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So... What is it?
Forget the sugary soda stand – today we give you 2 different versions of lemonade all grown up and ready to party! Bursting with real lemon juice, a kiss of sweetness, and a kick of booze, this rebellious refresher is equal parts sunshine and sass. Whether you're backyard chillin', beachside sippin’, or just flipping the bird to boring drinks, this fizzy citrus crusher hits with a tart twist and a smooth finish.
Think lemonade... but with attitude.
Version 1, Fermented Lemonade!
Alcoholic Lemonade Recipe - Aprox 5.5% ABV
(Approx. 4L / 1 Gallon Batch)
🧂 Ingredients:
- 5 lemons, sliced and roughly squeezed (keep pulp and peel)
- 2 lemons, fully juiced
- 350g raw sugar or dextrose (1¾ cups)
- 200g lactose (1 cup)
- 3.8L total water (1 US gallon / 1.0 qt + 3.0 qt)
- 1.5L for boiling (6⅓ cups / 1.6 qt)
- 2.3L for cooling (9¾ cups / 2.4 qt)
- Yeast nutrient (as per pack instructions, usually ½ tsp per gallon)
- Yeast: Lalvin EC-1118, US-05, or baker’s yeast
- After fermentation: 250ml fresh lemon juice (1 cup)
- Optional: priming sugar (5g per 500ml / 1 tsp per 16 oz bottle) if bottle conditioning
🛠️ Equipment:
- Large pot (minimum 5L / 1.3 gallons)
- Sanitised fermenter (5L / 1.3 gallons or larger)
- Strainer or sieve
- Thermometer
- Airlock and bung
- Bottles or carbonation unit (iGulu or SodaStream)
👣 Instructions:
1. Prepare the Lemon Base
- Slice and roughly squeeze 5 lemons. Add pulp and peel to a large pot.
- Pour in 1.5L (6⅓ cups / 1.6 qt) of water.
- Add 350g (1¾ cups) raw sugar or dextrose and 200g (1 cup) lactose.
- Add juice from 2 more lemons.
- Add yeast nutrient per pack dosage (~½ tsp).
- Gently simmer on low heat for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
2. Cool the Mix
- Remove from heat after simmering.
- Strain solids if you prefer a clearer final product.
- Add 2.3L (9¾ cups / 2.4 qt) cold, clean water to bring total volume to 3.8L (1 US gallon).
- Allow mixture to cool to 20–25°C (68–77°F).
3. Pitch the Yeast
- Pour cooled mixture into a sanitised fermenter.
- Add yeast (1 sachet or ~1 tsp dry yeast).
- Seal with airlock and store at 18–22°C (64–72°F).
- Ferment for 7–10 days, or until bubbling stops and mixture is clear.
4. Post-Fermentation Additions
- Once fermentation is complete, add 250ml (1 cup) of fresh lemon juice.
- Stir gently and let rest for 24 hours.
5. Carbonate
Option 1 – Force Carbonation:
- Transfer to a keg or SodaStream-compatible container and carbonate to desired fizz level.
Option 2 – Bottle Conditioning:
- Add 5g (1 tsp) priming sugar per 500ml (16 oz) bottle.
- Cap and store at room temp for 1–2 weeks to carbonate.
🍻 Serve & Enjoy:
Chill thoroughly. Open slowly. Enjoy your fresh, fizzy, alcoholic lemonade—tart, lightly sweet, and super refreshing!
Version 2, Vodka Lemonade!
🍸 Quick Vodka Lemonade Recipe 5.5% ABV
(1L / 4 servings)
🧂 Ingredients:
- 1 cup (200g) raw sugar
- 1 cup (240ml) fresh lemon juice (~4–5 lemons)
- 1 cup (240ml) water (for dissolving sugar)
- 2¼ cups (530ml) water (for dilution)
- ⅔ cup (160ml) vodka (your favorite brand)
🛠️ Equipment:
- Saucepan
- Spoon or whisk
- Pitcher or jug
- Measuring cups
- Optional: sieve or strainer (if using freshly squeezed juice with pulp)
👣 Instructions:
1. Make the Simple Syrup
- In a saucepan, combine 1 cup (240ml) of water with 1 cup (200g) raw sugar.
- Heat gently over medium heat, stirring constantly until the sugar dissolves completely.
- Remove from heat and let cool for a few minutes.
2. Mix the Lemonade
- In a large pitcher, add 1 cup (240ml) of fresh lemon juice.
- Pour in the cooled sugar syrup.
- Add 2¼ cups (530ml) of cold water and ⅔ cup (160ml) vodka.
- Stir well to combine.
3. Chill & Serve (And carbonate if desired!)
- Refrigerate until cold, or serve immediately over ice.
- Optional: garnish with lemon slices or fresh mint for extra flair.
- Optional - Transfer to a keg, iGulu or SodaStream-compatible container and carbonate to desired fizz level.
🍹 Tips:
- For sparkling vodka lemonade, swap some of the dilution water with soda water just before serving.
- Adjust sugar or lemon to taste depending on how sweet or tart you like it.
- Easily scale this recipe up for parties!
