limonades

Limonades are beverages based on lemon juice designed to be refreshingly acidic and sweet. They are typically prepared with lemon juice or fresh lemons, water, and a sweetener such as sugar or syrup. They may be served still or carbonated and can be made at home or produced commercially. The flavor profile centers on the bright, tart notes of lemon balanced by sweetness.

Preparation commonly involves juicing lemons and straining the pulp, dissolving the sweetener—often by making a simple syrup—then combining with water. For a sparkling version, the drink can be mixed with or finished with sparkling water or carbonated. Common additions include lemon zest, mint, ginger, or fruit purées. Pink lemonade is produced by adding fruit juice or coloring to create a pink hue.

Origins and regional usage trace lemon-based drinks with added sugar to Europe, with recipes appearing in the 17th century. In English, the term lemonade is standard, while in other languages the equivalents (limonade, limonata, etc.) may refer to both still lemon beverages and lemon-flavored sodas, with carbonation often marking a distinct category. In many places, limonades encompass a family of lemon-flavored beverages rather than a single recipe.

Variants include still lemonade, sparkling lemonade, pink lemonade, and infusions such as ginger-lemon or herb-infused versions. Fruit additions (raspberry, strawberry, or cucumber, for example) are common in commercial and homemade preparations. Commercial limonades range from mass-market sodas to craft syrups and mixers used for home mixing or cocktails.

Nutritionally, limonades provide water and sugar with the vitamin C from lemon juice. Sugar content varies; sugar-free or reduced-calorie versions use alternative sweeteners. They are widely consumed as non-alcoholic refreshments, especially in warm weather, and as bases for mixed drinks.