Keto Lemonade
This post may contain affiliate links. See my disclosure policy.
This keto lemonade recipe is low-carb, sugar-free, and made with 3 simple ingredients. It’s my favorite refreshing drink on a warm summer day. 0 grams of net carbs.
Table of Contents
Can you drink lemonade on keto?
Growing up, my mom always made sure we had a pitcher of homemade lemonade in the fridge. While ours was loaded with sugar, I decided to give it a low-carb makeover.
It’s actually one of the easiest drinks to make keto, and the trick is to use a sweetener that dissolves easily in water. Through testing, I found that a liquid sweetener works much better than granulated.
Here’s why I make this low carb lemonade on repeat:
- Made with 3 ingredients. No special ingredients are needed, so I can make it on a whim.
- Fun to customize. I’m boring and like my lemonade plain, but there are countless ways to customize this base recipe to make it different every time. I’ll give you plenty of ideas later on.
- Easy to make ahead. I make a double batch of low-carb lemonade every summer. It stores wonderfully and tastes just as fresh the next day.
- No fake sugary aftertaste. There are plenty of sugar-free lemonades on the market, but I’ll be honest: I’ve yet to find one without a bitter or metallic aftertaste. I use a keto simple syrup to guarantee a clean, smooth sweetness with no bitter aftertaste.
Ingredients needed
- Sugar free simple syrup. I used a homemade keto simple syrup. All you need is water and sugar free sweetener (I like allulose). Granulated sweeteners like erythritol and monk fruit don’t dissolve in cold water, leaving things grainy. I never use stevia because it usually turns out bitter.
- Lemon juice. Fresh lemon juice is always my first choice, but bottled juice works in a pinch. Opt for a good quality brand, as some can be quite bitter.
- Water OR seltzer water. Use water if you are making traditional lemonade, but seltzer works if you are serving it immediately (seltzer goes flat quickly).
How to make keto lemonade
Full measurements are in the recipe card below.
Step 1- Combine ingredients. In a glass jug, add the simple syrup and lemon juice and whisk together. Add water and stir until combined.
Step 2- Serve. Pour into glasses filled with ice, and refrigerate the remaining lemonade.
Recipe tips and variations
- Make lemonade ice cubes. This is my #1 hack for drinks that I don’t want to get diluted. Simply make some extra lemonade and freeze it in an ice cube tray. When you’re ready to pour a glass, use the lemonade ice cubes instead.
- Make lemon syrup. If you omit the water in this recipe, you’ll end up with a concentrated lemon simple syrup that’ll stay fresh in the fridge for up to 1 month. When you’re ready to make lemonade, just add 3 tablespoons of lemon simple for every 1 cup of water.
- Add a pinch of sea salt for even more natural electrolytes.
- Garnish. I like to add a few lemon slices to the pitcher when serving to give it that restaurant feel.
- Add other fruits. I love muddling some fresh berries (raspberries and blackberries are my favorites) directly into the pitcher. It turns the lemonade a beautiful pink and adds a natural sweetness.
- Swap the citrus. I make this with limes once a week during the summer, and my partner prefers it to lemon.
- Add herbs. I like to add a few mint leaves, rosemary sprigs, or lavender to brighten the drink and add a pop of color.
Storage instructions
To store: Place the prepared lemonade (with water) in a glass jar or bottle and refrigerate for up to 2 weeks. I don’t recommend storing leftovers when made with seltzer as it will go flat.
To serve: Add 2-3 ice cubes into a glass and fill with homemade lemonade.
Keto Lemonade
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup keto simple syrup
- 1/4 cup lemon juice
- 8 cups water * See notes
Instructions
- In a glass jug, add your simple syrup and lemon juice and whisk together. Add your water and whisk until combined.
- Pour into glasses filled with ice, and refrigerate leftovers.
1/4 cup simple syrup and 1/4 cup lemon juice to 8 cups water means 16-1 water to lemon syrup
this doesnt equal 3 table spoons of lemon syrup per 1 cup water. closer to 8-1 water to lemon syrup.
so which is correct
Hi Sam! Sorry what are you referring to? Is this a personal calculation for making your own lemonade?
it was never mentioned in this article what kind of sweetener goes into simple syrup obviously it’s not sugar is it monk fruit sugar is it erythral sugar or however you spell that is it coconut sugar stevia? please and thank you Tatiana
Check out the link for simple syrup, all of it is included there 🙂