Rose lemonade is a cooling, elegant treat perfect for hot summer days. It’s crisp, lightly floral, and refreshing, especially when served over lots of ice with delicate rose petals floating on top. Whether you’re hosting a backyard barbecue, lounging by the pool, or enjoying a quiet afternoon on the patio, this drink captures the essence of summer in every sip.
When Life Gives You Lemons
Here in Southern California, summer afternoons can get warm quickly. I’m lucky enough to have a lemon tree just outside my window, overflowing with bright yellow lemons. To make sure none go to waste, I process them as soon as they’re ripe. I also have neighbors with extra lemons and I’m always happy to receive a donation. I have some of those lemons in my freezer.
Yikes! No, actually, I have frozen lemon juice ice cubes that I made last month with my Kitchenaid *citrus juicer attachment. Each cube is about the same as the juice of one lemon, so you can add it to other things as well. I also have frozen lemon slices in the freezer to add to ice water. So, if you are wondering what to do when someone gives you a lot of lemons, that’s what you do. Squeeze some and slice some. Lemons are wonderful!
Pro tip: When you make lemonade, be sure and include some of the rinds because it gives lemonade a very fresh flavor. You can put the rind in a bowl and squeeze it with the back of a spoon. The liquid produced from that will have some of the lemon oil in it.
Roses, Roses, Roses
You might think that roses are only for putting in a vase as a Valentine’s or Mother’s Day gift. However, roses are used all over the world in different foods. They are also high in fiber and mostly water, so they are very low calorie, with some extra vitamin C. Some roses are sweeter than others – usually, a rose in full bloom is going to be sweeter than a baby rose.
You will find that most recipes for pink lemonade call for red grape juice in order to make the drink pink. Not here. One component of my lemonade is a little unusual. If you can get to a Mediterranean or Armenian store, you can find Rose Syrup. It’s great in a lot of things, but lemonade in particular. If you don’t have a Mediterranean or Armenian store near you, you can order *Rose Syrup from Amazon.
Why Rose Lemonade Works
This lemonade is all about balance. The sharpness of fresh lemon juice is mellowed by the sweet, floral depth of rose syrup, creating a refreshing, cooling drink that feels special—perfect for picnics, backyard BBQs, or a relaxing summer afternoon on the porch.
I Can’t Find Rose Syrup
If you can’t find rose syrup, you can use rose water. Rose water is not sweet, so you might have to add a little extra sugar. You will miss the lovely pink hue as well, but you can add a little red or pink food coloring.
Pairing Suggestions
Rose lemonade pairs beautifully with:
- Light summer salads with fruit or edible flowers, like our Orange Cashew Ranch Salad.
- Grilled chicken or or Smoked Salmon with Dill Rub
- Mediterranean dishes such as Tabbouleh or Eech
- Delicate desserts like or Strawberry Rose Tiramisu, our no-bake dessert.
Storage Tips
- Refrigerator: Keep prepared rose lemonade in a sealed pitcher in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Freezer: For long-term storage, freeze lemonade concentrate (without ice or water) in freezer-safe containers. Thaw and dilute with cold water when ready to serve.
Rose lemonade combines the tartness of fresh lemons with the sweet floral notes of rose syrup for the perfect summer drink. Freeze lemons ahead of time to always have fresh citrus on hand, then mix with rose syrup for a quick, cooling, and elegant beverage.
Can I make rose lemonade without rose syrup?
Yes, you can use rose water. However, rose water is rather bitter so you might have to add more sugar.
Is rose lemonade alcoholic?
No, it’s not. It’s a safe favorite for children. For adults, you can make a separate pitcher and add tequila, rum or vodka. Remember to drink responsibly!
Can I use bottled lemon juice?
No. Bottled lemon juice tastes awful and it doesn’t matter how much rose syrup or sugar you add, it won’t cover the taste.
If you want good lemon flavor and don’t have lemons, use *True Lemon. If you have fresh limes, you could use those, too.
Recipe for the Rose Lemonade:
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Rose Lemonade
Tips from the Chef
Equipment
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Ingredients
- 2 Lemon, 2 lemon cubes or juice of 2 lemons
- 24 ounce Water, cold
- 2 cups Ice
Syrup
- 8 ounce Water, boiling
- ½ cup sugar
- 1 teaspoon Rose Syrup
Instructions
- 8 ounce Water, 1/2 cup sugar, 1 teaspoon Rose SyrupMake the syrup by bringing 1 cup of water and 1/2 cup of sugar to a boil. Boil the mixture until the sugar is disolved and remove from the heat. Add the rose syrup and refrigerate until it is cold, about 1 hour.
- 2 LemonJuice 2 lemons using the citrus juicer attachment. Put the rinds in a bowl and smash them with the back of a spoon. Strain the liquid and add it to the lemon juice.
- 24 ounce Water, 2 cups IcePut cold water and ice in a tall pitcher. Add the lemon juice and refrigerated syrup. Mix well and serve in tall glasses. Serve immediately. You could float rose petals on top as a garnish.
Nutrition
Note: This post and recipe were originally published on April 14, 2010. If you want the original text, please feel free to drop by The Internet Archive, look at it, and while you’re there, support them with a generous donation.
