Cranberry Lemonade
Cranberry Lemonade is refreshingly tart and sweet, making it a delicious spin on a classic drink. Made with cranberry juice, freshly squeezed lemon juice and sugar this homemade lemonade recipe is easy to make in about 20 minutes and is always a crowd pleaser! Perfect for the holidays or during the summer, and every day in between!
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Why This Recipe is So Good
- This homemade cranberry lemonade is perfectly tart and sweet. The lemonade is sooo good and the tart cranberry juice flavor really comes through and of course, it has a gorgeous ruby red color.
- So simple to make. This lemonade recipe is made with store-bought cranberry juice, freshly squeezed lemon juice and a homemade simple syrup made by heating equal parts water and sugar until it dissolves. Cranberry lemonade takes 20 minutes to make, and it’s so delicious.
Recipe Ingredients
Cranberry juice – 100% pure cranberry juice, so this recipe can be made at any time of year.
Lemon juice – About 1 cup of freshly squeezed lemon juice or about 5 – 6 large lemons.
Simple syrup – This is made with equal parts water and sugar, heated until the sugar dissolves. You could also add the sugar to the lemonade, then stir until it dissolves. Either way works.
How to Make Cranberry Lemonade
All ingredients, measurements, and instructions are in the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
Make simple syrup
In a small saucepot, add water and sugar. Heat on medium-low heat just until the sugar is dissolved to make a simple syrup. Allow it to cool to room temperature or transfer to the fridge until it is no longer hot.
Make cranberry lemonade
To a large pitcher, add cooled simple syrup, the remaining 2 cups of water, squeezed lemon juice, and cranberry juice. (I strained the lemonade to get rid of the lemon pulp). Add frozen cranberries and serve over ice.
Looking For More Recipes?
- Cranberry Ginger Mocktail
- Blood Orange Ginger Mocktail
- Strawberry Green Tea Lemonade
- Homemade Raspberry Lemonade Recipe
- Strawberry Lemonade Popsicles
- Watermelon Mint Lemonade
- Mint Ginger Lemonade with Homemade Mint Ginger Syrup
- Iced Tea Lemonade (Arnold Palmer Drink)
- Lavender Bee’s Knees Mocktail (Non-Alcoholic)
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Cranberry Lemonade
Equipment
- Small saucepot
Ingredients
- 3 cups water divided
- ¾ cup cane sugar or granulated white sugar
- 1 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice 5 – 6 lemons
- 1 – 1 ¼ cups cranberry juice 100% pure cranberry juice
- Ice for serving
Optional
- ½ cup frozen cranberries optional for garnish, and keeps the lemonade cold if you aren’t serving with ice
Instructions
Make simple syrup
- In a small sauce pot, add 1 cup water and 3/4 cup of sugar. Heat on medium-low heat just until the sugar is dissolved to make a simple syrup. Allow it to cool to room temperature or transfer to the fridge until the syrup is no longer hot.3 cups water, ¾ cup cane sugar or granulated white sugar
Make cranberry lemonade
- To a large pitcher, add cooled simple syrup, the remaining 2 cups of water, squeezed lemon juice, and cranberry juice. Start with 1 cup of cranberry juice taste it then add the other 1/4 cup to taste. (I strained the lemonade to get rid of the lemon pulp). Add frozen cranberries, if using, then serve over ice.1 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice, 1 – 1 ¼ cups cranberry juice, Ice for serving
Notes
How To Store/ Make Ahead
Store in the refrigerator for up to 5 days, stored in an airtight sealed jar or pitcher.Tips and Tricks
- Sugar – Use white granulated sugar or cane sugar. Make it refined sugar-free by using stevia or honey instead. Make sure to dissolve the honey in warm water so it doesn’t clump in your lemonade.
- Lemons – Use large lemons with thin skin; these usually have more juice and less pulp and pilth(the white part of the lemon). Allow the lemons to come to room temperature and roll them before cutting and juicing them.
- 100% pure cranberry juice – Be sure to use 100% cranberry juice and not a cranberry juice blend because they contain added sugars and other juices. You really want the pure tart cranberry juice flavor for this lemonade recipe.
