Frozen Lemonade Recipe
Frozen Lemonade is the ultimate refreshment when the heat turns up and you’re craving something zingy, sweet, and spectacularly icy. This slushy treat brings together lemon’s punchy tartness with a snowy, cloudlike texture that both cools you down and perks you up. With just a handful of ingredients and a blender, you’re minutes away from an irresistibly smooth sipper that outshines anything you could buy at a stand. If you love citrus and frozen drinks, you’ll fall head over heels for this Frozen Lemonade!
Ingredients You’ll Need
This Frozen Lemonade is all about simplicity, but every ingredient is carefully chosen to play a starring role. Each component delivers something special, from the silky consistency to that bold lemon hit and just the right chill.
- ½ cup water: Provides the necessary liquid base, helping everything blend smoothly without overwhelming the citrus flavor.
- ¼ cup lemon juice: The hero of our Frozen Lemonade, offering fresh, bright tartness; use freshly squeezed for unbeatable zing.
- 3 tablespoons sugar: Balances the sourness, giving it that classic sweet-and-tangy taste you crave in lemonade.
- ⅛ teaspoon xanthan gum: The secret to that silky restaurant-style texture, keeping your Frozen Lemonade creamy and preventing separation.
- 1 cup ice: Turns the whole mix into a frosty, slushy delight and chills every sip perfectly.
How to Make Frozen Lemonade
Step 1: Add Ingredients to the Blender
Start by pouring the water, lemon juice, sugar, and xanthan gum into your blender first. Liquids always go in before solids to help your blender work its magic with minimal fuss. Finally, add the ice right on top. That way, your blades can crush and blend everything evenly, setting the stage for that signature Frozen Lemonade smoothness we all adore.
Step 2: Blend Until Smooth
Secure the lid tightly—no one likes a kitchen splash zone! Begin blending on LOW for about five seconds, which helps pull the ingredients together. Then crank it up to HIGH and blend for 45 seconds to a minute. The xanthan gum will help everything thicken up beautifully, transforming the mix into a creamy, luscious frozen treat that pours like a dream and holds its slushy texture.
Step 3: Serve Immediately
Once everything is seamlessly blended and smooth, pour the Frozen Lemonade directly into a chilled glass. It’s at its absolute best when served right away, with little flecks of ice still swirling around, promising refreshment with every sip.
How to Serve Frozen Lemonade
Garnishes
Pump up the wow factor by garnishing your Frozen Lemonade with a cute lemon wheel or a few mint leaves on top. Not only do these look stunning, but the aroma of fresh mint or a twist of extra lemon zest really heightens the whole experience as you sip. You could even rim the glass with sugar for an extra touch of sparkle!
Side Dishes
Frozen Lemonade pairs beautifully with picnic or barbecue foods—think grilled chicken, shrimp skewers, or crisp summer salads. The citrusy chill cuts through spicy or smoky dishes, while the sweetness is a perfect counterpoint for savory snacks like chips and guac or pita and hummus.
Creative Ways to Present
Set up a Frozen Lemonade bar at your next gathering, where guests can add berries, sliced fruit, or even a splash of sparkling water for a fizzy twist. Pour it into popsicle molds for sunshine-ready Frozen Lemonade pops, or serve in mason jars with vintage straws for that extra bit of summer charm.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you have any Frozen Lemonade left (a rare occurrence!), pour it into an airtight container and pop it in the freezer. It may change texture a little but will still be wonderfully refreshing. Give it a good stir before serving, or let it thaw slightly for best results.
Freezing
For longer storage, freeze individual servings of blended Frozen Lemonade in freezer-safe containers. When you’re ready for a glass, let it sit at room temperature for a couple of minutes, then use a fork to scrape and fluff it back into a slushy consistency. It’s like instant sunshine in a glass, whenever you need it!
Reheating
Reheating isn’t quite the goal here, but if your Frozen Lemonade has become too hard in the freezer, simply let it sit out for 10–15 minutes. If you want the texture to be just like freshly blended, pulse it again briefly in your blender to restore that cloudlike smoothness.
FAQs
Can I use bottled lemon juice instead of fresh?
Yes, you can, but fresh lemon juice truly makes a difference in the taste and brightness of your Frozen Lemonade. If using bottled, choose one with no added flavors or preservatives for best results.
Is there a substitute for xanthan gum?
If you don’t have xanthan gum, you can skip it, though the texture may not be quite as thick or smooth. A pinch of cornstarch or a few pieces of frozen banana can help mimic the creamy consistency in a pinch.
Can I make this recipe sugar-free?
Absolutely! Swap out the sugar for your favorite sweetener—stevia, monk fruit, or erythritol work well. You may need to adjust amounts to taste, but your Frozen Lemonade will still be just as slushy and refreshing.
What type of ice works best?
Standard ice cubes are perfect, but if you want to make blending even easier, use crushed ice. Smaller pieces blend quicker and help create that ultra-fine Frozen Lemonade texture without any big chunks.
Can I add alcohol for an adult version?
Yes! Vodka, gin, or a splash of citrus liqueur turn this Frozen Lemonade into a party-ready cocktail. Just add your spirit of choice to the blender with the other ingredients and blend away!
Final Thoughts
Nothing says “summer” quite like a glass of Frozen Lemonade. With each sip, you capture all the bold freshness of lemons in an icy, sweet-tart package that’s impossible to resist. Give this simple recipe a try, and get ready to meet your new favorite way to cool off and brighten any day!
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Frozen Lemonade Recipe
- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Yield: 1 serving 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This Frozen Lemonade recipe is a refreshing and tangy treat perfect for hot summer days. With just a few simple ingredients, you can whip up this icy beverage in no time.
Ingredients
For the Frozen Lemonade:
- ½ cup water
- ¼ cup lemon juice
- 3 tablespoons sugar
- ⅛ teaspoon xanthan gum
- 1 cup ice
Instructions
- Prepare the Frozen Lemonade: Put water, lemon juice, sugar, xanthan gum, and ice into a blender. Secure the lid. Always add liquids into the blender first.
- Blend the Ingredients: Blend until smooth. Start the blender on LOW speed for 5 seconds. Increase speed to HIGH for 45 seconds to a minute.
- Serve: Pour the frozen lemonade into a cup and serve immediately.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Beverage
- Method: Blending
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 100
- Sugar: 20g
- Sodium: 10mg
- Fat: 0g
- Saturated Fat: 0g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 25g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 0g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
Keywords: Frozen Lemonade, Lemon Drink, Summer Beverage
