Honey Lemonade: Classic, Sparkling and Herb-Infused
Honey lemonade is a refreshing upgrade to the classic summer drink. Honey brings floral sweetness that pairs beautifully with tart lemon, and a simple honey syrup makes it blend smoothly into cold water. This article shares the base honey lemonade recipe, sweetness levels, sparkling, berry, herb and ginger variations, and which honeys taste best. For a warm version, see our honey lemon water guide.
For general education only, not medical advice. Our honey is a food and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
Why honey in lemonade
Honey's floral notes add depth to lemonade that plain sugar cannot. A citrusy honey like orange blossom echoes the lemon, while clover keeps the flavor clean and classic. Honey is also slightly sweeter than sugar, so you can use a bit less.
Make honey syrup first
Honey does not dissolve well in cold water and tends to sink in a sticky blob. Stir equal parts honey and warm water until smooth, then cool. This honey syrup mixes easily into lemonade, iced tea and cocktails and keeps for about two weeks in the fridge.
- 1/2 cup honey
- 1/2 cup warm water
- Stir until dissolved
- Cool before mixing
- Refrigerate up to 2 weeks
Base honey lemonade recipe
Combine one cup of fresh lemon juice (about 5 to 6 lemons), one cup of honey syrup and four to five cups of cold water in a pitcher. Stir, taste and adjust with more water or syrup. Serve over ice with lemon slices.
Rolling lemons on the counter before juicing releases more juice.
Sweetness levels
Adjust honey syrup to your taste:
| Style | Honey syrup per 1 cup lemon juice |
|---|---|
| Tart | 3/4 cup |
| Classic | 1 cup |
| Sweet | 1 1/4 cups |
Sparkling honey lemonade
Mix lemon juice and honey syrup in a pitcher, then top with sparkling water just before serving to keep the bubbles. Add a few lemon wheels and mint sprigs. It feels festive and is perfect for parties.
Berry honey lemonade
Muddle a cup of strawberries, raspberries or blueberries in the pitcher before adding lemon juice, honey syrup and water. Strain if you prefer it smooth. Blueberry blossom honey is a natural pairing. Our article on honey and berries has more ideas.
Herb and floral lemonades
Steep a handful of mint, basil, rosemary or a teaspoon of dried lavender in the warm water before making honey syrup, then strain. Each herb gives the lemonade a different personality. Our article on honey and mint covers mint syrup.
Ginger honey lemonade
Simmer a two-inch piece of sliced ginger in the water for five minutes before stirring in honey. The warmth of ginger balances the tart lemon. Our article on honey and ginger explores the pairing.
Arnold Palmer with honey
Mix equal parts honey lemonade and unsweetened iced tea for a honey Arnold Palmer. Our article on honey iced tea explains how to brew it.
Sugar and serving size
A glass of homemade honey lemonade can contain 15 to 25 grams of sugar, depending on strength. The American Heart Association suggests limiting added sugars, so enjoy lemonade as a treat or make a lighter version with more water.
Protect your teeth
Lemonade is acidic and sweet. Drink it with meals or through a straw, and rinse with water afterward to protect tooth enamel.
Which honey for lemonade
Raw Orange Blossom Honey, from Florida, has a citrus-blossom aroma that makes lemonade sing. Raw Clover Honey, harvested in New York State, keeps it clean and classic. Raw Blueberry Blossom Honey suits berry lemonade.
Kids and honey lemonade
Children over 12 months can enjoy honey lemonade in small amounts. Never give honey to babies under 12 months, as the CDC advises.
The takeaway on honey lemonade
Honey lemonade is easy with a honey syrup base. Mix with fresh lemon juice and cold water, adjust sweetness, and try sparkling, berry, herb or ginger versions.
Honey lemonade for a crowd
For a party of twenty, make about two gallons. Stir four cups of honey into four cups of warm water for syrup, then combine with about six cups of fresh lemon juice and five quarts of cold water in a large dispenser. Taste and adjust. Add ice to glasses rather than the dispenser so the honey lemonade does not get watered down, and set out lemon slices and mint for guests.
Make the syrup and juice a day ahead and mix with water just before the party.
Frozen honey lemonade and pops
Blend honey lemonade with plenty of ice for a slushy, or pour it into ice pop molds with a few berries and freeze for six hours. Freezing dulls sweetness slightly, so make the mix a little sweeter than you would drink it.
Fresh lemons vs bottled juice
Fresh lemons give the brightest flavor. Bottled juice works in a pinch, but it tastes flatter, so add a little lemon zest to bring back aroma. Meyer lemons are sweeter and less acidic, so you may need less honey.
Pour a brighter glass
Make your next pitcher with Raw Orange Blossom Honey. Save with a 3 jar or 6 jar pack of any honey, and orders over $50 ship free. Visit our shop.
Sources
Outside health sources we used for this article. They open in a new tab.
- How much sugar is too much? · American Heart Association
- Foods and Drinks to Avoid or Limit (infants and toddlers) · Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- Honey: nutrient profile · USDA FoodData Central
Frequently asked questions
- How do I make honey lemonade?
- Mix fresh lemon juice with honey syrup and cold water.
- Why does honey clump in lemonade?
- Honey does not dissolve in cold water. Make a honey syrup first.
- How much honey per pitcher?
- About half a cup of honey, as syrup, per cup of lemon juice.
- Which honey is best for lemonade?
- Orange blossom for citrus aroma; clover for classic flavor.
- How long does honey syrup last?
- About two weeks in the fridge.
- Can I make sparkling honey lemonade?
- Yes. Add sparkling water just before serving.
- Can kids drink honey lemonade?
- Children over 12 months can. Never give honey to babies.
Al Safa Honey is a food producer, not a medical provider. Nothing here is medical advice, and these statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Talk to your doctor about any health concern. Never give honey of any kind to a baby under 12 months old.
