How to Make the Perfect Apple Cider Lemonade
American · Easy · 8 min · 4 servings
This delightful apple cider lemonade combines fresh apple cider with tangy lemon juice and sparkling water for a fall-inspired yet year-round refreshing drink. This sparkling apple lemonade recipe brings together orchard sweetness and citrus brightness in one beautifully balanced glass.
Why this recipe works
This Apple Cider Lemonade recipe has been crafted to deliver restaurant-quality results in your home kitchen. At just 8 minutes from start to finish, it fits perfectly into a busy schedule without sacrificing flavor. Each serving comes in at 102 calories with 0g of protein, making it a balanced choice for any meal.
What you will need
This recipe uses 5 simple ingredients that you can find at any grocery store:
- 2 cups fresh apple cider
- 0.5 cup fresh lemon juice
- 2 cups sparkling water
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 2 cups ice
Step by step instructions
Step 1: Combine Cider and Lemon
In a large pitcher whisk together apple cider, fresh lemon juice, and honey until the honey is fully dissolved.
Step 2: Add Sparkling Water
Slowly pour in the sparkling water and give a gentle stir to combine without deflating the bubbles.
Step 3: Serve Chilled
Pour over ice-filled glasses and garnish with thin apple slices and a lemon wedge for a beautiful presentation.
Easy substitutions
Missing an ingredient? Here are some swaps that work perfectly:
- fresh apple cider → unfiltered apple juice
- honey → maple syrup for a deeper fall flavor
Common mistakes to avoid
Watch out for these pitfalls that can affect your results:
- Using sweetened apple juice instead of fresh cider which makes the drink overly sweet
- Mixing hours ahead of serving which causes the drink to lose all its fizz
Nutrition facts
Per serving: 102 calories, 0g protein, 25g carbs, 0g fat, 0g fiber.
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