3 Ways to Fancy Up Lemonade with Just 1 Ingredient

updated May 1, 2019
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(Image credit: Jenny Huang)

On a warm day, there’s nothing quite like the refreshment you get from sipping a glass of lemonade. There’s something about it that just makes you slow down for a minute and soak up the sunshine. Its sweet tang is perfect on its own, but I dare you to go beyond the usual — add a little sparkle and extra flair by simply stirring in just one ingredient.

It doesn’t matter whether you rely on a big bottle of the store-bought stuff or whip up a pitcher yourself — simply pour yourself a tall glass over ice and stir in one of these game-changing add-ins for a fancy twist on the classic. Fun straw optional, but encouraged.

(Image credit: Jenny Huang)

1. Make instant pink lemonade with your favorite jam.

We’re not saying that yellow lemonade isn’t a good time, but it’s pretty much a fact that pink lemonade is a whole lot more fun. Sipping a pink drink definitely signals a warm-weather party. Just stir 1/2 teaspoon of raspberry jam into a tall glass of lemonade and you’ve got a sweet and fruity pink raspberry lemonade.

(Image credit: Jenny Huang)

2. Borrow bitters from the bar cart for easy drama.

A few drops of bitters elevate a glass of lemonade into a refreshing mocktail, while bringing a welcome contrast to the sweet and sour flavor of the drink. Stir in 3 to 5 dashes of Angostura bitters, depending on your taste, into one glass of lemonade and feel a little bit more mysterious and refined.

(Image credit: Jenny Huang)

3. Go fragrant and floral with rose water.

Bring a bit of the garden to your glass with the subtle aroma of rose water. Just a whisper transforms any lemonade into a lush and romantic drink. Add 1/4 teaspoon of rose water to your lemonade to add just a hint of floral aroma that pairs so well with the tart lemon flavor.