented until we had a frozen lemonade that stayed frothy and drinkable. With a bag of fresh lemons ready to use, this homemade frozen lemonade turned out wonderfully.
How to Make Frozen Lemonade
This recipe calls for a full cup of fresh lemon juice. If you prefer a tarter lemonade, increase the lemon juice slightly or reduce the amount of simple syrup. The balance between acidity and sweetness is up to your taste, so taste as you blend and adjust if needed.
Using a citrus juicer makes getting the juice from fresh lemons quick and easy. We used our juicer and set to work squeezing enough lemons to yield about 1 cup of juice, which is roughly 5 to 6 medium lemons depending on size and juiciness.
Lemon Peel Uses — Kitchen Tips
When you’re making fresh lemonade, don’t throw away the peels. Lemon peel is useful in several ways around the kitchen:
- Lemon zest: Zest the peels before juicing and freeze the zest in small containers or bags for future recipes. Frozen zest is handy to add fresh lemon flavor to dressings, baked goods, sauces, and more.
- Freshen the sink: Citrus peels can help freshen a garbage disposal — drop a couple of halves in and run the disposal briefly. Freeze any extra peels and use them later as needed.
If you prefer not to make simple syrup from scratch, you can use a store-bought simple syrup. For this recipe, you would need 1 1/2 cups of store-bought simple syrup to replace the homemade version.
A quality blender is essential to achieve a smooth, frothy texture. If your blender struggles with large amounts of ice, add half the ice first, blend, then add the rest. This helps prevent the blades from stalling and yields the best consistency.
We added a little lemon zest to ours for extra flavor and a touch of color. The blender breaks the zest into small pieces, so you may notice tiny flecks in the drink. If you prefer a completely smooth texture, skip the zest or strain it out.
The finished frozen lemonade is frothy and easy to sip through a straw. This drink is more of a frothy, slushy-style lemonade rather than a thick slushie — the result is light, refreshing, and very drinkable.
Homemade Frozen Lemonade
Frozen lemonade is a classic summer refreshment. Using fresh lemons and a few simple ingredients, you can make a frothy, thirst-quenching drink in minutes.
Rating: 5 from 6 votes
Course: Drinks
Keywords: blender drinks, frothy, homemade, kid friendly, lemonade, non-alcoholic, simple ingredients, summer drinks
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Servings: 8
Author: Emilie at FindingZest.com
Ingredients
- 3 cups cold water, divided
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 cup fresh lemon juice (about 5 to 6 lemons)
- 1 tablespoon lemon zest (optional)
- 5 cups ice
- 1 lemon, sliced (garnish)
- Maraschino cherries (garnish)
Instructions
- Make a simple syrup by heating 1 cup water and 1 cup sugar in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil, stirring until the sugar dissolves. Cool completely.
- In a blender, combine 2 cups cold water, the cooled simple syrup, fresh lemon juice, lemon zest (if using), and the ice.
- Blend until smooth and frothy. If your blender struggles, add the ice in batches.
- Garnish with lemon slices and maraschino cherries if desired.
- Serve immediately for the best frothy texture.
For an extra pop of color, top each serving with a maraschino cherry. Kids especially enjoy picking the cherry out before drinking.
We loved this homemade frozen lemonade — it stays flavorful even after the ice melts a bit, so it works well for serving at small gatherings or as a family treat on a warm afternoon.
What have you been making with your little chefs lately? Share your recent kitchen activities and favorite summer drinks.
Check out these Mini Chef ideas from contributors:
- Zeppole Recipe Without Ricotta — Courtney’s Sweets
- Cheeseburger Bites — Eating Richly
- Strawberry Honey Overnight Oats — Vegging at the Shore
- Red, White and Blue Jello Cups — My Mini Adventurer
