Frozen Lemonade

If you’re looking for a refreshing way to beat the summer heat, this homemade Frozen Lemonade recipe is a must-try! Fresh lemon juice, honey, and ice are blended together to get a light and healthy iced drink. But the real secret to why this recipe is the best?! It’s all in the lemon zest that adds a burst of fresh flavor!

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If you’ve ever been to Texas, you know how HOT it gets in the summer! (In fact, “hot” has been quite the understatement lately!)

On a scorcher of a July day, I needed something to take the edge off. I quickly juiced a few lemons and tossed the juice into the blender with a bit of honey and ice, blending it until smooth.

It was good, but not quite good enough—something was missing.

Then it hit me: it needed a bit of lemon zest for that deliciously bold lemon taste!

Once the fresh citrus zest was added, it became the absolute PERFECT homemade frozen lemonade. And it was so quick and easy to make! It had the lemon flavor of classic lemonade but in the form of a frozen treat. Plus, NO high fructose corn syrup.

(And if you like your frozen summer drinks with an adult twist, you’ve gotta check out this Frozen Mojito, Watermelon Frosé, and this Easy Pina Colada recipe!)

The 4 Ingredients You’ll Need

Notes about the ingredients needed for this frozen lemonade recipe are below. Jump to recipe for the exact measurements.

• Lemons. Fresh lemon juice and lemon zest are used in this recipe. You’ll need about 4-5 medium-sized lemons to get enough juice.
• Sweetener. A number of different sweeteners work for this drink. It completely depends on your preference. Honey is the ideal sweetener. It pairs perfectly with the tart lemon juice and adds a nice floral flavor to the drink. Agave nectar is a solid choice if you are vegan. Regular white sugar—or better yet, your own simple syrup—can be subbed for honey if you do not care to avoid refined sugar. Liquid or powder Stevia can be used in place of the high-sugar sweeteners if you are on a low-carb diet.
• Ice. The amount of ice you use will largely depend on how thick and slushy you want your frozen lemonade.
• Water. A little bit of water is added to help thin out the drink. You can add as little or as much as you’d like.

2. Combine ingredients in a blender.

One of the most crucial elements when making frozen drinks at home is to use a very good high-powered blender.

While cheaper blenders will work decently, you’ll get a super smooth, and more slushy-like consistency if you use a more powerful blender such as a Vitamix.

Add fruit juice, zest, honey, ice, and water to a blender. Use medium speed and blend for 1-2 minutes, or until completely smooth.

Check the consistency. Add more ice if you would like it thicker or additional water if you would like it smoother.

Make it Cute!

This recipe yields enough frozen lemonade for about 4 servings, enough for the whole family.

My favorite way to serve this summer drink is in a cute mason jar with a paper straw and a lemon peel or fresh lemon slices on the rim.

If you want to get a little fancy, you can even give it a sugared rim, too. You can use the same method you use to salt a rim for a margarita.

Don’t want the glass? Pour this lemon slushy into a plastic cup for the littles or to drink poolside.

How to Make a Batch Ahead of Time

Prepare the frozen lemonade and place it in a freezer safe plastic container.

When ready to serve, pull it out 30 minutes to an hour in advance. If you’re pressed for time you can also pop the slightly thawed out mixture into the microwave to get it to melt more before blending.

Let some of it melt before you add it back to the blender. Blend until smooth and to your desired consistency.

Flavor Variations

Want to change this recipe up a bit? Here are a few other ideas you can try out:

• Use limes instead of lemons and agave nectar for the sweetener. (Or try out a mocktail version of this Frozen Mojito!)
• Fresh orange juice and zest would also taste delicious.
• Make an adult beverage by adding in a bit of vodka for a spiked lemonade.

Other Frozen Drink Recipe

If you want a few more frozen drink ideas for summer, you might also enjoy these easy recipes.

Watermelon Frosé, Frozen Mojito, Piña Colada, Watermelon Margarita, and Mango Margarita are delicious all summer long.

For the kids, opt for Frozen Fruit Smoothies. 

Homemade Sorbet isn’t necessarily a drink, but it’s refreshing all the same. Try Peach Sorbet, Mango Sorbet, Lemon Sorbet, Lime Sorbet, and Strawberry Sorbet.