Homemade Raspberry Lemonade (Sweet, Tart & Refreshing)

There's nothing more refreshing on a hot day than a cold glass of homemade raspberry lemonade! With its perfect balance of sweet and tart, this flavorful drink is bursting with fresh raspberry flavor.

It's the perfect drink for summer barbecues, picnics, or just sipping it on the porch. Raspberry lemonade is the kind of easy recipe that instantly feels like a treat, and the best part is you only need a few simple ingredients to make it from scratch!

Why You'll Love It

• It's fresh and fruity. Real raspberries give this lemonade its berry-packed flavor and gorgeous color.
• It's perfectly balanced. It's sweet, tart, and super refreshing without being overpowering.
• It's easy to make. Just a handful of ingredients and a quick simmer is all it takes!
• It's great for any occasion. Serve it at cookouts, baby or bridal showers, or just keep a pitcher in the fridge to enjoy it anytime.
• It's customizable. Make it sparkling with a little ginger ale, add vodka and turn it into a cocktail, or swap in frozen raspberries when fresh ones aren't in season. You can also add more or less of the raspberry syrup so it's as perfectly sweet as you like it.

Ingredients You'll Need

• 1 cup fresh raspberries: You can also use frozen raspberries; just thaw them first.
• 1 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice: From about 5-6 lemons. Bottled works in a pinch (although not really recommended), but fresh is best.
• ¾ to 1 cup granulated sugar: Adjust this to your taste depending on how sweet you like it.
• 4 cups cold water: Start with 4, then add more to taste.
• Ice: For serving (but don't add this too early or it can water it down).
• Lemon slices and extra raspberries: Optional, for garnish.

How to Make Raspberry Lemonade

1. Make a raspberry puree: In a small saucepan, combine the raspberries, ¼ cup sugar, and ½ cup water. Simmer for about 5 minutes or so until the raspberries break down. Strain through a fine mesh sieve and discard seeds.
2. Juice the lemons: Roll the lemons on the counter to help release the juice, then cut them in half and juice them until you have 1 cup. Strain them to remove seeds and extra pulp (if desired).
3. Sweeten: In a large pitcher, whisk together the lemon juice and sugar until the sugar is mostly dissolved.
4. Combine and adjust: Stir in the raspberry puree and the remaining 4 cups of cold water. Taste and adjust (add more sugar for a sweeter lemonade or more lemon juice for extra tartness).
5. Chill and serve: Refrigerate the raspberry lemonade until it's cold. Serve it over ice with fresh raspberries and lemon slices (if desired).

Tips for the Best Flavor

• Use fresh lemons: It might be tempting to save yourself the task of juicing lemons, but bottled lemon juice just doesn't compare. Freshly squeezed juice gives your lemonade a bright, clean flavor.
• Choose ripe raspberries: Look for berries that are deep red and slightly soft. They'll be the sweetest and the most flavorful.
• Strain the raspberries really well: Straining the raspberry puree and lemon juice removes seeds and excess pulp, giving your lemonade a much smoother texture.
• Dissolve the sugar completely: Whisk the sugar with the lemon juice before adding water to help it dissolve fully. You don't want a pool of sugar at the bottom of your pitcher!
• Adjust to taste: This lemonade is very forgiving. If you want it sweeter, just add more sugar. If you prefer it tart, add an extra squeeze of lemon. If you're serving it at a party, leave lemon wedges and a small bowl of sugar next to the pitcher so guests can adjust their own.
• Chill it thoroughly: Let it chill in the fridge for at least 1-2 hours before serving. Cold lemonade always tastes better!
• Serve it over ice: Add ice just before serving to keep the flavor concentrated. It can get watered down if it sits too long after the ice is added.

Variations

• Sparkling Raspberry Lemonade: Swap some or all of the water for sparkling water, club soda, or ginger ale for a fizzy twist. Add it just before serving to keep the bubbles fresh.
• Add herbs: Add a handful of fresh mint, basil, or rosemary to the lemonade while it chills. Strain it before serving.
• Honey-Sweetened: Replace some of the granulated sugar with honey for a more natural sweetness and slightly floral flavor. Warm the honey with a bit of water to dissolve it before mixing.
• Frozen Raspberry Lemonade: Blend the finished lemonade with ice for a refreshing frozen treat. It's great for hot summer days!
• Raspberry Limeade: Swap some or all of the lemon juice with lime juice.
• Adult Version: Add a splash of vodka, gin, or rum to make it a party-ready cocktail.
• Mixed Berry Lemonade: Add strawberries, blueberries, or blackberries along with the raspberries. Or just add these as a garnish when serving - it's gorgeous (and tasty)!

Storage & Make-Ahead Tips

Make Ahead

Raspberry lemonade is perfect for prepping in advance. You can make the entire batch up to 2 days ahead of time and store it in the fridge. In fact, it often tastes even better after the flavors have had time to meld. If you're serving it for a party, keep it chilled in a pitcher and add ice and garnishes (like lemon slices, fresh raspberries or mint) just before serving.

Storage

Store any leftover lemonade in an airtight container or pitcher in the refrigerator for up to 4-5 days. If it separates slightly, just give it a good stir before pouring.

Freezing Tips

You can freeze raspberry lemonade in ice cube trays and use the cubes in future drinks to avoid watering it down. Or freeze the whole batch in a freezer-safe container (just thaw in the fridge overnight before serving).

Frequently Asked Questions

For more refreshing drinks like this raspberry lemonade, be sure to check out some of my other warm-weather favorites! My sweet iced tea for summer is a simple classic that's perfect for relaxing summer afternoons, and for something fruity and healthy, this spinach banana pineapple smoothie is extra refreshing. For something with a kick, try the grapefruit and mezcal drink for a smoky twist, or shake up a margarita with mango for something boozy and tropical. And don't miss my favorite! Festive margaritas with pomegranate are perfect for parties and you can make them by the pitcher!

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Raspberry Lemonade

Yield: 4 servings

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 5 minutes

Additional Time: 4 hours

Total Time: 4 hours 15 minutes

This easy raspberry lemonade is flavorful and refreshing! Add a bit of booze for an adult version.

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Ingredients

• 1 cup fresh raspberries (or frozen, thawed)
• 1 cup fresh-squeezed lemon juice (about 4–6 lemons)
• ¾ cup granulated sugar (adjust to taste)
• 4 cups cold water
• Ice, for serving
• Optional: fresh mint or lemon slices for garnish

Instructions

1. In a small saucepan, combine raspberries, ¼ cup sugar, and ½ cup water. Simmer 5–6 minutes until raspberries break down. Strain through a fine mesh sieve and discard seeds.
2. In a large pitcher, stir together raspberry syrup, lemon juice, remaining sugar, and cold water. Stir until sugar is dissolved.
3. Taste and adjust sweetness or acidity as needed.
4. Chill until ready to serve. Serve over ice with fresh raspberries or mint for garnish.

Nutrition Information:

Yield: 4 Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 181Total Fat: 0gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 0gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 12mgCarbohydrates: 47gFiber: 3gSugar: 41gProtein: 1g

This data was provided and calculated by Nutritionix.

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Kristy Bernardo

Kristy Bernardo is a five-time cookbook author, travel writer, and culinary instructor who has been developing recipes for national brands since 2009. A former personal chef, she learned to cook from her mother and grandmother before refining her skills at the Culinary Institute of America’s Boot Camp.

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