Best Lemonade Mixes
When life hands you a bunch of lemons, what do you do? You make lemonade, of course. Just cut them up, squeeze the juice into a pitcher of clear cold water, add sugar to taste, and you’ve got a refreshingly delicious glass of sunshine.
We all have memories of childhood lemonade stands. Set up outside the house with a pitcher filled with cold water, lemon juice and sugar, it was a way to make some extra pocket money and beat the heat. It was always just a bit too sweet, or a bit too tart, but no one seemed to care. It was the epitome of a refreshing drink on a hot summer’s day.
These days, you can save your lemons for fish and as a garnish for cocktails. Delicious-tasting lemonade is so ubiquitous; it’s available in a variety of formats, including powdered mixes. So convenient, lemonade mixes come in large-batch tins, pouches or even single-use packets.
We narrow down the six best lemonade mixes you can buy online. Read on to find the one that’s right for you.
1. Best for Energy: Key Nutrients Lemonade Electrolyte Powder and Supplement
Key Nutrients’ Lemonade Electrolyte Powder is fantastic for those on the go looking to squeak out extra energy. One of the things we really liked about this powder was its sugar-free, calorie-free, and carb-free approach. To counteract this Key Nutrients uses stevia extract as a sweetener. Key Nutrients also packs this lemonade with 12 vitamins for an extra boost. One of these vitamins is B2, which naturally colors the lemonade a brighter shade than you might otherwise be used to. The fact that it’s also caffeine free and GMO-free is another big plus.
Keep in mind that this lemonade powder won’t replicate that front-porch feeling. Key Nutrients’ focus is on keeping you charged all day long. You’ll get about 90 servings out of a single jar, which compares very favorably with other competitors. The customer service team is also quite responsive, based upon consumer reviews.
As a keto-friendly powder this lemonade powder is best for those who are looking to calorie count or recharge after a workout.
Pros
- Sugar, calorie, caffeine, GMO, and carb free.
- Includes 12-vitamins
- Recharges electrolytes
Cons
- Some consumers report issues with fully dissolving the powder in water
2. Top Pick Caffeine-Free: Country Time Lemonade Mix
You’re trying to kick your coffee habit. You’ve been drinking so much caffeinated coffee that by mid-afternoon, you’re starting to feel jittery. You want to replace coffee with a refreshing alternative that’s caffeine-free. Plain water is boring, and herbal teas are not your thing. If you are looking for a beverage that has no artificial sweeteners or flavors and has no caffeine, then this is the product for you.
We recommend Country Time Lemonade. This delicious lemonade beverage comes in a convenient, resealable canister so you can make individual servings or a pitcher to keep in the fridge for enough lemonade for the whole day.
It’s so easy to make. To prepare a pitcher, measure the lemonade mix into the cap to the two-quart line. You can add more or less to taste. Pour the powder into a pitcher and add eight cups of water, enough to make two quarts. Stir to dissolve. If you prefer to make a single serving in an eight fluid ounce glass, measure one rounded tablespoon of the powdered mix into a glass, add eight ounces of cold water and ice, stir to dissolve and enjoy. Replace the cap on the canister and close tightly to retain freshness.
This lemonade mix has no artificial sweeteners or flavors, is fat-free, gluten-free, caffeine-free and Kosher certified, with only 60 calories per serving. What’s not to like?
Ingredients: Sugar, fructose, citric acid, contains less than 2% of maltodextrin, sodium acid pyrophosphate, magnesium oxide, sodium citrate, ascorbic acid (vitamin c), natural flavor, artificial color, yellow 5 lake, soy lecithin, tocopherol (preserves freshness).
Pros:
- Caffeine free
- Only 60 calories per serving
- Easy to make
- Each serving contains 10 percent of the adult daily Vitamin C requirement
- 136 servings per container
Cons:
- Contains 24 grams of sugar per serving
- Contains preservatives and color
3. Best All-Natural: True Lemon Lemonade
Lemonade was one of your favorite drinks when you were a kid and now, as an adult and a parent, you still love it. But with a busy life, you just don’t have time to squeeze fresh lemons to make enough lemonade to quench the thirst of you and your family. You shy away from buying from concentrate, as that can be expensive, and prefer a mix that makes more servings. The thing is, so many mixes have artificial colors, preservatives and tons of sugar, all ingredients you don’t want in your diet. You’d also like the ease of individual servings to take on the go. If you’re looking for a more natural lemonade with no preservatives, then this product is for you.
We recommend True Lemon Lemonade 30-count as a delicious, natural way to drink more water. Made from real lemon juice and oil, sweetened with Stevia and natural sugar with naturally derived colors from fruit and vegetables, you’re sure to feel good about drinking it and giving it to your family.
This lemonade is also non-GMO, gluten and sodium-free, with only 10 calories, one gram of sugar and 25 percent of an adult’s daily Vitamin C requirement per packet. Each box contains 30 packets to make enough delicious lemonade for everyone.
Ingredients: Crystallized lemon [citric acid, lemon oil, lemon juice], cane sugar, stevia leaf extract, natural flavor and beta-carotene (for color).
Pros:
- All natural ingredients
- Made from crystallized lemon
- 10 calories per packet
- One gram of sugar per packet
- Non-GMO, gluten and sodium-free
Cons:
- Individual servings only
4. Best On-the-Go: Crystal Light Pure Lemonade On The Go Drink Mix
You’re always looking for a refreshing drink to have on the go. You always carry a water bottle but sometimes, water just doesn’t cut it. You want something with flavor, preferably something tangy and sweet, like lemonade. If you want to be able to take a few packs of powdered lemonade with you to mix up any time and anywhere during the day, then we recommend Crystal Light Pure Lemonade On The Go Drink Mix.
Each box contains seven individual packets that you can mix up with two cups of water (16.9 fluid ounces). Just empty one packet into your water bottle, add water, shake or stir until the powder is dissolved, and enjoy. It’s as easy as that.
Sweetened naturally with sugar and stevia leaf extract, each eight-ounce portion has only five calories. Gluten-free and Kosher, it’s all you need for a quick and satisfying drink, any time of the day.
Ingredients: Sugar, citric acid, sodium citrate, stevia leaf extract (sweetener), contains less than 2% of natural flavor, magnesium oxide, soy lecithin, turmeric oleoresin (for color).
Pros:
- Individual servings good to make anywhere
- Only five calories per eight-ounce serving
- Flavor sourced from lemon and other natural flavor
Cons:
- Only makes individual servings
- Contains soy
5. Best Water Enhancer: MiO Lemonade Water Enhancer
Water is your go-to beverage, and you drink a lot of it every day. Nonetheless, every now and then you’d like to up the flavor a bit, without adding any sugar or fat. You used to love lemonade as a child, and are looking for the taste of lemon that’s more powerful than just adding a slice of the citrus fruit to your water bottle.
To add a flavorful lemony kick to your water, we recommend MiO Lemonade Water Enhancer. This package contains six, 1.62 fluid ounce bottles of this liquid water enhancer that delivers a refreshing lemon flavor in every squeeze.
So easy to carry, you can take it anywhere. Does not need to be refrigerated and all you need is one squeeze for each eight-ounce serving. You’d be amazed at how a little bit goes a long way.
Ingredients: Water, citric acid, sodium citrate, gum arabic, sucralose (sweetener), contains less than 2% of natural flavor, sucrose acetate isobutyrate, yellow 5, sodium benzoate and potassium sorbate (preservatives).
Pros:
- Convenient to use
- A small amount goes a long way
- Zero calories
Cons:
- Contains preservatives
- Contains artificial sweeteners
- Individual use only
- More expensive than other products
6. Best Caffeinated: Wyler’s Light Singles to Go Caffeinated Drink Mix
During hot, summer days, all you can think about is staying hydrated. You’re so busy running around, that by mid-day, you get tired. It’s too hot to have a coffee pick-up and you’ve never liked iced coffee, so you’re looking for a light, cool and refreshing caffeinated drink to quench your thirst throughout the day.
We recommend Wyler’s Light Singles to Go Caffeinated Drink Mix. This lemon-flavored drink has tea in it for a bit of a caffeine kick, while providing a delicious lemonade treat. Sugar-free and only five calories per serving, you can sip on this all day long for energy and a dose of Vitamin C.
Just pour the contents of a package into your water bottle, add water, shake and enjoy. Easy and delicious.
Ingredients: Citric acid, maltodextrin, instant tea, aspartame, natural and artificial flavors, contains 2 % or less of the following: acesulfame potassium, magnesium oxide, ascorbic acid (Vitamin C), Red 40, Yellow 5, Blue 1. Contains phenylalanine.
Pros:
- Only five calories
- Has 10 percent of the adult daily requirement of Vitamin C per serving
- Portable for on-the-go
Cons:
- Contains caffeine
- Contains artificial flavors, artificial sweetener and color
Things to look out for
What you decide to choose really comes down to your personal preference, needs and taste. Nonetheless, when buying a lemonade mix, here are some things to consider.
Flavor
This is probably one of the most important things to consider before choosing a lemonade mix. We are all so different; some of us prefer a sweeter drink while others prefer something tangier. You may want a full lemon flavor, or perhaps something subtler. Generally speaking, a lemonade mix that has real lemon as an ingredient will have a more full-bodied taste. Check how many grams of sugar per serving. Obviously, less sugar will be less sweet, a lot of sugar very sweet.
Ingredients
The lemonade mix you choose is not just about the flavor. Many people read labels and are interested to know what goes into making the product. Some lemonade mixes are all natural, made from real lemons, real sugar, with no colors, artificial flavors or coloring. If you like purity, choose a simple ingredient list. If you’re watching calories or can’t have refined sugar, look for a product that sweetens with a natural product like Stevia leaf, or artificial sweeteners. For added nutritional benefit, you may want a product that has Vitamin C or electrolytes.
Capacity
Before choosing a lemonade mix, consider how you’re going to use it. Do you have a large family? If so, you may want to purchase a mix that comes in a large canister or pouch so you can mix up a pitcher at a time to keep in the fridge. Conversely, if you’re just one person, or you’re looking for something portable that you can take with you and add to your water bottle when the mood hits, then choose a format such as packets or sticks that are for one or two servings that you can make on the go.
FAQ
Is powdered lemonade mix good for you?
Powdered lemonade can be great, healthy way of keeping your favorite summer drink at hand. With that said, you always want to double check that your lemonade concentrate is made with high-quality ingredients. This is always the first step to a healthy kitchen, but it’s an important one. Try to stay away from products that use artificial colors and sweeteners such as aspartame, sucralose, stevia and the like. While approved by the FDA, it’s always best to find powdered lemonade that has as few of these additives as possible.
What are lemonade mixes made of?
Lemonade mixes are usually made out of water, lemons and sugar. Depending on the brand there may also be additional sweeteners like corn syrup. You’ll also want to be on the look-out for other additives such as coloring agents.
Which kind of lemonade mix tastes better?
The best kind of lemonade concentrate relies on a combination of real sugar and real lemons. This leads to a fresh, tart taste. Lemonade concentrates that include stevia or the like rank lower on our list, but tend to be sweeter. Ultimately it’s best to enjoy lemonade the way you like best. In particular look out for coloring agents like Yellow-5 in the ingredients section.
Does liquid concentrate lemonade go bad?
Fresh lemonade concentrate will last for about three weeks in your refrigerator. If you freeze your lemonade concentrate then it will last six months instead. In the event that your lemonade develops an odor, flavor, or mold.
How do you store lemonade concentrate?
Lemonade concentrate should be stored in a cool place like a fridge or a freezer. Although you can store lemonade in a cold cellar it won’t tend to last more than one week.