There’s nothing quite as satisfying as a cold glass of mint lemonade on a warm day. I recently made this for a weekend barbecue, and it was the star of the event. The pop of zesty lemons combined with the fresh, aromatic mint created a drink that was both cooling and vibrant.
Not only was it delicious, but the process of making it turned out to be super quick and enjoyable. If you love trying new lemonade recipes, you might also enjoy this lavender lemonade that offers a floral twist! If you’re ready for a fun and refreshing recipe, let’s get started!
Ingredients
This recipe features simple and fresh ingredients, perfectly balanced between sweet and tangy.
- 1 cup lemon juice
- 1 whole lemon, cut into small wedges
- ¾ to 1 cup sugar, adjust to taste
- 1 cup cold water
- 3 cups ice
- A handful of mint leaves or a small bunch
Note: This recipe serves about 4 people.
Time Required
- Preparation Time: 10-15 minutes
- Servings: 4
Equipment You Need
You don’t need much to make this recipe, which is what makes it so accessible and fuss-free.
- Blender – To blend all the ingredients into a smooth, frosty drink.
- Citrus juicer – For extracting fresh lemon juice.
- Knife and cutting board – To slice the lemons into wedges.
- Measuring cups – To measure the proper quantities of the ingredients.
- Serving glasses – For chilling and enjoying the mint lemonade.
How to Make Mint Lemonade?
Making this refreshing beverage is super simple. The balance of vibrant lemons and fresh mint creates the perfect summer drink. Here’s how to do it step-by-step.
1. Prepare the Lemons
Start by juicing fresh lemons to get about 1 cup of lemon juice. It’s always better to use fresh lemons because they bring out the most vibrant flavors. If you want to save time, you could use pre-squeezed lemon juice, but I highly recommend the fresh option for that extra zing. Also, slice one whole lemon into small wedges and set them aside; these will add a beautiful citrusy balance to the final drink.
2. Blend the Ingredients
Once your lemons are prepped, it’s time to bring everything together. Add the lemon juice, lemon wedges, sugar, cold water, ice, and a handful of fresh mint leaves into a blender. Blend the mixture until it is completely smooth. The result should be a frosty, vibrant green drink with a velvety texture. The ice plays a big role in achieving that cool, refreshing consistency.
3. Taste and Adjust
After blending, pause to taste your lemonade. Need it sweeter? Add a bit more sugar. Too strong? Toss in a touch of cold water. You have the flexibility to adjust this drink to your personal preference. Remember, the goal is a balance of sweet, tangy, and minty.
4. Strain (Optional)
If the tiny bits of lemon pulp or mint bother you, you can strain the mixture into a pitcher before serving. Personally, I don’t mind the natural texture, so I usually skip this step. However, feel free to adjust based on your preference.
5. Serve and Enjoy
Pour the chilled mint lemonade into glasses and serve immediately. You can garnish each glass with a sprig of mint or a lemon wedge for that extra touch of visual appeal. Alternatively, if you’re looking for a new lemonade inspiration, this fresh lemonade recipe might be worth exploring. Trust me, once you take that first sip, you’ll understand why this drink is a favorite for summer gatherings.
Source: Pinterest
Nutritional Information
Here’s a quick breakdown of the nutritional value per serving. Keep in mind that these numbers may vary slightly based on the exact quantity of sugar used.
- Calories: 120
- Protein: 1g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fat: 0g
Tips for Making the Recipe
After making this a few times, I’ve picked up a handful of handy tips to make the process smoother and the drink even tastier. These will ensure you get the perfect mint lemonade every time.
- Use fresh ingredients. Fresh lemon juice and mint leaves elevate the flavor significantly. Avoid bottled lemon juice or pre-packed mint whenever possible; the vibrant, zesty notes will truly shine with fresh produce.
- Adjust the sweetness. Everyone has a different level of sweetness they enjoy, so always taste and tweak the sugar level to suit your palette.
- Chill your ingredients first. To make the lemonade even frostier, refrigerate the ingredients beforehand. Using cold water and pre-chilled lemons will enhance the drink’s cooling effect.
- Blending tips. Blend on high speed to ensure all the ingredients are perfectly smooth. This gives you a creamy and homogenous result.
- Experiment with variations. For a tropical twist, try adding a handful of pineapple chunks. Or, substitute half the water with sparkling water for a fizzy version.
If you’re exploring more drink recipes for an upcoming gathering or just want some variety, you can also enjoy similar creative ideas from this collection of drinks! This is one of those recipes that’s a joy to prepare and even more delightful to drink.
Mint Lemonade Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 cup lemon juice
- 1 whole lemon cut into small wedges
- ¾ to 1 cup sugar adjust to taste
- 1 cup cold water
- 3 cups ice
- A handful of mint leaves or a small bunch
Instructions
- Start by juicing fresh lemons to get about 1 cup of lemon juice. It’s always better to use fresh lemons because they bring out the most vibrant flavors. If you want to save time, you could use pre-squeezed lemon juice, but I highly recommend the fresh option for that extra zing. Also, slice one whole lemon into small wedges and set them aside; these will add a beautiful citrusy balance to the final drink.
- Once your lemons are prepped, it’s time to bring everything together. Add the lemon juice, lemon wedges, sugar, cold water, ice, and a handful of fresh mint leaves into a blender. Blend the mixture until it is completely smooth. The result should be a frosty, vibrant green drink with a velvety texture. The ice plays a big role in achieving that cool, refreshing consistency.
- After blending, pause to taste your lemonade. Need it sweeter? Add a bit more sugar. Too strong? Toss in a touch of cold water. You have the flexibility to adjust this drink to your personal preference. Remember, the goal is a balance of sweet, tangy, and minty.
- If the tiny bits of lemon pulp or mint bother you, you can strain the mixture into a pitcher before serving. Personally, I don’t mind the natural texture, so I usually skip this step. However, feel free to adjust based on your preference.
- Pour the chilled mint lemonade into glasses and serve immediately. You can garnish each glass with a sprig of mint or a lemon wedge for that extra touch of visual appeal. Trust me, once you take that first sip, you’ll understand why this drink is a favorite for summer gatherings.
Notes
- Use fresh ingredients. Fresh lemon juice and mint leaves elevate the flavor significantly. Avoid bottled lemon juice or pre-packed mint whenever possible; the vibrant, zesty notes will truly shine with fresh produce.
- Adjust the sweetness. Everyone has a different level of sweetness they enjoy, so always taste and tweak the sugar level to suit your palette.
- Chill your ingredients first. To make the lemonade even frostier, refrigerate the ingredients beforehand. Using cold water and pre-chilled lemons will enhance the drink’s cooling effect.
- Blending tips. Blend on high speed to ensure all the ingredients are perfectly smooth. This gives you a creamy and homogenous result.
